Canada’s agriculture industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, known globally for its progressive practices and commitment to sustainability.
In a recent survey conducted as part of the Western Producer 100 Years initiative, advocating for Canadian agriculture ranked as one of the industry’s most important issues. Nearly two-thirds of respondents emphasized the importance of crop input suppliers in this advocacy.
“Canadian farmers are clear in their expectations of BASF as a leader in the industry. We need to support farmers and the industry through advocacy efforts,” says Leta LaRush, vice-president of business management for BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions.
The Producer research revealed that farmers would like four important understandings communicated to the general public, to help enhance their understanding of Canadian agriculture: Agriculture’s contribution to the Canadian economy; how food is grown, where it comes from and how it gets to the dinner plate; the sustainability of farming practices; and how food safety is ensured. These issues influence consumer behavior and also shape policy decisions and regulatory frameworks.
Addressing these concerns requires clear communication and advocacy from trusted voices within the industry, says LaRush.
“One thing BASF can do is help provide farmers with the platform and opportunity to tell their story, and then help amplify it,” she says, pointing to the company’s Biggest Job on Earth campaign that aims to showcase farmers’ experiences and address public questions to reduce misinformation.
BASF also supports organizations such as Ag in the Classroom, which does agricultural programming in schools across the county, and 4-H. This year, BASF was a sponsor of the Citizenship Congress, which saw 50 4-H members from across Canada travel to Ottawa to develop skills connected to civic engagement, governance, parliamentary procedures and citizenship.
As interest in food production grows, so too has the spread of misconceptions. BASF and other industry players have a crucial role in sharing accurate information, whether that’s with policymakers and government officials or educating the public about modern agricultural practices.
BASF, for example, supports the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity as an anchor member. CCFI’s mandate is to build public trust in Canada’s food system through initiatives such as Canada’s Ag Day and annual public trust research. This research helps identify areas of concern and focus advocacy efforts where they are most needed.
“And then, in terms of action, I think there’s an opportunity to make sure we’re supporting the efforts of associations such as CropLife and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity as they advocate for the industry,” says LaRush.
BASF also invests 11 cents of every dollar into research and development. This investment underscores the company’s dedication to the future of agriculture in which it can commonly take more than a decade to bring a new product to market.
“So, with that amount of investment – in dollars and time – you can appreciate how important a predictable, science-based regulatory system is for the continued advancement of our agricultural industry. And that the policy developed supports the advancement of this incredibly important industry,” says LaRush, noting BASF will continue to support farmers with innovative products, whether that’s seed or crop protection or digital farming tools.
She adds that BASF, as a leader in the industry, cannot ignore its responsibility to support customers and the agricultural industry. It has the advantage of having “strength in numbers” with more than 600 employees who are passionate about agriculture.
“Yes, there are risks to ‘sticking your head up,’ but (avoiding those risks) doesn’t help us be the trusted partner that we strive to be for our customers,” she says.
Visit agsolutions.ca to learn more about how BASF is putting its advocacy work into action.