Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that the Government of Canada will become a founding member of the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium (EFC). This partnership represents a commitment of approximately $1.3 million CAD over four years from the Government of Canada. Created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, the EFC is a public-private partnership that funds research to advance enhanced efficiency and novel fertilizer products and practices that help farmers produce crops while reducing environmental impacts.
As a founding member of the Consortium, Canada will influence the strategic direction and research of the EFC. Canada joins 11 other committed members, including the USA, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and other international governments, fertilizer companies, crop groups and foundations. There is an ongoing opportunity for Canadian fertilizer and nutrient management innovators to be a part of the Consortium.
There are many innovative fertilizer products currently available. However, more research is needed to better understand their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential and their impact on crop yield in different climates, soil types and management practices. Canada will work with international scientists and key agriculture stakeholders including fertilizer companies to conduct this research and ensure its relevance to Canadian agriculture. The EFC will fund research to generate data and evidence on how fertilizers perform both in their support of healthy food crops, and their promise to reduce the GHG emissions and other environmental impacts.
Joining the EFC supports the Government’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions in Canada arising from the application of fertilizers by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 and builds on the Government’s commitment of over $1.5 billion to accelerate the agricultural sector’s progress on reducing emissions, while remaining a global leader in sustainable agriculture. It will also support the development and implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy.
Collaboration with the sector and the international community is essential to making progress towards environment and climate goals while responding to the needs of Canadians for healthy and affordable food.
(Government of Canada news release)
