Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
June 6, 2014
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced an investment of $5 million to the Canadian International Grains Institute to find innovative applications for Canada's field crops.
With this support, provided under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) AgriInnovation Program, the Canadian International Grains Institute will undertake research activities to continue to ensure the industry delivers the highest quality food products and increase its competitive position. The research will focus on creating innovative applications and market-ready products developed from Canadian field crops including wheat and pulses.
Quick Facts
- Canadian International Grains Institute is an internationally recognized non-profit market development and technical analysis organization that delivers customized training programs and technical expertise to customers around the world.
- Canada typically exports approximately 50 per cent of its total primary field crop production which in 2012 totalled approximately $17.44 billion.
- On May 29, 2014, Bill C-30, the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, received Royal Assent. The legislation identifies clear and achievable measures to get Canada's agricultural products, and other commodities, to market in a predictable and timely way.
- The AgriInnovation Program is a five-year, up to $698-million initiative under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework that supports pre-commercialization research, development, and knowledge transfer in agriculture.
Canadian International Grains Institute welcomes $5M in federal government funding for research and innovation
Cigi (Canadian International Grains Institute) welcomes a major investment from the Government of Canada in support of Cigi’s research and innovation activities.
The Hon. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced today at Cigi in Winnipeg that funding of $5 million from the AgriInnovation Program (AIP) for five years will enable Cigi to expand its work in research and product innovation.
“This announcement is exciting for the future of Cigi and demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to our work as an independent technical institute,” says Cigi CEO Earl Geddes.
The allocation of AIP funds will allow Cigi the opportunity to broaden its current research and innovation activities supporting the use of Canadian field crops and the Canada brand worldwide on behalf of farmers and industry, he says. “For example, the funding allows us to put a specific focus on the functional properties of various wheat varieties in our continuing effort to ensure customers are receiving the wheat gluten strength they require and a better understanding of the regional differences of varieties and class of wheat, as well as to match funding from Pulse Canada and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers for new product development with pulse flours.”
Cigi has carried out research as part of its marketing efforts, but this is the first time funds are specifically earmarked to work on innovative solutions that add value to Canadian field crops in the marketplace.
“We are pleased to have this funding for multi-faceted, innovation-driven commercial research to create new applications and high-quality products from Canadian wheat, durum, and pulses,” says Dr. Rex Newkirk who will lead Cigi’s technical team in the applied commercial research. “The AIP funding also positions Cigi very well to work with Cereals Canada and provide them with research services as they move forward with their plans and priorities.”
Cigi is an independent market development institute created in 1972. More than 39,000 people representing grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops industries from 115 countries have participated in Cigi programs and seminars. Cigi’s mission is to create a global advantage for Canadian field crops through the delivery of technical expertise, support and customized training to the domestic industry and customers around the world. Cigi is funded by farmers, the Government of Canada (AAFC) and industry partners.
The AIP funding will cover the following Cigi activities:
1) Specific attributes of CWRS and CPSR wheat varieties grown in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta will be identified to determine the potential innovative food applications of each on behalf of customers. Each year the key varieties will be tested and evaluated to identify the best applications and data will be shared with Canadian exporters and food processing companies.
2) Agronomic practices that may impact CWRS quality including gluten strength and other quality characteristics will be identified to understand the effect on customers’ food applications. Through the use of test plots, factors such as fungicide use, variety, and growing location will be studied to meet customers’ needs.
3) Innovative applications for downgraded wheat and durum will be developed. Samples of wheat from various grades and classes will be collected from grain handling facilities and analyzed for applicability in a full range of food products to determine the best commercial applications for all wheat and durum grown in Western Canada.
4) New and innovative food applications and processes demonstrating the unique attributes of Canadian pulses will be developed. This will involve extensive evaluation of new and existing breeding lines with a focus on developing gluten free products from pulses.
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