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The federal government is investing over $4.2 million in Saskatchewan to strengthen the province’s agriculture industry through innovation, manufacturing, and value-added production, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced Tuesday.
Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, said the investments will support advanced crop and livestock breeding programs, expand local grain bin manufacturing, enhance food processing capacity, and promote value-added agriculture initiatives.
“The agri-food sector is ready to lead in food security and economic stability,” Olszewski said. “Our government’s investments are helping grow one strong Canadian economy that works for Saskatchewan.”
Key recipients include the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, which will receive over $1.6 million to develop a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program aimed at bringing higher-yielding crops and livestock to market faster. Venlaw Manufacturing Ltd. will receive $2.1 million to install automation equipment for grain bin manufacturing in Watson, Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre is getting $420,000 to expand co-packing and incubation space, while Ag-West Bio Inc. will receive $20,000 to deliver the 2025 and 2026 Agri-Value Forum, an event promoting value-added agriculture.
The investments are expected to create more than 30 new jobs, generate $7 million in export revenue, and boost commercialization revenue growth by $51 million.
Buckley Belanger, Saskatchewan’s Secretary of State for Rural Development, said the funding will help producers “grow more, process more, and sell more” both locally and internationally.
PrairiesCan funds were allocated through its Business Scale-up and Productivity program, supporting high-growth businesses like Venlaw Manufacturing, and the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program, which helps regional organizations foster innovation.
Saskatchewan accounts for nearly 40 per cent of Canada’s total farm area, with its value-added agriculture sector more than doubling in size over the past decade.