Farming is Canada | Canada is ...

Canada ranks among the top ten global food-exporting countries. Traditional farming methods, as exemplified by a childhood experience of inefficient fertilizer application, often led to significant waste and environmental pollution. The speaker notes that about 50% of fertilizer applied in the past was wasted, polluting water and contributing to greenhouse gases. This romanticized view of farming is giving way to a new era requiring advanced technologies to maximize production and minimize environmental impact, an area where Canada can lead.

Agriculture accounts for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, is the largest user and polluter of fresh water, and a major driver of biodiversity loss. The speaker predicts a future with less, but higher quality, meat consumption, and a shift towards alternative protein sources like aquaculture (farmed salmon), insect protein, algae-based protein, fungus-based protein, and vegetable-based proteins such as soybeans and legumes. Canada is positioned to produce more safe, high-quality, and sustainable food, becoming a trusted global supplier.

Canada is a world leader in agricultural exports, with non-durum wheat and canola being top products. The canola industry is particularly sophisticated, with approximately 20 million acres planted yearly, producing 18 million tons of canola products. Canada is at the forefront of developing new genetics for both plants and livestock, and advanced farm management tools. These innovations include soil and moisture sensors, data integration from tractors with satellite data, climate data, and robotics, marking the new agricultural revolution.

The farm of the future promises to be more environmentally friendly than past methods. The world faces a critical challenge in sustainably, equitably, and nutritiously feeding a growing global population. Canada is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role by developing agricultural technologies and establishing the necessary governance and regulatory structures. The speaker, Evan Fraser, Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Director of the Aral Food Institute at the University of Guelph, concludes by emphasizing Canada's significant role in global agriculture.