The primary goal of MCDC is the investigation and demonstration of economically and environmentally sustainable crop production. This includes crop diversification and intensive crop production technology practices such as irrigation, and facilitating development of value added processing of Manitoba grown crops. This is accomplished by bringing together partnerships with the appropriate expertise and the provision of suitable land and facilities.

Specific objectives are:

• Develop and operate facilities at appropriate locations in the Province of Manitoba, to identify and address specific issues related to industry and to the needs of horticultural and other agricultural producers.
• Facilitate the continued development of value-adding industries in Manitoba that are dependent on agricultural production, through the transfer of appropriate technology to producers.
• Contribute to sustainable and economic development at strategic locations in the Province of Manitoba through the investigation and demonstration of crop diversification and environmentally sound productivity enhancing technologies including irrigation.
• Contribute to public education and the awareness of agriculture.
• Facilitate and conduct applied research and demonstration activities.
• Develop, evaluate and demonstrate new technologies in agriculture.