The Government of Canada announced that will become a founding member of the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium (EFC), a public-private partnership created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research that funds research to advance enhanced efficiency and novel fertilizer products and practices that help farmers produce crops while reducing environmental impacts.
The partnership represents a commitment of approximately C$1.3 million over four years. Canada joins 11 other members, including the US, the UK’s United Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, as well as other international governments, fertilizer companies, crop groups, and foundations.
While many innovative fertilizer products are already available, the Canadian government said more research is needed to better understand their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential and impact on crop yield in different climates, soil types, and management practices. Canada will work with international scientists and key agriculture stakeholders, including fertilizer companies, to conduct research and ensure its relevance to Canadian agriculture.
The government said joining EFC supports its commitment to reduce GHG emissions from fertilizer applications in Canada by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. It also builds on its commitment of over C$1.5 billion to accelerate the agricultural sector’s progress on reducing emissions while remaining a global leader in sustainable agriculture, and supports the development and implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, a long-term plan to spur action on priority environment and climate issues in the agriculture sector.