Ag-West Bio will receive $1.7 million per year over the next five years from the federal and provincial governments through the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Ag Minister Lyle Stewart announced the funding — totalling $8.5 million — to support the development of the ag biotechnology sector in Saskatchewan on Monday.
Ag-West Bio will use the money to provide a range of services for the agriculture community, including advocacy and advice; financing and business attraction; and networking and educational events.
“It’s a fascinating time to be involved in agriculture,” said Wilf Keller, Ag-West Bio President and CEO, in a statement. “Growth is being driven by both bio- and digital technologies. Ag-food is an area with significant potential; this renewed funding gives Ag-West Bio the resources to move this sector to the next level.”
Ag-West Bio was founded by the Saskatchewan government in 1989 to develop the ag-biotech sector and to advocate for science-based decision making.
The organization received $1.5 million per year from the federal and provincial governments under the previous ag policy framework, Growing Forward 2.
