The federal government has announced support for oilseed research in the east with $3.7 million going to the Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance (ECODA).
According to a news release, oilseed crops are one of the fastest-growing markets in eastern Canada. One example given is the soybean production in Prince Edward Island has roughly tripled in an eight year span starting in 2008. Soybean sales from Eastern Canada to Japan and other Asian Markets total over $2.3 billion.
The funding will be rolled out over the next five years and will include:
- Developing better varieties and new oilseed crops for Eastern Canada, including soybeans, camelina, brown mustard, pulses, canola, and hemp;
- Product innovation to boost market opportunities for oilseeds and value-added products;
- Improving land use and increasing profitable crop rotation options; and
- Improving pest resistance and soil preservation.
“Our ECODA partners are very pleased to have this opportunity to work together to bring agricultural science, innovation, and commercialization expertise together for the benefit of all Canadians. AAFC’s support is an important incentive for industry-driven R&D that enables the development of breakthrough technologies and commercial successes,” says Rory Francis, president of ECODA’s board of directors.
There are 21 projects over all and of these activities 10 projects worth $733,000 will be conducted in Prince Edward Island.
