Research Project Focusing on Province-specific Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture

Jan 31, 2020

Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador - The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, provided an update today at the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture's annual general meeting on a collaborative research project to support Newfoundland and Labrador farmers in applying sustainable agriculture practices in cool-climate, boreal ecosystems.

The Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is collaborating with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, along with Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd., on a two-year, $1.3-million project to help maximize Newfoundland and Labrador's cool-climate growing conditions, while protecting the environment, increasing agriculture production and utilizing the by-products of other natural resource industries. Project details are provided in the backgrounder below.

The project is funded under the $25-million, three-year (2018-2021), federal Agricultural Clean Technology Program, and will receive a federal investment of $557,509 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and a $773,376 provincial commitment provided by the provincial departments of Fisheries and Land Resources, and Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, along with investments from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

The project supports commitments outlined in The Way Forward to expand agricultural production, ensure environmental and social sustainability, and prioritize food security and sufficiency. It will also meet the provincial commitments through the Agriculture Sector Work Plan to collaborate with farmers in advancing northern agriculture research and the Aquaculture Sector Work Plan to conduct research that advances opportunities to fully utilize materials in the provincial aquaculture industry. Newfoundland and Labrador's Climate Change Action Plan also focuses on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry operations, enhance carbon sequestration, and provide supports to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Source : Government of Canada

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