Recent Developments in Science Technology Branch AAFC PROCINORTE

Recent Developments in Science & Technology Branch, AAFC PROCINORTE Board of Directors March 5 & 6, 2014

Departmental Reorganization § In 2012, AAFC reorganized the department by amalgamating two Branches: • Research Branch • Agri-Environmental Services Branch § A key component of the reorganization was to create a new Science & Technology Branch that: • spans the full innovation continuum of services from research and development to technology transfer • has capacity to integrate science and technology transfer so as to address the challenges and opportunities of producers and processors • balances national scope with regional needs and perspectives 2

AAFC’s approach to research, development and technology transfer § GOAL: to improve the sector’s access to science by working through partnerships to reshape AAFC’s approach to Research, Development and Technology Transfer (RDT) § AAFC’s 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 • With multi-lateral international organizations – to address issues of mutual interest • Supporting industry sectors • Tailoring our approach to sector needs and capacity 2

Branch planning reflects industry sectors § The Branch has refocused to reflect commodity lines § Eight national sector strategies are being developed • • Beef and Forage Cereals Oilseeds Dairy, Swine and Poultry Horticulture Bioproducts Agro-Ecosystem Productivity and Health Food Science § Strategy Coordinators collaborate across government, industry, academia and the broader science community to guide research, development and knowledge transfer activities 6

Centres and Offices addressing all aspects of agriculture and agri-food innovation § Science and Technology Branch encompasses scientists, engineers, and specialists in Research Centres and offices across Canada working in all areas of agriculture and agrifood RDT § Centres and offices are organized under 3 Directorates: • Mixed Plain: Ottawa, Harrow, London, Guelph in Ontario; St. Hyacinthe, Sherbrooke, Quebec City, St. Jean sur Richelieu in Quebec • Coastal: Summerland, Kamloops, Agassiz in B. C. ; St. Foy, Fredericton, Normandin, St. John’s, Kentville, Charlottetown, Truro in Atlantic provinces • Prairie/Boreal Plain: Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Lacombe, Beaverlodge in Alberta; Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Melfort, Outlook, Indian Head in Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Brandon, Morden, Dauphin in Manitoba 3

Coastal St. John’s Lacombe Prairie/Boreal Plain Coastal Agassiz Summerland Ste-Foy Saskatoon Lethbridge Swift Current Winnipeg Brandon Mixedwood Plain St-Hyacinthe St-Jean Ottawa Charlottetown Fredericton Kentville Lennoxville Guelph London Harrow 5

Innovation programming has been in place in Canada since the mid-90’s § 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 § 2013 -2018 – Growing Forward 2 – accelerating pace of innovation and fostering greater industry leadership by increasing investments in sector-led and complex 7

Current Growing Forward 2: Agri. Innovation Program § The new federal Agri. Innovation Program under GF 2 is designed to accelerate the pace of innovation § It reflects a mix of new and continuing activities: • far-from-adoption R&D activities to address the sector’s emerging science-based requirements • Enable sector-led pre-commercialization activities, including R&D and piloting projects • Further support for knowledge transfer • Extension of R&D and commercialization support that is currently available under Growing Forward 8

Current Growing Forward 2: Agri. Innovation Program, cont’d § Total funding available for the Agri. Innovation Program is $698 million over 5 years (2013 -18) • $468 million for funding projects based on applications from farmers and industry • Remaining funds will complement industry-directed funding through AAFC-led research, development and knowledge transfer activities, as well as program administration costs • Science and Technology Branch is well-placed to lead or contribute to the above research 8

Looking ahead § The implementation of the Science & Technology Branch is still in progress, and is progressing well § The Branch is open to new partnership models and international engagements / collaborations that contribute to sector prosperity § Continued work with PROCINORTE and other international organizations is in line with the Branch’s future direction 9