By Greentech Lead America: The Government of Canada has
awarded $250,000 to the Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement of
the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. The investment aims to
improve farming practices, increase productivity and maintain the
sustainability of the environment.
The research centers will receive the investment to
improve an integrated computer model that examines the economic and
environmental impacts of implementing beneficial management practices (BMPs) on
the farm and on a broader landscape scale.
The investment is part of the $14-million Growing Forward
Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices (WEBs) project. The
WEBs project operates within nine small agricultural watersheds across the
nation in order to better understand the environmental and economic performance
of BMPs.
“Farmers have always been and will continue to be
good stewards of the land. This program allows farmers to make more informed
decisions about which beneficial management practices are right for their farm,
which in the end, means more money in their pocket and less stress on the
environment,” said Gerry Ritz, agriculture minister.
The refined computer model will help farmers and land
managers decide which BMPs will be most effective in improving soil and water
quality by providing a framework to maintain agricultural productivity while
minimizing the impact of farming on the environment.
Results from the WEBs projects are providing a foundation
for understanding the broader applicability of these BMPs within a specific
region. Farmers can use this knowledge to maintain high agricultural
productivity, while minimizing the impacts of farming on the environment.
Results can also be used in planning future agricultural policies and
programming.
Canada to invest in carbon capture and storage technology
Recently, the government of Canada announced that it will
invest $14 million in Aquistore, a carbon capture and storage demonstration
project near Estevan, Saskatchewan. The project will further enhance the
government’s plan to advance clean energy technologies and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
editor@greentechlead.com