Agricultural development boards are mandated to perform promotion and development activities, including research, related to a particular product.
They are funded by a mandatory, non-refundable producer levy. The agency uses levy money to fulfil its required promotion and development mandate as well as to operate.
Each agency is led by a board of directors elected by producers who are registered in the agency (i.e. who submit levies). Any registered producer may hold a position on the board of directors. Election protocols are identified in each development board's regulations.
The purpose of research and development activities is to help producers reduce input costs, increase productivity and generally improve farm profitability.
The following development boards currently operate in Saskatchewan.