Canadian government boosts Canadian organic sector

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament Scott Armstrong (Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley) announced an investment of $8 million for the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) to lead an organic science cluster that will help the sector respond to market demand and capture new opportunities.

 

The cluster brings the best and brightest together, from academia, government and industry, to focus on cutting-edge research and development that will improve the organic sector’s competitiveness, market potential, adaptability and sustainability. This will be accomplished through a series of activities focused on expanding organic production in response to market demand for hops, sprouts, ornamental potted plants and poultry.

 

Two hundred collaborating scientists will work on several priorities, including: crop breeding for improved cultivars; developing new reduced tillage systems for organic crops; enhancing soil to improve plant health; and developing new approaches to manage crop pests, diseases and livestock parasites.

 

Founded in 2006, the OFC is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes the interests of all the stakeholders in the organic sector. This cluster will be managed by OFC with assistance from the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University.

 

Canada’s organic exports have been valued at over $458 million, with most going to the U.S. and the European Union. This investment is made through the Industry-led Research and Development stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.