Released on September 19, 2007
The Government of Saskatchewan today announced $3.5 million in funding for new initiatives at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). The funding, first announced in February 2007, is part of an agreement between the federal government and the Province on the use of $41.5 million in federal Agricultural Policy Framework wedge and rollover funds.
Approximately $1.5 million will be directed to purchasing equipment for the Strategic Research Program, Agriculture and Food Research Chairs and other U of S research programs within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and the College of Engineering to enhance research outcomes. The remaining $2 million will be allocated to analysis of innovation and commercialization processes, business strategies, value chain analysis and policy development related to bioproducts and value added food innovations.
"This strategic investment will allow us to continue to expand our agricultural research and development capacity, which will in turn create new jobs and new opportunities for our agriculture industry and for all Saskatchewan people," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.
"These investments reflect the strong partnership between the U of S and the provincial and federal governments," U of S College of Agriculture and Bioresources Acting Dean Graham Scoles said. "Along with investments announced earlier this year, this funding provides a significant boost to our research infrastructure and graduate student training. This strategic allocation will help address crucial research questions as we increase reliance on bioresources to sustain our existence on this planet."
The initial investment of $38 million announced in February directed funding toward enhancing research programs and expanding facilities at a number of agriculture research institutions in Saskatchewan, as follows:
• $27.9 million to the University of Saskatchewan;
• $4.4 million to the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute;
• $2.6 million to the Prairie Swine Centre;
• $3 million to the Protein, Oil and Starch Pilot Plant; and
• $150,000 to the Saskatchewan Research Council.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Scott Brown
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan Research Communications
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-2506