AAFC’s goal is to improve the sector’s access to science by working through partnerships to reshape our collective approach to research, development and knowledge transfer (RDT)

  Acknowledges the key roles and complementarity of all aspects of RDT for innovation

  Within the department, a key piece is the creation of the Science & Technology Branch that will:

•  span the continuum from research and development to knowledge transfer •  ensure we have the capacity to integrate science and knowledge transfer to address

the challenges and opportunities of producers and processors •  balance national scope with regional needs and perspectives: new organizational

structure aligned with agriculture ecosystems in the regions, tailoring delivery of national outcomes to regional needs

•  focus on stakeholder engagement: continue building on local and regional relationships with the science, academic and business communities

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  Science is anchored to the future economic prosperity of a modern sustainable agriculture and food system. It underpins AAFC’s vision and mission, emphasizing

•  sustainable increases in productivity •  helping the sector capitalize on demands for product attributes, and •  enabling greater Canadian participation in global trade of agri-based products

  The focus of S&T Branch science activities is on the application of science to agri-based production systems

  Our approach is based on partnerships •  With other branches, to support the sector along the innovation continuum •  With industry and academia, using the Branch’s unique strengths - a national presence

and problem-solving mission •  Tailoring our approach to sector needs and capacity •  Supporting sector strategies (e.g. Crops Sector) by providing access to internal resources

and capacity, leveraged with our connections to universities and GF2 funding for innovation

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Roles of S&T Branch •  Informing regulatory and policy decisions •  Producing far-from-adoption applied science with broad stakeholder application •  Supporting innovation to improve economic prosperity

Pillar 1: Providing science that enhances the sector’s resiliency

Pillar 2: Fostering new areas of opportunity for the sector

Pillar 3: Supporting sector competitiveness

Addresses challenges to the resource base/sector’s capability to produce •  upstream research – fundamental

disciplines •  AAFC is major provider

Includes: •  Maintaining the collections of invertebrate,

plant, fungi and animal genetic resources to identify invasive species/new pests

•  Investigating the interactions of agricultural production with water, air, soils, and climate

•  Investigating crops and livestock biological mechanisms that may offer protection against threats and challenges

Addresses new and non-traditional commercial opportunities for the sector •  AAFC leads in upstream research through to

tech transfer/application for activities with public and broad stakeholder benefits

•  moves into a supportive role as research moves downstream, for activities that will generate commercial benefits to private firms

Includes: •  Developing bioenergy, bio-industrial chemicals,

and bio-based materials derived from crops and livestock

•  Supporting development of novel food and non-food products

Addresses existing sector’s ability to respond to market demands •  AAFC capacity is maintained to

•  leverage research resources to address key challenges and opportunities

•  provide expertise that industry can access through collaboration

Includes: •  Developing improved production traits (e.g.

resistance to specific pests, disease or weeds; yield enhancements)

•  Strategies to reduce risk to food value chain (pathogens, infectious agents)

•  Production practices that improve productivity, sustainability and profitability

•  BMPs that facilitate compliance with environmental regulations and enable sector participation in markets for environmental goods and services

•  Understanding critical factors influencing product quality

•  Finding alternatives to the use of antibiotics in livestock production

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  The sector is organized along commodity lines, and S&T Branch is refocusing Branch planning to reflect this reality

  Developing nine national sector strategies for future AAFC investments: –  Beef and Forages –  Cereals and Pulses –  Oilseeds –  Dairy, Swine and Poultry –  Horticulture –  Bioproducts –  Agro-Ecosystem Productivity and Health –  Agri-Food –  Biodiversity and Collections

  Strategy Coordinators are collaborating across government, industry, academia and the broader science community to guide AAFC research, development and knowledge transfer activities

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  Mid-90’s - Matching Investment Initiative (MII) – first government/industry jointly funded collaborative research initiatives

  2002-2008 – Agricultural Policy Framework – MII complemented with programming to support development of sector strategies

  2008-2013 – Growing Forward – mobilized sector strategies by providing funding for sector-led research and more complex collaborations (Developing Innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) and Clusters)

  2013-2018 – Growing Forward 2 – accelerating pace of innovation and fostering greater industry leadership by increasing investment in Agri-Science Projects/Clusters

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 Research, development and knowledge transfer –  Expertise in forage breeding, agronomy, grazing

systems in tame and native species –  Facilities and land base from coast to coast

 Growing Forward 2 –  Cluster funding –  Agri-Innovation science project funding

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 Priority is on implementing GF2 funding and finalizing sector strategies

 Recognize the need for ongoing engagement to establish and adjust RDT activities in relation to government and industry priorities

 Open to new partnership models that contribute to sector prosperity

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