The federal government is investing in the hemp and flax industry to give farmers new opportunities and access to untapped value-added markets.

We have announced a $9.6 million investment in the Natural Fibres for the Green Economy Network (NAFGEN) to assist farmers, rural communities and our economy. This new and innovative research will explore the full potential of Canadian flax and hemp crops to create better returns for farmers and boost local revenues.

Led by Flax Canada 2015 Inc., NAFGEN is a multidisciplinary network that brings together Canada's top researchers, industry experts and producers to help create profitable natural fibre-based value chains by improving varieties, technologies and processes, and by improving products made out of the natural fibres.

NAFGEN will collaborate with government, universities and corporate research facilities and scientists to combine their strengths and expertise. Working as a team affords the best opportunity for the industry to develop new and improved technology and products for both flax and hemp fibre to enhance the value of both crops. The University of Saskatchewan will play an active role in this initiative.

The Natural Fibres for the Green Economy Network will help make the natural fibre industry more profitable by getting more value out of hemp and flax plants and processes. They’re working towards breeding better varieties of flax and hemp, and they’re solving problems with harvesting, processing, storage, transportation and grading. NAFGEN will also develop technologies to convert fibre and associated residue into a variety of new industrial chemicals and products.

Funding for this project is being provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program is a federal funding program designed to stimulate creativity, leverage resources, reduce costs and accelerate progress towards commercialization of bioproducts and bioprocesses.

The Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program is designed to promote Canadian research, development, technology transfer and commercialize agricultural bioproducts, including biofuels. The program will benefit farmers by generating new agricultural knowledge and technology. It will transfer those things to players who can commercialize these innovations for the benefit of farmers and others in Canada's bioeconomy.

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The audio version of Garry's April 20, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here