1/3 of all farmers unveiled a new Guelph-based organization called Farmers for Investment in Agriculture
Posted: January 28, 2010
Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Ontario
http://news.guelphmercury.com/Opinions/EditorialOpinion/article/588991
Farmers understand the need for research
January 25, 2010
When it comes to research, farmers have been unwavering supporters. In straw polls, they say research is even more important than direct subsidy payments from governments, and that it should be top of mind when deciding where to direct public resources for agriculture.
This hasn’t been lost on federal and provincial governments. Across Canada, they already pour millions of dollars into agricultural research every year, with fantastic results.
Sometimes research yields new products and processes, such as omega-3 eggs and DHA-enhanced milk, created locally in laboratories at the University of Guelph, at its campuses and at its area field research stations.
Many times, though, consumers are less aware of breakthroughs, such as new soybean varieties, or potatoes, or barley. Plants and plant products that are readily consumed here are often have Ontario or Canadian roots.
But what does it take to keep it that way? What will ensure Ontario’s farm sector stays productive and vibrant, as pressure mounts from imports, climate change and low prices, to name but a few of farmers’ challenges?
Well, to start with, more research. So say 100,000 Canadian farmers – about a third of all farmers—who virtually joined hands from coast to coast last week and unveiled a new Guelph-based organization dedicated to lobbying for agricultural research money. It’s called Farmers for Investment in Agriculture, consisting of the Grain Growers of Canada, the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Fédération des producteurs de culture commerciales du Québec, and the Atlantic Grains Council.
And it’s not just asking for more research money, it’s demanding it.
Here’s why. The group says every dollar the government puts into research turns into a $10 economic benefit for Canada. That advantage might come in the form of lower food costs, for example, or increased exports.
Given those figures, they’re confused about why public research funding for agriculture in Canada has dropped by what they claim is 40 per cent since 1994. These farmers want the trend to stop—Ottawa, in particular, should double its support over the next 10 years, to get funding back to at least 1994 levels, they say.
Their timing is deliberate. Ottawa is starting to prepare its next five-year plan for agricultural support, and the federal government will be approached by many groups with specific agendas. However, it’s more efficient to meet the needs of a collective than individual organizations, so top marks to these farmers for setting aside regional differences and coming together as a whole.
And more such initiatives are on their way. Last week at the annual Perth County beef producers’ meeting, members were told they need to be part of a red meat coalition. You can see momentum growing.
Agriculture is in the middle of two of the world’s biggest challenges: climate change and starvation. When the Copenhagen climate change summit failed so miserably in the fall, everyone started looking for alternative ways to work together. To that end, earlier this month in Germany at International Green Week, the national government torqued up the profile of its annual Berlin Summit of Ministers of Agriculture, by hosting twice as many international ministers as usual.
After the meeting, the ministers issued a call to action that included more emphasis on international technology transfer.
Technology comes from research, public and private. It’s all connected.
As the new Farmers for Investment in Agriculture groups says, research is more important than ever, given population projections and the potential for worldwide problems such as crop disease outbreaks. In Germany, China’s agriculture deputy minister Dun Niu said developed nations have an obligation to provide underdeveloped countries with technical and financial support to help them address climate change.
The same goes for addressing hunger. Research will lead us to solutions.
Owen Roberts teaches agricultural communications at the University of Guelph.