The Saskatchewan government has partnered with agricultural industry groups to commit $14.8 million to the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Of that, $5.4 million has been co-funded from the 10 industry partners, while the rest of the investment comes from the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).
The announcement came on day two of the 2025 Crop Production Show, during the first annual SaskCrops Forum at the Western Development Museum.
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“All 53 projects represent the leading edge of agricultural science,” said Saskatchewan agriculture minister Daryl Harrison.
Each of the 53 projects will receive funding for a three-year period.
Projects include the mapping of soil carbon sequestration in Saskatchewan cropland, lentil and fababean breeding, examining alternative genetic mechanisms for resistance to wheat stem sawfly and studying effects of pea-based beverage on bone health.
Harrison said this investment isn’t just for the benefit of research but also for the continued growth of agriculture, exports and communities in the province.
“The scientists leading this work are focused on areas of real importance to our agriculture producers, processors and industry partners. Their research drives a continuous cycle of knowledge improvement and innovation.”
SaskWheat is one of the organizations that has contributed to the research funds, with chair Jake Leguee saying it’s a step in addressing key concerns of wheat growers.
“Through research and innovation Saskatchewan, producers can increase our productivity and our profitability, which improves our competitiveness in international markets,” he said.
Angela Bedard-Haughn, dean of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, said ADF is an “absolutely essential” piece of research funding for the college.
“This year, of our faculty, 20 different faculty members, 20 individual faculty members, received ADF grants,” she said.
“That’s about a third of our faculty overall receiving new funding this year.”
This is a continued investment for the province, and the $14.8 million comes out of the $37 million allocated to agricultural research in the province’s 2024-25 budget.
Over the last five years, nearly $50 million from the ADF has been invested in crop related research.
Check out all our 2025 Western Canadian Crop Production Show coverage here.
