Ottawa, Canada
January 20, 2009
Source: Canadian Seed Trade
Association.
For farmers it’s about growing
a better crop; for the economy it’s about jobs, expanding
exports and leading-edge science.
Canadian farmers have access to one of the widest selections of
high-quality seed varieties in the world. New varieties with
higher yields or improved disease and pest resistance provide
optimism for a successful crop. While seed fuels opportunity and
optimism for farmers, it also helps fuel Canada’s economic
engine. With $3.95 billion in economic activity generated every
year, and employing over 14,000 people from coast to coast,
Canada’s seed industry is a vibrant contributor to the nation’s
economy.
A new study, commissioned by the
Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) examined the economic
contribution of Canada’s seed sector including plant breeding
and research, seed production and processing, and marketing and
distribution. “Canada is a principal producer of high-quality
seed,” says Jeff Reid, President of the CSTA. “This study
reveals exactly how this sector is fuelling our economy,
creating jobs for knowledge workers and providing innovations to
meet the challenges facing agriculture today.” Of the 14,229
Canadians employed in 2007, more than 3,000 were highly-skilled
plant breeding staff including scientists, biotechnologists and
technicians. In addition, a large number of these jobs are
located in small regional centres and rural communities helping
Canada’s rural fabric thrive.
In 2007 alone, the domestic seed industry contributed $3.95
billion to Canada’s economy through salaries and wages,
operating costs, investment in capital goods and export sales.
That’s a pretty big number for an industry that is not as widely
known as dairy, brewing or horticulture.
In addition to fuelling our domestic economy, Canadian seed also
attracts strong demand in the international marketplace. With
$569 million in international sales from all industry segments,
the sector makes substantial contributions to Canada’s global
export position, marketing seed products and services to
numerous countries including China, Japan, India, the United
Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
In a world facing challenges with food security and the
environment, innovative solutions provided by Canada’s seed
sector can help tackle these issues from the ground. Throughout
the past two decades the seed industry’s investment in research
and development has made growing more food, feed, fibre and fuel
possible. For example, during the last 15 years, canola yields
have increased 27%, Ontario corn yields have increased 59% and
Ontario winter wheat yields have increased 62%. At the same time
nutritional profiles of many of these crops has also been
altered for the betterment of human health.
In 2007, Canada’s plant breeding and research segment
contributed $361 million to the economy. The production of new
varieties for sale in Canada was a primary driver of this
economic activity. “Continued investment in seed innovation is
critical as agriculture is facing some of its greatest
challenges – from climate change to food security for rapidly
growing populations,” says Reid. “An environment conducive to
investing in leading-edge science for both traditional plant
breeding and biotechnology is essential.” And that includes
continuing to develop new seed technologies such as drought
tolerance, improved fertilizer use efficiency, improved disease
and pest resistance and specialty grains and oilseeds with
enhanced nutritional profiles.
Canada’s seed industry is strong and vibrant and is poised for
continued growth here at home and abroad. |
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