Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced that Canada will become a founding member of the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium.
The commitment also comes with $1.3 million in federal funding over four years.
The Efficient Fertilizer Consortium (EFC) was created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, a public-private partnership that funds research to advance enhanced efficiency and novel fertilizer products and practices that help farmers produce crops while reducing environmental impacts, according to the government. There are 11 other members, including the U.S. and the UK, and fertilizer companies, crop groups, and foundations.
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is a nonprofit organization that builds public-private partnerships to support innovative science that addresses food and agricultural challenges.
As a member, Canada’s representatives will “influence the strategic direction and research of the EFC.”
The consortium will work to better understand the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential of fertilizer products and their impact on crop yield in different climates, soil types, and management practices, including Canada.
The government says joining the EFC is part its commitment to reduce GHG emissions arising from the application of fertilizers by 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030. The government also says that this will also support the development and implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.
