OLDS – The province has announced six public engagement sessions and an online survey to gather input on the future of agricultural research in Alberta.
One of the sessions is scheduled to take place at the Olds College Alumni Centre from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 23
The sessions will be seeking input on what farmer-led research means to Albertans, farmer-led research priorities, and governance models for delivering farmer-led research, according to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen,
“We are working with farmers to determine their research priorities,” said Dreeshen, who is the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. “This is an opportunity to transform how we do research and attract investment from the private sector.
“I see world-leading agricultural research happening here, either by leveraging work happening in existing facilities or building brand new ones.”
The agriculture research system is vital to future job creation and economic well-being in the industry, he said.
“The engagement process is necessary to ensure the government is listening to industry and supportive of stakeholders,” he said.
“The focus is on ensuring the province has a strong innovation system that is supporting farmers and ranchers to be competitive on cost, quality and assurance.
The online survey, which can be found on the provincial government website, runs until Jan. 31.
One survey question asks respondents to indicate what they believe would “ensure a farmer-led approach to agriculture research.”
Options available include the following (respondent can pick up to three):
• A long-term plan that includes priorities identified by farmers and ranchers.
• A minister-appointed committee of innovative farmers, strategic thinkers and individuals familiar with science should help guide the decision-making around what research is funded and completed.
• Farms making decisions on what is funding and what research is completed.
• Farms should help identify priorities, but the government should fund/conduct research.
• Ongoing communication between industry and government to ensure initiatives are delivered.
• A farmer-led committee/group ensuring coordination across all sectors.
• The government of Alberta does not have a role in research.
• Alberta’s marketing boards and commissions leading the decision-making on what is funded and what research is completed.
Respondents are also asked to identify which priorities the government’s research funding should be directed towards. Options include animal and crop health, pests and weeds, environmental stewardship, production efficiency, emerging technologies, food safety, animal welfare, and irrigation.
Other sessions are scheduled for Calgary, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Vermilion and Camrose.
The Alberta Wheat Commission is urging Alberta producers to take part in the sessions and to fill out the survey.
“We highly recommend that all farmers provide the government with views about how research will help their operating grow in the future,” the commission said in a media release.
“Research is a critical aspect of ensuring Canadian farmers remain competitive. Farmers have historically played a major role in this through research investment.”
Stable government funding at appropriate levels is critical to advance research, development and extension activities in Alberta, the commission said.
“Industry’s ability to fund research projects and programs is limited by budgetary constraints, and requires partnership with other organizations, particularly government, in order to adequately ensure measurable progress towards improved competitiveness, profitability, and sustainability within all agricultural sectors.”
