Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced the closure of seven research facilities nationwide, including two satellite research farms in Saskatchewan. The affected farms, located in Scott and Indian Head, focus on enhancing crop production in the prairies. Steven Cole, the mayor of Indian Head, expressed shock upon learning about the impending shutdown of the community’s research farm, which has been operational for 140 years.
According to Cole, operations in Indian Head may cease within the next four to six months, affecting approximately 30 full-time employees who may face job loss or the need to relocate 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 on the same day.
The decision to cut funding for these research facilities is part of the government’s effort to streamline the public service budget. AAFC emphasized that despite the closures, it remains Canada’s largest agricultural research organization, maintaining 17 research centers nationwide and research farmland in every province.
The closure of the satellite farms in Saskatchewan will impact efforts to improve crop yields in the region, as highlighted by Richard Gray, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Saskatchewan. Gray stressed the importance of supporting research that enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability. Similar closures are also taking place in Nappan, Nova Scotia, and Portage la Prairie, with research and development centers in Guelph, Quebec City, and Lacambe also facing shutdowns.