The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) has been approved for funding under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) AgriAssurance Program. According to CSGA Executive Director Doug Miller, the funding will allow CSGA to further flesh out its vision of building a modern seed certification system for the country.
CSGA’s proposal was funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance Program, a federal, provincial, territorial initiative. The funding will come through the Program’s National Industry Association (NIA) Component, which supports national-level projects to help the sector develop and adopt systems, standards, and tools to support Canadian agricultural and agri-food products.
Under the AAFC project, CSGA’s approved activities are:
- Continuing its digital transition, including digital seed tags (following sector consultation), digitizing any remaining paper-based forms, and developing the variety access console
- Modernizing the Breeder Seed Regulations
- Developing and launching an awareness campaign on the value of Certified seed
More details on each item and the consultation process with members and stakeholders this winter will be provided as the project develops.
In a news release, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said, “Transparency is essential to ensure that the public and producers trust the agricultural industry. This initiative by the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association further builds on that foundation of trust and transparency and strengthens Canada’s seed certification system both domestically and internationally.”
Doug Miller, CSGA executive director, said “We are an organization built around secure digital and mobile information. Offering our customers and stakeholders enhanced traceability and risk mitigation measures by leveraging new technology is key in today’s modern seed sector. The AAFC funding allows us to move quickly towards that landscape — efficient, easy to navigate and adaptable.”
Miller added that seed is the foundation of food systems globally, and CSGA’s seed growers are the heart of the Canadian seed sector.
“They produce quality seed of innovative varieties essential to a sustainable and thriving agri-food sector. This funding helps us promote the many reasons to use Certified seed.”
