Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the closure of seven research operations nationwide, including two satellite research farms in Saskatchewan. The affected farms, located in Scott and near Indian Head, are essential for enhancing crop production on the Prairies.
Mayor Steven Cole of Indian Head expressed shock upon learning about the impending shutdown of their longstanding research farm. The community, which has relied on the farm for 140 years, faces uncertainty as operations may cease within the next four to six months. Approximately 30 full-time employees are expected to either lose their jobs or consider relocating to other rural areas.
The federal department disclosed that a total of 665 department positions have been eliminated, with nearly 1,050 employees receiving notices. The closure of the research farm in Indian Head holds sentimental value not only for the community but also for Cole’s family, spanning multiple generations of employment at the farm.
These cuts are part of the government’s efforts to streamline the public service budget. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada aims to maintain its status as the country’s primary agricultural research organization, with 17 research centers nationwide and research farmland in all provinces.
The satellite farms in Saskatchewan play a crucial role in optimizing crop yields. Richard Gray, a professor specializing in agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasized the significance of supporting research initiatives that contribute to the province’s agricultural productivity and sustainability. The closure of satellite farms in Nappan, N.S., and Portage la Prairie, Man., along with research and development centers in Guelph, Ont., Quebec City, and Lacombe, Alta., further underscores the impact of these operational changes on agricultural research efforts.