Grain Growers Pledge $13.4M for New Global Agriculture Hub in Winnipeg
Provincial grain grower organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario have committed a total of $13.4 million toward the construction of Cereals Canada’s proposed Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (GATE) in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The $102 million facility, unveiled earlier this summer, is envisioned as a hub for Canada’s grain industry, promoting Canadian crops globally through market development, research, and technical support.
As of September 17, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) has pledged $6,243,074, Alberta Grains has committed $4,319,798, and the Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has contributed $2,655,587. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) also announced its support, though its exact contribution wasn’t disclosed. The combined commitment of the four checkoff-funded groups totals $13.4 million, suggesting GFO’s share is around $200,000.
Cereals Canada has also pledged $5 million from its reserve funds, bringing the GATE Capital Campaign’s total to $18.4 million so far.
All four producer organizations backing the project are members of Cereals Canada, which unites producers, grain exporters, crop input companies, and processors.
Alberta Grains echoes this sentiment, noting how the project builds on Cereals Canada’s 50-year history, dating back to its predecessor, CIGI.
The Manitoba Crop Alliance highlights that its contribution is based on Cereals Canada’s business plan, which pointed to the need for a new facility to replace its longtime location in a federal building shared with the Canadian Grain Commission.
Grain Farmers of Ontario adds that the project sends a strong message about the grain industry’s future in Canada.
The funding from the Prairie groups is conditional upon securing further financial backing from government and other partners. The estimated $102 million includes purchasing land near Cereals Canada’s current location in downtown Winnipeg and constructing a facility that can house advanced milling equipment to meet modern engineering standards.
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