Biotech Updates

Public-Private Partnership to Advance Science and Policy for Global Food and Nutrition Security

January 16, 2013

The Province of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) launched the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) to develop solutions to feed the world's growing population. The initial commitments of up to Ca$50 million from PotashCorp and the Province for the next seven years will allow GIFS to apply Saskatchewan's unique resources, innovation and expertise to address the increasing global demand for safe, reliable food.

The institute will be based at the University of Saskatchewan, and will take a strategic approach to the food supply system that include breeding for higher yield, improved nutrition and better processing traits, looking at how soil quality affects the nutritional value of crops, and adapting prairie zone crops to available soil and water. A separate report announced the appointment of Roger Beachy as the founding Executive Director and CEO of GIFS.

PotashCorp President and CEO Bill Doyle said that "Food security remains our biggest challenge as populations increase and diets change. We need to help farmers around the world produce more food, ensure it's safe and nutritious, and get it efficiently to those who need it."

The news release is available at http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=f7c1f550-5e90-40aa-9c4e-c5cfafbdd035.