Sowing sustainable solutions, reaping economic growth through Saskatchewan’s agricultural research

By Margaux Dugras ©2018 Postmedia Network Inc. ​This article was published in the Regina Leader-Post on Jan 2, 2025

University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina agri-research programs put communities first in academic endeavours

Saskatchewan’s historical roots in the agricultural sector have made farming a cornerstone of provincial identity and a critical driver of its prosperity. But as modern climate-related and resource challenges have grown, so has the need for innovative, community-driven solutions. 

That’s where the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the University of Regina (U of R) step in —delivering cutting-edge research that fuels economic growth by ensuring healthy crops and ecosystems. 

Through initiatives like USask’s Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) and the Crop Development Centre, environmental research has helped transform farming in Saskatchewan. 

At GIFS, the focus is on producing sustainable food through innovative agricultural solutions, boosting economic vitality in the process, according to GIFS CEO Peter Webb.  

“Our team and technologies have generated millions of dollars in commercial revenue that are supporting the growth of Canada’s innovation ecosystem,” Webb says.  

Through the FCC Accelerated Breeding Program, GIFS researchers partner with plant and livestock breeding organizations to ensure Canadian agriculture stays competitive and sustainable. The organization also engages with agri-food stakeholders and a scientific advisory panel to ensure that its projects align with farmer and consumer needs.  

GIFS’ research doesn’t just help farmers grow better crops — it fosters economic resilience for the entire province, securing Saskatchewan’s place as a leader in sustainable agriculture. 

Over at U of R, the university’s Institute for Environmental Change and Society (IECS) focuses on research that blends environmental health with agricultural practices. Projects addressing water quality, soil health and ecosystem management help connect essential research with the people who need it most. 

According to Peter Leavitt and Kerri Finlay, co-directors of the IECS, the program has generated over $50 million in research grants since its inception. 

“The program is designed to resolve the forthcoming conflict between the need to feed three billion more people within 50 years and the requirement for sufficient water quality and quantity to sustain human health, environmental integrity and resource-based economies,” Finlay says. 

For instance, U of R’s studies on water conservation are helping mitigate the risks of drought, enabling farms to maintain productivity even in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns.  

Researchers at the IECS are currently developing new satellite-based technologies in association with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council to monitor water quality, safeguarding the health of local ecosystems and communities. 

IECS research plays a key role in mitigating environmental damages which, in turn, could cause economic woes. Recently, IECS measured the vulnerability of prairie agriculture to catastrophic droughts in the next 30 to 50 years, which the provincial government then studied to create a policy that supports prairie farmers through adverse weather events.  

Together, USask and U of R are proving that environmental stewardship and economic growth go hand in hand — providing key innovations to the farmers who power the province. 

To learn more about USask programs, visit gifs.ca and cdc.usask.ca. To learn more about IECS at U of R, visit www.iecs-uregina.ca.  

This content was produced by Content Works, Postmedia’s custom content studio.