Saskatchewan has made a concerted effort to develop and maintain state-of-the-art research and development institutions in the province to make them attractive for intellectuals and young researchers. In order to attract highly trained, dynamic thinkers, the Ministry works to ensure that the province's agricultural research and development institutions remain global leaders. The ministry's contribution includes providing $3.8 million per year to support the operational costs of institutions, including:
Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS)
The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) was launched in December 2012 by its founding partners which include the University of Saskatchewan, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) and the Government of Saskatchewan. PCS has committed $35 million to GIFS over seven years while the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $15 million for the same period.
The backdrop for establishment of GIFS is a global population that is expected to grow by 2.6 billion people by 2050. As a result, developed countries with significant natural resources have a responsibility to enhance food production to meet escalating global demands for food, feed and fibre. In particular, Saskatchewan, with almost one-half of Canada's agricultural land and a strong history of using cutting edge technology, is well positioned to be a key responder to the global need for food and agricultural products.