AAFC and Sask Ag & Food News Release
April 11, 2013

GROWING FORWARD 2 AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMING LAUNCHES IN SASKATCHEWAN
New Programs Designed to Make Saskatchewan Producers More Innovative, Productive and Competitive on a World Scale

Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced the launch of the Growing Forward 2 agricultural policy framework in Saskatchewan.

“Our government remains focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry,” said Ritz. “Growing Forward 2 provides flexible, innovative programming for Saskatchewan’s hard-working farmers to ensure they have the tools they need to remain competitive and expand into new markets.”

“Agriculture is one of the main economic drivers in Saskatchewan and this new five-year agreement will help our farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and exporters to grow the industry,” Stewart said. “We consulted extensively with producers and industry on the development of these programs, which will help ensure our products continue to feed a growing world population and contribute to a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan citizens.”

The federal and provincial governments will invest $388 million in Saskatchewan for strategic initiatives over five years, an increase of more than $25 million per year over the previous Growing Forward framework. Programs were designed to offer flexibility to meet the needs of Saskatchewan farmers and agribusinesses. Following extensive consultation with producers, programming has been developed to provide:

1. $170 million over five years in agriculture innovation, research and technology transfer;
2. $65 million over five years in rural water infrastructure;
3. $60 million over five years in environment, food safety, plant and animal health;
4. $32 million over five years for value-added business development as well as trade and market development;
5. $25 million over five years in farm business management; and
6. $4 million over five years to support the industry in agriculture awareness initiatives.

Saskatchewan is a world leader in the production and export of canola, wheat, oats, peas, lentils, mustard seed, canary seed, flax and other crops. In addition, Saskatchewan is a leader in livestock production, with one third of Canada’s beef cattle herd. With more than $11 billion worth of agri-food exports in 2012, Saskatchewan is Canada’s top exporter. Growing Forward 2 will help strengthen Saskatchewan as a leader in production, biosciences, innovation and food security.

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