One year ago the Crops Processing Development Centre in Humboldt, Sask., was created as an addition to an existing program. Last week the Saskatchewan government announced that it would be providing money to equip the facility.
Designed to research non-food uses for prairie crops, the $1.4 million centre has begun work on fibreboard technologies and feed production projects.
As part of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, the centre will use PAMI’s experience in farm equipment development to create the tools necessary to process prairie crops into new products, such as automobile interior paneling and animal feeds.
The $450,000 paid out over two years will fund the installation of steam equipment, dust control and electrical supplies and support, said Bob Ellis, speaking for the province.
The centre was created out of funds from the Canada/Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund. The new money will come from the Strategic Initiatives Fund, a pool of money set aside by the province for the commercialization of scientific research.
