Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
March 19, 2009
The
Government of Canada is investing in research that will
boost the Canadian economy and help farmers to increase their
production of sought-after Canadian canola. MP Brian Storseth
(Westlock-St. Paul) today announced a $1 million investment in
the Sustainable Cropping System Platforms for Biodiesel
Feedstock Quantity and Quality (SBQQ) research network.
"Our government is helping Canadian farmers thrive. Biodiesel
not only creates a new market for their crops, it opens the
possibility of farmers growing their own fuel," said Mr.
Storseth, who made the announcement on behalf of Federal
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This research network will
help farmers grow more canola more often, giving them a
competitive edge in the burgeoning biofuels industry, and giving
them more income, which will in turn boost the economy."
It is estimated that canola contributes over $11 billion
annually to the Canadian economy. For every $100 million of
additional canola that is demanded, a projected $83 million in
additional Canadian gross domestic product is generated and more
than 730 new jobs are created.
To find out the most effective ways to increase canola
production, the Sustainable Cropping System Platforms for
Biodiesel Feedstock Quantity and Quality (SBQQ) research network
will carry out a series of experiments conducted across the
major soil zones and ecoregions of Western Canada.
"Canola is a strong driver of our economy. The Alberta Canola
Producers' Commission is looking forward to the outcome of this
initiative, which should lead to increased profitability for
canola farmers and beneficial spin-offs for the entire
industry," said Kevin Auch, Chair of the Alberta Canola
Producers' Commission (ACPC), the lead organization for SBQQ.
Other participants include the University of Alberta, the
University of Saskatchewan, the Alberta Biodiesel Association,
Olds College, and the Canola Council of Canada.
Funding for this project is being provided through Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada's Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation
Program (ABIP), a federal funding program designed to integrate
Canada's talent from universities, industry and government in
order to stimulate creativity, leverage resources, reduce costs
and accelerate progress towards commercialization of bioproducts
and bioprocesses.
For additional information about ABIP, please visit
www.agr.gc.ca/abip. |
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