| | The agriculture and food industry contributes significantly to Alberta’s economy. In 2005, the industry accounted for $7.9 billion in farm cash receipts and $9.6 in manufacturing shipments.
Alberta’s agricultural industry, the second largest agricultural industry in Canada, benefits significantly from research. Research projects help stimulate economic activity, create job opportunities and strengthen the industry's competitive position in global markets.
“The last few years have brought many challenges and opportunities for the agriculture and food producers of Alberta” says Mafiz Khan, science policy agrologist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton. “Some of these include the significant challenges posed by low-cost, new suppliers of raw commodities. Their competition has driven down the prices of raw farm products and contributed to declines in farm income. Competitors are aggressively using science and technology to increase their productivity and create and expand their markets.”
On the other hand, consumers are looking for new and innovative products and demanding higher safety and environmental standards. Countries such as China, India and Brazil, with rapidly improving economies and billions of consumers, are creating huge market opportunities.
Research conducted by Alberta Agriculture scientists is aimed at helping industry capitalize on these opportunities. They focus on developing new and innovative products, improving efficiency, addressing consumers concerns about food safety, quality and generating options for higher returns.
“Production diversification, product safety, enhanced nutritional quality, added health benefits and agri-based bio-product development have been high on the research agenda,” says Khan. “Alberta producers, industry and government have worked in partnerships to address and overcome the many challenges facing the industry.”
Alberta Agriculture conducts research and development and related scientific activities in four key areas: value added processing, livestock development, crop diversification and environmental stewardship.
In 2005, a wide variety of research was conducted in these four areas. Projects included:
- value added processing research – exploring technology development for food safety, production of new food, feed, health products, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, biocomposites and biopolymers
- livestock development research – concentrating on production efficiency, meat quality improvement, disease detection, manure nutrient management, animal welfare and safe mortality disposal, as well as specified risk material management
- crop diversification research – focusing on production efficiency, disease resistance and control, variety development, high value product development, use of agri-fibres, assessing health benefits and using them as marketing tools
- environmental stewardship research – concentrating on technology for utilization of manure as a nutrient source and for mitigating agriculture’s impact on soil, water and air quality (including greenhouse gases)
“Investment in research is a valuable part of agriculture industry growth and enhanced rural sustainability,” says Khan. “Research also assists in developing, reviewing and assessing agriculture program effectiveness.”
In the past year, some very impressive results have emerged from Alberta Agriculture’s research efforts. These include:
- developing 200 new products 38 of which reaching the marketplace and another 90 products with potential for marketing
- developing seven new analytical methods and generating agri-food surveillance information for the safety and quality of food products
- developing new and innovative technologies for the efficient production of crops and livestock
- contributing to the possible replacement or supplementation of wood fibre with agri-fibres
- developing methods for humane treatment of animals and disposal of specified risk materials
- helping register and establish the recommended use of 28 cereal and 43 forage varieties
- developing production practices for plants with functional food/pharmaceutical uses
- developing better management practices for sustaining and improving the quality of the environment
- contributing to the climate change and greenhouse gas extension and technology transfer
“The agriculture and food industries are constantly advancing,” says Khan. “In keeping with scientific, technological and resource growth and development, Alberta Agriculture invested $12.2 million in research and $16.4 million in related scientific activities in 2005.” Related scientific activities included projects in food safety, animal health surveillance, technical surveys, feasibility studies and information dissemination or technology transfer. These activities assisted with planning and formulating Ministry policies and regulations. They also helped Alberta producers and processors make informed decisions, using the new scientific information and technology available to them.
Contact: Mafiz Khan (780) 422-6573 |
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