The federal government is investing $11 million into the Canadian International Grains Institute, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced May 14.
“Today’s investment to the crops industry will support research and development of new, healthy foods for families across Canada and around the world,” said Minister Ritz. “When premium Italian pasta plants are making spaghetti, they use Canadian durum – this research will open new opportunities to reach millions of new customers for Canadian farmers by commercializing ideas as simple as putting that same durum into Chinese noodles.”
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The investment will support activities to boost international market development, brand building and industry-to-industry trade advocacy.
Some specific activities include:
Initiate innovative research activities and offer training and services to the industry to help them better understand domestic and international markets;
Assess the nutritional value of Canadian feed ingredients for new and emerging markets; and
Develop publications that highlight the benefits of Canadian feed ingredients, and feed programs for international customers.
An additional investment of over $500,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada will help CIGI keep the competitive edge with leading-edge tools and technology.
“This funding supports CIGI’s vision to be the recognized leader specializing in offering continuous advances in Canadian field crop products to the world and builds on the partnership between CIGI, the Government of Canada and the industry,” said Earl Geddes, executive director of CIGI.
