Grant programs that the Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan delivers for the federal government have created far reaching economic benefits, says a recent study.
The Insightrix Research study found that the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) and Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARDS) increased the value of goods and services by $66 million.
ACS executive director Laurie Dmytryshyn said the council has been delivering the programs since 1996.
“We really wanted to get a handle on the impacts,” she said.
However, much of the impact can’t be measured until years after a project has been implemented.
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She said the council also wanted to show the federal government what its money had accomplished.
From 1996 to April 29, 2008, the two programs provided $24.4 million to 1,129 eligible projects. That in turn generated industry funding to boost the value of the programs.
The total money increased Canada’s gross domestic product by $24.7 million and created 468 new jobs.
Dmytryshyn said recipients were asked how effective the grant program has been for their projects. More than 94 percent said very or somewhat effective.
As well, more than 99 percent deemed the next generation of ACAAFS funding as very or somewhat important.
The five-year ACAAFS was launched in 2004 as a successor to CARDS. Saskatchewan receives $3.7 million annually from the program, and ACS distributes it.
Dmytryshyn said the industry-led ACS board understands the needs of the applicants for funds. Recipients include organizations such as SaskFlax, the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre and Titan Clean Energy Products Corp.
Recipients say the grant programs enabled them to undertake a diverse set of programs.
“The study validated our belief that investment back into the industry is important,” Dmytryshyn said, adding grant programs encourage entrepreneurship, particularly for small and medium sized businesses.
