History of the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC)

The Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC) originated as the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Farm at Outlook, Saskatchewan. The PFRA Pre-development Farm was established in 1949, prior to the construction of the Gardiner Dam. The farm was designed to demonstrate irrigation technology to assist farmers in their transition to irrigated agriculture. Upon completion of the Gardiner Dam and the formation of Lake Diefenbaker, the farm became known as the Demonstration Farm and served a useful role in demonstrating irrigation technology. It operated in this manner until 1986.

Photo (right): In the early days, water for irrigation was supplied through canals, controlled by gates. Today, computer controlled, buried pressurized water pipelines are used.

In 1986, the Saskatchewan Irrigation Development Centre (SIDC) was established as a jointly funded federal/provincial agency as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, PFRA and Saskatchewan Agriculture. It's role was to conduct, fund and facilitate irrigated research and demonstration in response to industry needs.

In recognition of the importance of partnerships, and particularly the role of industry as part of the partnership, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 1998. This MOU now includes Canada (PFRA), Saskatchewan Agriculture & Food and Industry [Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association (SIPA) and the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation (ICDC)] at the management table of the newly named Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC). This agreement places CSIDC in a strong position to meet the future needs of its clients.

In addition, an MOU between the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre, the Alberta Crop Diversification Centre, and the CSIDC has been signed. This formal arrangement will guide co-operative activity in irrigated crop diversification for the Canadian prairies.

Since the formation of CSIDC, Canada and Saskatchewan have delivered irrigated research and demonstration information to their clients. This has been done using departmental budgets along with funding from federal/provincial initiatives including the Saskatchewan Irrigation-Based Economic Development (SIBED) program, the Partnership Agreement on Water-Based Economic Development (PAWBED), and the Agri-Food Innovation Fund (AFIF).

Photo below: Aerial view of the farm in 1952.

Photo above: Aerial view of the farm in 1999.