Portage research farm victim of national cuts
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The federal government has confirmed the closure of seven Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) facilities across the country, including a satellite research farm in Portage la Prairie.
The announcement follows news that 665 AAFC jobs are being cut as the department looks to identify savings over the next three years. Alongside the Portage la Prairie site, satellite farms in Nappan, N.S., Scott, Sask., and Indian Head, Sask., will be shuttered. Major research and development centres in Guelph, Ont., Quebec City, Que., and Lacombe, Alta., are also slated for closure.
In a statement, AAFC said the wind-down of scientific operations could take up to 12 months, and it remains too early to determine final workforce impacts.
Colin Hornby, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), said the industry is still assessing how the loss of local specialized research will affect growers. The Portage la Prairie site has historically focused on the horticulture sector, including fruits, vegetables and potatoes.
“We’re not sure yet if that’s going to go to a different site, if that’s going to be lost altogether,” Hornby said. “So I think we’re still in the process of figuring out more detail and trying to see the impact for farmers”.
Hornby expressed concern that these reductions could have national “ripple” effects, particularly citing the Indian Head closure’s potential impact on breeder seed research.
“It’s an impact that’s broader than just in the region where the closure is happening. It’s a national impact.”
He said, while research happens in both public and private spheres, foundational work by the government is often later commercialized by companies.
“Research is the foundation of agriculture,” Hornby said, adding that the impacts of these cuts may not be fully realized for several years.
AAFC maintained it will remain the country’s largest agricultural research organization, continuing to operate 17 research centres nationwide.
» Portage Graphic Leader