April 24, 2014 - 10:48 AM
LAKE COUNTRY- Canada's wine and grape sector has gained support in its efforts to become more competitive and sustainable with a $2 million investment from the Harper Government, Member of Parliament Ron Cannan (Kelowna-Lake Country) announced today, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
With this investment from AAFC's AgriInnovation Program, the British Columbia Wine Grape Council (BCWGC) will be able to better compete on domestic and international markets, meet evolving consumer demands and tastes and boost producers' bottom line by improving quality and yields, while reducing losses from pests and diseases.
This investment builds on previous support of $2 million provided to BCWGC under the Developing Innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) initiative, for a project to help improve irrigation and nutrient management to achieve the highest vine and fruit quality.
Quick Facts:
-- The BCWGC was established in 2006 to facilitate research that benefits
the wine grape industry and to represent growers.
-- B.C. wine industry sales bring over $54M to the farm gate and generate
exports of almost $8M - which is an increase of over $6M in the past six
years.
-- Scientists from AAFC's Pacific Agri-Food Centre (PARC) in Summerland,
B.C., are working alongside the viticulture industry to continually
raise the bar on wine quality.
-- The AgriInnovation Program is a five-year, up to $698 million initiative
under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework, and is designed to
accelerate the pace of innovation by supporting research and development
activities in agri-innovations.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014