Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the closure of seven research facilities nationwide, including two satellite farms in Saskatchewan. The affected farms are located in Scott, southwest of North Battleford, and near Indian Head, east of Regina, where workers focus on enhancing crop production in the Prairie region.
Steven Cole, the Mayor of Indian Head, expressed his shock upon learning about the impending shutdown of their community’s research farm, which has been operational for 140 years. He mentioned that the closure could happen within the next four to six months, impacting approximately 30 full-time employees who may face unemployment or the need to relocate to other rural areas.
The federal department disclosed that a total of 665 positions have been cut across the country, with nearly 1,050 employees being notified of the changes. Cole emphasized the sentimental value of the Indian Head research farm to his family, spanning multiple generations of employment there.
These closures are part of the government’s efforts to streamline the public service budget. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada assured that despite the reductions, it remains the country’s largest agricultural research body, maintaining 17 research centers nationwide and farmland for research in all provinces.
The satellite farms in Saskatchewan play a crucial role in improving crop yields, according to Richard Gray, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan. Gray highlighted the importance of supporting research that enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability in the province, suggesting that alternative resources may need to be allocated to continue the research initiatives from the closed sites.
In addition to the Saskatchewan farms, satellite farms in Nappan, N.S., and Portage la Prairie, Man., are also facing closure, along with research and development centers in Guelph, Ont., Quebec City, and Lacombe, Alta. The move has raised concerns about the potential impact on agricultural innovation and development in these regions.