Potatoes in Canada

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New funding for R&D projects in Manitoba

 

July 21, 2015, MB – The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing more than $2 million over three years to support research and development projects in the province’s agriculture and agri-food sector and potato research is getting a share of the funding.

The funded projects cover a range of agricultural issues including animal and human health, on-farm production technologies and opportunities for value-added industries. Three projects of interest to the potato industry include the following:

  • The Manitoba Horticulture Productivity Enhancement Centre will receive $14,040 for a project to determine aerial spore counts of black dot and silver scurf in potato storages
  • Peak of the Market will receive $38,460 for a project to evaluate management strategies to control insecticide-resistant populations of Colorado potato beetle
  • Peak of the Market will also receive $41,525 in funding for a project looking at the influence of nitrogen on the yield and quality of Dark Red Borland, Sangre and Viking potato varieties

“By strategically investing in research and development, we can encourage new opportunities and a more diverse economy in rural areas,” said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn. “Manitoba’s agriculture and agri-food sector will certainly benefit from the findings of these projects. Adopting the new ideas generated from this work will lead to further economic growth in the province.”

In addition to the federal and provincial funding, applicants and funding partners are providing cash and in-kind contributions of approximately $3.6 million. Partners include agricultural businesses, commodity groups, the Western Grains Research Foundation and university and government researchers.

Projects are funded through Growing Innovation – Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (GI-ARDI) under Growing Forward 2.

 

July 21, 2015  By MAFRD



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