Improving water and fertilizer management to keep agriculture and the environment green and sustainable

SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE, QC, June 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Farmers know the importance of keeping the land, water and air healthy to sustain their farms and livelihoods from one generation to the next. They also know that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.

Parliamentary Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant was joined today by Member of Parliament Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis) to announce, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, a contribution of more than $2.9 million for two McGill University projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by water and fertilizer use in agriculture.

This funding, which comes from the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), will enable McGill University to develop policies, models and new practices for water management systems ($1,608,712), and to assess the effectiveness and the impact on soils of using municipal biosolids as fertilizers in three different Canadian climate zones ($1,366,961).

These projects will provide farmers with access to cost-effective best management practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Quick Facts

• The AGGP is a $27-million initiative intended to help the agricultural sector adjust to climate change and improve soil and water conservation.
• McGill University's agronomists and scientists are taking part in the 20 new research projects being conducted across Canada, from the University of British Columbia to the collaborative research of conservation groups in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. They will work with farmers to make their farms even greener than they are today.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada continues to invest in research with partners like McGill University in order to provide our farmers with the best strategies for adapting to climate change and for producing more quality food for a growing population while keeping agriculture clean and sustainable."
-       Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"This federal government's investment will enable our agricultural sector to be a world leader and to develop new clean technologies and practices to enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of Canadian farms."
-       Francis Scarpaleggia, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Louis

"We are grateful to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its valuable support for the projects led by professors Grant Clark and Chandra Madramootoo. This important research will help Canadian farmers adopt management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving agricultural efficiency."
-       Anja Geitmann, Dean and Associate Vice-Principal (Macdonald), Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University

Additional links

• Twenty new AGGP research projects announced by Minister MacAulay (April 21, 2017)
• Minister MacAulay announces renewal of AGGP (March 30, 2016)
• Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972; Annie Dubé, Regional Communications Manager, Quebec, 514-315-6180 (Office), 514-476-8583 (Cell)

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca