Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the closure of seven research facilities nationwide, including two satellite research farms located in Saskatchewan. These farms, situated in the town of Scott near North Battleford and close to Indian Head east of Regina, play a crucial role in enhancing crop production techniques on the Prairies.
Steven Cole, the Mayor of Indian Head, expressed surprise and dismay upon learning that the community’s longstanding research farm would soon cease operations after serving for 140 years. He mentioned that operations in Indian Head might only continue for another four to six months, affecting approximately 30 full-time employees who may face unemployment or need to seek opportunities in other rural areas.
The federal department disclosed that a total of 665 department positions have been eliminated, with nearly 1,050 employees receiving notices of termination. This move is part of the government’s efforts to streamline the public service budget. Cole emphasized the sentimental value the research farm holds for the community and his family across generations, with his father, grandfather, and uncle having worked there.
The closures are part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s strategy to achieve cost savings over three years while maintaining focus on its primary mandate. Despite these changes, the department affirmed that it remains Canada’s largest agricultural research institution, operating 17 research centers nationwide and maintaining research farmland in every province.
The satellite farms in Saskatchewan concentrate on enhancing crop yields, a critical aspect for advancing agricultural productivity in the region. Richard Gray, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasized the importance of supporting research endeavors that contribute to developing new agricultural practices and technologies.
Apart from the closures in Saskatchewan, satellite farms in Nappan, Nova Scotia, and Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, are also set to shut down. Additionally, research and development centers in Guelph, Ontario, Quebec City, and Lacombe, Alberta, will be closed as part of the restructuring plan.