REGINA (Staff) – The federal government made its first investment last week in a program designed to boost Saskatchewan’s food industry.
Agriculture minister Ralph Goodale presented his Saskatchewan counterpart Eric Upshall with $8.7 million for the Agri-Food Innovation Fund. Ottawa will contribute a total of $64 million over the next four years to the $91 million fund.
The Saskatchewan government has already invested $27 million.
Long-term approach
Goodale said the innovation fund is a new approach to farm safety nets. He said it will provide long-term regenerating money instead of ad hoc payments.
Upshall said the fund will help diversification: “The fund will create an environment where industry and market-driven initiatives provide growth opportunities in agriculture to help provide a sound economic base in rural Saskatchewan and preserve our rural communities.”
Applications for funding are available from the fund office in Regina.
