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$18 M investment into horticultural sector

March 11, 2019  By Greenhouse Canada


Minister Lawrence MacAulay with Canadian Horticulture Council President Brian Gilroy Photo provided by: AAFC

The federal government has announced an investment of up to $11.5 million to the horticulture cluster under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. With an additional $6.5 million in contributions from industry, the total investment will be $18 million.

Led by the Canadian Horticultural Council, the cluster will support research to develop new technologies and practices for better pest and disease management, post-harvest storage and handling of greenhouse-grown crops, among others, including apples, berries, field vegetables and potatoes. It will also build on previous work by supporting sustainable practices to reduce the environmental footprint and develop new crop varieties.

“CHC is thrilled to again be entering into a valued partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on its AgriScience Cluster Program. This important funding allows us to broaden the scope of research for many different fruits and vegetables and address key issues, such as pest management tools, labour, production costs, and variety evaluation,” says Brian Gilroy, president of the Canadian Horticultural Council. “AAFC’s Cluster program will help to ensure Canadian farmers can continue to grow fruits and vegetables of the highest quality, while supporting the sector’s competitiveness in an ever-changing world.”

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The Canadian horticulture sector is a key contributor to Canada’s economy, representing over $5 billion in sales and $2.6 billion in exports.


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