Canada: Federal government invests in organic industry
Andy Hammermeister, professor and director of the centre at Dal AC, said the financial assistance will make a huge difference.
“This industry is growing rapidly … the domestic supply is not meeting domestic demand,” he said during the announcement.
Hammermeister said more than two years of work, including screening, applications, research and networking with partners, has gone into five main areas – field crops, horticulture, pest control, livestock and value adding, which is using raw products to end products.
“There’s been 37 activities and 200 researchers come together on this,” he said, adding federal funding – which will include 85 researchers receiving funds – will also assist with initiatives such as managing pest control, crop breeding, and improved greenhouse technology to extend growing seasons.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, who made the funding announcement, said industry focus has been on research, competitiveness, market potential, adaptability and sustainability.
Recent work has centred on activities focusing on expanding organic production for hops, sprouts, ornamental potted plants and poultry. Continued work will embrace crop breeding for improved cultivars, new reduced tillage systems for organic crops, soil improvement and plant health and pest management.
Ritz said the industry is advancing quickly.
“Fifty-eight per cent of Canadians are buying organic products every week (and) there are 4,000 organic farms in Canada,” he said, adding Canada has the fourth-largest organic market in the world.
“We are working on levelling the playing field,” Ritz said.
Source: trurodaily.com