Thanks to biotechnology, we have life-saving drugs (insulin for example), vaccines, environmentally friendly cleaners and fuels, biodegradable plastics, and bioremediation. Ag-West Bio promotes the use of biotechnology for advancing crop development, because it helps to make agriculture more sustainable, both economically and environmentally.
In this part of the world, genetically engineered crops such as canola have reduced the use of pesticides, increased production rates, reduced soil erosion and increased carbon capture thanks to the practice of zero-till. Another example is the Hawaiian papaya industry, which would have been lost if not for genetic modification. The technology has had a huge impact on the environment, on the lives of farmers and on the economy.
In the developing world, GM technology can mean the difference between whether a farmer can feed his or her family, or send his children to school – and it can literally save lives. One example is Golden Rice, modified to contain high levels of beta-carotene in order to prevent vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to blindness and even death.
Canada has an effective, science-based regulatory system. In Canada, each GM food is tested individually – for toxins, allergens, nutritional qualities, chemical safety, and more. It is also assessed for environmental and market impact before it is deregulated. It generally takes seven to 10 years to research, develop and test a new GM food. Visit Health Canada to learn more.
Global Biotech Week celebrates biotechnology and innovative science, with various events and activities occurring across the world. The purpose of Global Biotech Week is to raise awareness of the industry and its global potential among policymakers, influencers, and the public more broadly. Ag-West Bio is the lead for Global Biotech Week activities in Saskatchewan.
The ABIC Speaker Series features experts from around the world with a passion for solving global challenges using science and technology, to inspire and teach. The lectures have either a business focus or science /science communications focus. ABIC is a charitable foundation managed by Ag-West Bio.
The Diverse Field Crops Cluster (DFCC) is an agri-science cluster whose purpose is to support the research and development of high-potential, special crops: flax, camelina, canary seed, sunflower, hemp, quinoa and mustard. DFCC aligns industry and research stakeholders to seize market opportunities and accelerate the acreage and market returns of these crops.
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan is a coalition linking thousands of livestock, crop and horticulture producers, government, individuals and businesses with a common goal to help people understand food and farming. FFC SK organizes a variety of programs to connect consumers to food production and farming, presented in fun and interesting ways to find out more about food and how it is grown.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program (AAIP) provides support to build awareness and trust in modern agriculture. The program is designed to help individuals and organizations tell the story of Saskatchewan agriculture. AAIP is a proposal-based program to fund strategic industry projects that target critical audiences and address key threats to agriculture’s social licence.
Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) knows the next generation of big thinkers and decision makers is sitting in classrooms across the province. AITC-SK is committed to engaging youth, fostering curiosity, and stewarding their personal connection to agriculture. Through hands-on activities, engaging programs, and inquiry-based resources, AITC-SK is building the pathway to agriculture literacy, and a stronger future for us all.
Please note that clicking on these links will take you away from the Ag-West Bio website, and that we do not control the content of these sites. If you discover a broken link, please let us know.
Also check out our blog, which covers a wide range of topics!
See our list of recommended science websites.
AgBioWorld
Best Food Facts
Biofortified
What is Biotechnology
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
10 Everyday uses for biotechnology
Cornell Alliance for Science
Find Our Common Ground
GMO Answers
GMO Skepti-Forum
Health Canada
International Service for the Acquisition of Agr-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
Let’s Talk Science
McGill Office for Science in Society
PBS Learning Media
SafeFruitsandVeggies.com
Sense about Science
Science 2.0
Science for Kids
The Biology Corner
Tim Caulfield: A User’s Guide to Cheating Death
USDA List of Bioengineered Foods
World Health Organization
See our list of recommended science blogs.
Agriwebinar – Robert Wager
Applied Mythology – Steve Savage
Camistry – Cami Ryan
Center for Food Integrity
(The) Credible Hulk
(The) Dr. Joe Show – Joe Schwarcz
Environmental news and comment – Mark Lynas
Genetic Literacy Project – Jon Entine
Illumination – Kevin Folta
(The) Logic of Science
SAIFood – Stuart Smyth
SciBabe – Yvette d’Entremont
Simply Science
See our list of recommended producer blogs.
A Farmer’s Life – Brian Scott
A Year in the Life of a Farmer – Jake Leguee
Cause Matters – Michele Payne-Knoper
Farming Truth – Various authors
Peel Back the Label – American dairy farmers
The Adventures of Dairy Carrie – Carrie Mess
The Foodie Farmer – Jennifer Schmidt
The Fanning Mill – Rob Wallbridge
The Real Dirt on Farming – Various authors
See our list of recommended agriculture websites.
Ag More Than Ever
Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan
Farm Food 360
Fresh Air Farmer – Andrew Campbell (videos of modern farm operations)
Real Agriculture
Get connected, stay informed…make a difference!
The Ag-West Bio team is working to grow the bioeconomy in Saskatchewan – and you can be a part of it. As a member, you are supporting our efforts to promote Saskatchewan’s bioscience capacity. Keep us aware of your needs, so we can work for you. Knowing your challenges, we work to keep our government informed so the sector can flourish.
