The Government of Canada, through PrairiesCan, is investing over $4.2 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector, aiming to boost innovation, production, and value-added activities. These investments target advanced breeding programs for crops and livestock, local grain bin manufacturing, food processing, and the promotion of value-added agriculture.
The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan will receive more than $1.6 million to develop a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program, enhancing crop and livestock improvement. Venlaw Manufacturing Ltd. will get $2.1 million to install novel automation equipment for local grain bin production, reducing reliance on imports and creating Canadian jobs. The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre will use $420,000 to expand co-packing capabilities and incubation space, while Ag-West Bio Inc. will receive $20,000 to organize the Agri-Value Forum, promoting value-added agriculture initiatives in the province.
Minister Eleanor Olszewski emphasized that these investments reinforce Saskatchewan’s global leadership in the agri-food sector, contributing to food security, economic growth, and job creation. Secretary of State Buckley Belanger highlighted that local producers and processors are positioned to grow, process, and sell more domestically and internationally.
Officials from GIFS noted that PrairiesCan’s support allows them to integrate cutting-edge technologies, such as high-throughput genotyping and data analytics, into market-focused programs, accelerating innovation and reducing the gap from discovery to commercialization. Venlaw Manufacturing co-owners stressed that federal funding is critical for capital-intensive ventures that produce Canadian-made products and create local employment.
Saskatchewan, which accounts for nearly 40% of Canada’s total farm area, has seen its value-added agriculture sector more than double over the past decade. The announced investments are expected to generate over 30 new jobs, $7 million in export revenue, and $51 million in new commercialization growth, further solidifying the province’s role as a hub of agricultural innovation.
