SASKATOON, Saskatchewan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With new federal and industry funding, the Diverse Field Crops Cluster (DFCC) is focused on increasing environmental sustainability in Canada’s agriculture sector through innovative research on five crops: camelina, flax, carinata, mustard and sunflower.

The federal government’s investment of up to $8.12 million ­­­in funding through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, combined with industry contributions over $6 million, bringing the total value of the five-year project to over $15 million.

DFCC projects include improving yield and disease resistance in flax and mustard; developing camelina as a new oilseed crop that can be grown on poorer quality land; and benchmarking greenhouse gas emissions in diverse crops. Crops that are more tolerant to water and heat stress can reduce greenhouse gases and increase carbon sequestration. Diverse crops can also provide value-added products, contributing to economic growth and development.

“There is no doubt that our farmers are among the first to feel the impacts of climate change. That’s exactly why we’re supporting this important research to increase the yield and profitability of diverse field crops and make the sector more resilient,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Ag-West Bio is grateful for this continued support of the Diverse Field Crops Cluster,” says Karen Churchill, president and CEO of Ag-West Bio. “The goal with DFCC is to give farmers viable alternatives to include in their rotations, which will help create an agricultural ecosystem that is more profitable while also being more resilient to climate change. By pooling resources, DFCC can advance these crops much faster.”

Carol Ann Patterson, DFCC’s project manager, says DFCC is an example of the power of collaboration. “The benefits of pooling resources go beyond financial. The knowledge gained through research and shared with DFCC members and farmers helps these small-acreage crops advance much faster.”

The crops under the DFCC umbrella are represented by Mustard 21 Canada Inc, Smart Earth Camelina Corporation, Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, Western Grains Research Foundation, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Nuseed Canada, and Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission.

About Ag-West Bio:
Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association. The company works as a catalyst for developing partnerships and industry growth in the bioeconomy through investments, aiding strategic alliances, and providing business planning support, regulatory advice, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). At Ag-West Bio, we stand behind startups and small companies to help them bring their innovations – and their dreams – to life. Pure Heart. Prairie Science.