The Hill Times: Agriculture can do more than just put food on our plate

Fiona Odlum — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:16:07 +0000

When we think about food, what we put in our grocery carts and how much we can afford is usually top of mind. And with food prices set to rise by another 2.5-4.5 percent this year and food bank usage increasing 41 percent between 2020 and 2023, food security is a real challenge for far too many people in our cities, rural communities and First Nations.

But what if our food system offers solutions beyond just the food on our plate? We’re facing a climate emergency, and Canada’s declining levels of innovation mean we are dead last amongst OECD countries in real per capita growth in GDP. Our agriculture and food system could be the answer.

To read the full story, please visit The Hills Times article Agriculture can do more than just put food on our plate

The Western Producer: More ag investment urged

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:23:33 +0000

Canada must strengthen its public and private funding for research and development of innovation in the agri-food industry if the sector is to remain competitive with rival exporting nations, warned an expert.

Public funding for such innovation in Canada has fallen to seventh in the world at 0.046 percent of gross domestic product, down from 0.1 percent, said Jared Carlberg, professor of agribusiness and agricultural economics at the University of Manitoba.

UM TodayCanadian economy – UM Today

The Hill Times: Agriculture can do more than just put food on our plate

The Western Producer: More ag investment urged