Released on March 15, 1996
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Ralph Goodale and
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall today
introduced Saskatchewan AgInfoNet, a Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure
Works project which, when operational, will provide one-stop shopping
for electronic agricultural information and services on the Internet.
The Internet is a computer network linking 60 million people around the
world. Saskatchewan AgInfoNet will provide leading edge technology and
applications for rural users. The project will bring easy-to-access
electronic information to farmers and agri-food businesses while
marketing Saskatchewan expertise and products around the world.
The $1.26-million project will be cost-shared by the federal and
provincial governments and the private sector over the next two years.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Jon Gerrard, Secretary of State for Western
Economic Diversification and minister responsible for implementation of
the infrastructure program in Western Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister Ralph Goodale said: "The infrastructure program has supported
several electronic infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan, providing
an important vehicle for delivering information to keep Canada
competitive.
"This project is a good example of how co-operation between two levels
of government, universities and the private sector results in a
foundation for future economic growth as the AgInfoNet will put a world
of agriculture information at Canadian producers' fingertips," he
added. "In fact, the network will stimulate a wide range of learning
and development options for all residents in rural Saskatchewan."
"Saskatchewan AgInfoNet is a way to help Saskatchewan farmers and agri-
food businesses move to an on-line environment to access markets beyond
our provincial boundaries, making the agriculture and food sector more
competitive," Upshall said. "Saskatchewan has positioned itself well
as a leader in communicating and marketing its products and services
through computer technology.
"Saskatchewan is one of the first provinces to provide universal access
to the Internet at an affordable cost. This provides access to
advanced products and services including electronic access to
information from even the most remote locations in the province."
Saskatchewan AgInfoNet will bring government, researchers and
businesses together to provide up-to-date electronic information on a
wide range of agri-food products, training, market pricing, product
information and customer service. It will also act as a forum for
information exchange between farmers, and for learning and development
opportunities for all residents in rural Saskatchewan.
The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program agreement was
signed in January, 1994. The agreement enables Canada, Saskatchewan
and the private sector to co-operatively undertake and fund projects
which will renew and improve the quality of public infrastructure and
create employment opportunities for Canadians.
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For more information, contact:
Sandy Lauder Joanna Mysak
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Communications Manager
Regina Western Economic
Phone: (306) 787-5082 Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-5942
World Wide Webb Site:
http://www.myriadgate.net/wd/
Russ Krywulak
Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8887
Saskatchewan AglnfoNet Inc.
Background
Saskatchewan AglnfoNet Inc. will provide a one-stop location for agricultural information and services on the
Internet for Saskatchewan producers and the agri-food industry.
The initiative will create an industry-wide consortium of the private and public sectors active in Saskatchewan's
agriculture and food industry in order to:
improve communication between companies, public agencies and clients;
improve access to information that is relevant to the agriculture and agri-food industry;
provide delivery of services electronically; and
facilitate business and commerce within and beyond the province.
The objective is to create a sufficient "critical mass" of Saskatchewan relevant information and services easily
accessible on the Internet:
to become "the place of choice" for both domestic and global interests to access Saskatchewan
agricultural and agri-food expertise and products; and
to provide a secure environment and range of value-added services to clients.
The $1.26 million project is being launched through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program,
with technical assistance from the University of Saskatchewan's Agriculture College, SaskTel and agri-food
businesses. Sources of funding for AglnfoNet during the next two years are:
Federal Government $180,000
Saskatchewan Government * $470,000
Other (anticipated targeted membership) $610,000
Total $1,260,000
* Includes in-kind services
The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program will financially support this initiative over the next
two years, before transferring full financial responsibility to Saskatchewan AgInfoNet Inc. Following
government start-up assistance, the non-profit corporation will generate its revenue from memberships, services
to members and advertising promotions to become self-sustaining.
Saskatchewan AglnfoNet Inc.'s 11-member provisional Board of Directors will oversee development,
implementation and marketing of the service. The members are:
Mr. Mike Anderson Mr. Sandy Lauder (Chair)
SaskTel Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Mr. Dean Bergsma Mr. Steve Meister
Flexicoil AgrEvo
Mr. Peter Eby W. Lyle Stavness
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Mr. Eric Eggertson Mr. Ron Witherspoon
Credit Union Central Farm Credit Corporation
Mr. Art LaForge Technical Advisor
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Mr. Bob Hersche
Dr. George Lee Information Technology and
University of Saskatchewan Telecommunications
Saskatchewan Provincial Secretary
Marketing Manager
Mr. Al Scholz
Trimension Group
