Crop research $14.8M from governments


The federal government and Saskatchewan have committed nearly $15 million to crop research this year.

Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food, Lawrence MacAulay, and Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister, Daryl Harrison, unveiled a $14.8 million investment in crop research for 2025. The funding includes $9.4 million from government sources and $5.4 million from industry partners.

“By investing in research, we’re investing in the future of the country’s agriculture industry,” MacAulay said. “This funding will provide research organizations the dollars they need to investigate solutions to production issues and to develop new opportunities for our crops sector, which in turn helps farmers compete globally and boost their bottom lines.”

The investment supports 53 projects through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). These projects aim to improve agriculture’s sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) funds the ADF.

Harrison highlighted the importance of long-term investments in research.

“Over the last five years, we have invested almost $50 million into crop-related research through the ADF,” he said. “That’s the kind of support that helps our producers stay competitive and profitable in international markets and helps Saskatchewan to keep setting the bar higher for sustainable practices and innovation in agriculture.”

The 2025 ADF projects address various issues, including mapping soil carbon in cropland, exploring genetic resistance to wheat stem sawfly, and studying the effects of pea-based beverages on bone health.

A competitive process awards ADF funds each year. Projects must show potential to enhance the agriculture sector’s sustainability and growth.

Industry partners, including the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and Western Grains Research Foundation, contributed $5.4 million to the 2025 projects.

Jake Leguee, chair of the Sask Wheat Board, praised the collaboration.

“The funding supports Sask Wheat’s research priorities in areas like disease and insect pressures, fertilizer management, and germplasm development,” he said. “These investments will address growers’ top concerns and improve profitability and competitiveness.”

Sustainable CAP, a $3.5 billion federal-provincial program, funds the ADF. It includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion in shared funding. The program supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-product sectors.

Harrison added that Saskatchewan’s 2024-25 agriculture research budget totals $37 million.

“We’re committed to ensuring the sector remains a global leader in sustainability and innovation,” he said.

This funding marks another step forward in advancing Canadian agriculture.

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Dan Gray
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