Transforming agriculture research in Alberta

By Janet Kanters, Editor

The government of Alberta has created Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), a non-profit, arm’s-length agriculture research organization.
Earlier this year, government consulted with farmers, industry and key partners in the agricultural sector. The results showed there was a consensus that farmers, in collaboration with others involved in research, are best positioned to determine agricultural research priorities.
RDAR’s structure takes parts of previous research models, such as Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) and Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF), to ensure research reflects the priorities of farmers and ranchers.
According to a government news release, a “regionally reflective advisory board” will assist the interim board with projects to ensure value, profitability and areas of focus. The government stressed it is imperative agriculture research in Alberta achieves outcomes that can be applied in the field and on the ranch.
“We will make sure farmers direct research priorities,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s minister of agriculture and forestry. He added that RDAR will ensure Alberta’s agriculture industry has more financial flexibility and autonomy to fund longer-term projects.
An interim board and CEO has been put in place to establish RDAR. Research funding will begin flowing by September 2020 and achieve full operational capacity by March 2021. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), $2 million in grant funding will be provided this year to support initial operations, which will allow RDAR to begin focusing on priority research right away. Post-secondary institutions will be provided funds to carry out priority agricultural research projects.
In Budget 2020, the government maintained agriculture research funding at $37 million.