Recently, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, was joined by Keith Colwell, the Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture, at the Kentville Research and Development Centre to announce funding for the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association (NSFGA) for research to improve the production and storage of high quality apples.
An investment of up to $384,490 is being made under the federal AgriScience Program. The funding will support the NSFGA to research and develop new environmentally sustainable tools and production methods to control fungal disease and insect pests in apples, while extending harvest time and retaining post-harvest quality. Through these efforts, the NSFGA aims to reduce losses from fungal disease, apple maggot and post-harvest disorders.
Additional support of $167,526 is being provided through the Pan-Atlantic Agriculture Project Partnership Initiative (PAPPI) which includes funding from the federal government and the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
PAPPI was established by the four Atlantic provinces to encourage Atlantic Canadian collaboration for eligible projects under their cost-shared Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) agreements. Projects considered under PAPPI have mutual benefit in the region, leading to improved profitability, competitiveness and/or sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food industry in Atlantic Canada.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. The Partnership includes programs and activities to enhance the competitiveness of the sector through research, science and innovation.
For more information:
Katie Hawkins
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Tel: +1 613-290-3896
Email: katie.hawkins@canada.ca
www.agr.gc.ca