New Ag Partnership Unveils Value Chain Management Opportunities

Sep 11, 2012

Agricultural Businesses Gets a Boost in Atlantic Canada

Value chain management is a critical component for any business and the agriculture business is no exception. However, knowing how to add value to your business can be a daunting task but it’s a necessary in order to be successful in today’s competitive market. The Value Chain Management Centre (VCMC) based out Guelph, Ontario and Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., based in Nova Scotia have announced a partnership to offer value chain services for the agriculture sector in Atlantic Canada.

The VCMC functions as part of the George Morris Centre, which is Canada’s leading agricultural think-thank. This new offering will be beneficial to agriculture and the agri-food industry since VCMC conducts value chain research and offers ongoing training and consultation. Some of the key aspects that the partnership will be able to offer are mapping analysis, training, mentorship and consumer research.

“Perennia is focused on innovation, from the field through to value-adding primary agricultural products in our new Innovation Centre,” stated Jo Ann Fewer, Perennia CEO. “Innovation in value chain management is key to helping our clients grow their businesses and increase profits. The synergies we share with VCMC, and the great work we will be able to do together, will definitely benefit both parties and the agri-food industry in Atlantic Canada.”

The new alliance will be able to provide a much needed service that will hopefully increase the probability of farm business and the agri-food industry operating in Atlantic Canada.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.