The Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF) will contribute up to $1,294,030 toward 28 new projects to help the B.C. agri-food industry seize opportunities and deal with emerging issues.
The list includes new projects contracted between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011. Funding for these projects is provided by IAF through programs it delivers on behalf of the federal and provincial governments. Projects include research into disease management, technology development, market assessment and emergency planning, among others.
“These projects are helping agri-food operations from all different sectors increase the sustainability of their industry and improve product offerings to consumers,” says Stuart Wilson, IAF chair. “We are pleased to help applicants find innovative solutions to address challenges and pursue new opportunities that foster growth in their sector. We continue to encourage industry groups to contact us with their ideas.”
Two projects from the Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative Ltd. are included.
The first is an initiative to reduce bitter pit in apples with foliar application of Apogee. This is valued at $38,500.
The second is for the treatment of Bartlett pears with 1-methylcyclopropene. This has a value of $39,735.