Potato Research Partnership at NSAC

In a major new initiative, a partnership between industry and government will support potato physiology research at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC), Dr. Garth Coffin, principal, NSAC, announced today.

Initial funding from McCain Foods Ltd. of $90,000 has been matched jointly by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing and the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry, to establish a research position in potato physiology and potato production issues at the college.

The program will involve the hiring of a research professor in potato physiology for three years. The professor will also train and supervise the research of graduate students at the NSAC to support the continued development of the potato industry in the region.

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine welcomed the partnership. "This is a unique venture. It is an historic agreement and an excellent example of governments working together with industry in support of a project of interest to the entire region."

"McCain Foods is pleased to be the catalyst in establishing this position to conduct much needed research on methods of controlling long standing problems such as potato size variability," said Dr. Donald Young, McCain Foods Ltd. "The results of this research should benefit the entire industry, from growers to consumers, by increasing the yield and quality of marketable product."

Eric Hammill, P.E.I.'s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, described the arrangement as one which will also help support the training of graduate students who will be needed by industry in the years to come.

"This initiative fits very nicely with our development strategy as we build our research and graduate studies capacity in areas of interest to agriculture in the Atlantic region," said Dr. Coffin. "We are very excited to be part of this multi-dimensional partnership."

The potato physiologist is expected to be appointed by the end of March, 1998, enabling the research program to begin during this crop year.