A fifth provincial grain farmer organization has pledged funds toward the proposed $100 million Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) facility in Winnipeg, Man.
The Gate Capital Campaign announced Tuesday that Producteurs de grains du Québec (PGQ) is committing $111,028 to the project.
“PGQ is happy to participate in this flagship project, which will make a significant contribution to the cereals sector, both in the west and east of Canada,” said Christian Overbeek, Saint-Hyacinthe farmer and president of PGQ.
Last fall, Alberta Grains, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and Cereals Canada together pledged $18.5 million to Gate. The provincial organizations’ funds are conditional on support from government.
Preliminary cost estimates for the facility, which would replace Cereals Canada’s current home and serve as a hub for promoting the use of Canadian cereal crops, has been pegged at just over $100 million. The price tag includes potentially securing a tract of land east of the Portage and Main intersection in downtown Winnipeg, and construction of a facility that meets engineering requirements to house advanced milling equipment.
The Gate Capital Campaign, chaired by former senator JoAnne Buth, is seeking contributions from industry groups, agribusinesses, individuals, and from three levels of government.
“This project is driven by ambition and a vision for the Canadian cereals industry to grow and thrive in domestic and international markets now and in the future,” says Buth. “We are grateful to the Quebec Grain Producers for their support in helping to bring this vision to life. Canadian farmers from coast to coast are at the heart of what we do.”
PGQ is made up of 14 grain producer unions across Quebec.
Related:
Cereals Canada announces vision for $100 million Global Agriculture Technology Exchange
Provincial grain grower organizations commit $13.4 million to Cereals Canada’s GATE project
