Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (second from right) joined three top chefs who competed to create the best Manitoba Omelette from local produce in honour of the eighth annual Agriculture Awareness Day. This year’s theme ‘The Changing Face of Agriculture’ focused on farmers as producers and business managers use science and technology to increase production and extend their market reach. L to R: Chef MJ Feeke – Benjamin’s Gourmet Foods;Chef Justin Bohemier – La P’tite France; MAFRI Minister Ron Kostyshyn; Chef Rob Thomas – Breakfast Television
March 20, 2012
Science, Technology Help Farmers Improve Production, Compete in World Markets: Kostyshyn
The face of agriculture is changing every day and producers across the province are adapting and finding new, innovative ways to join industry partners participating in world markets, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn today said at the celebration of Agriculture Awareness Day 2012 at the Legislative Building.
“Today’s farmers are business owners, managing millions of dollars in equipment, land and infrastructure, while raising families and helping their communities grow,” said Kostyshyn. “Business skills, along with science and technology, are the tools of their trade. Today’s farmers are planting crops with computerized seeders, using science to calculate crop nutrients and selling livestock over the Internet to breeders in Europe.”
Agriculture provides 62,000 jobs to Manitoba’s economy and directly employs approximately 30,000 workers. In 2010, agriculture contributed 4.2 per cent of Manitoba’s total gross domestic product (GDP) at the primary level.
Food processing, with $3.7 billion of goods and services generated in 2010, represents 25.5 per cent of manufacturing in Manitoba and contributes an additional two to three per cent to the province’s GDP.
To demonstrate the reach of agriculture, the Agricultural Awareness Day event included a competition to create the best Manitoba omelette. The finished products included local products and produce, and focused attention on how the ingredients of an omelette can represent the combined revenue of the agriculture industry, a $10.1-billion economic driver including farm cash receipts ($4.83 billion), the food and beverage processing industry ($3.7 billion) plus the food service sector ($1.63 billion).
“Agriculture contributes to our lives and the economies of the world around us,” said Kostyshyn. “From the food we eat to the airbags and biofuels in our vehicles and the amazing number of unexpected agri-products processed, developed and shipped to international markets, it all starts with a farmer.”
Agricultural Awareness Day was created by a unanimous resolution of the Manitoba legislative assembly in May 2004 to thank producers for providing safe, plentiful and affordable food products and recognize their role as key drivers of the provincial economy. The third Tuesday in March is now set aside for this celebration.
March 20, 2012
AG AWARENESS DAY 2012 CELEBRATES THE CHANGING FACE OF AGRICULTURE
– – –Science, Technology Help Farmers Improve Production, Compete in World Markets: Kostyshyn
“Today’s farmers are business owners, managing millions of dollars in equipment, land and infrastructure, while raising families and helping their communities grow,” said Kostyshyn. “Business skills, along with science and technology, are the tools of their trade. Today’s farmers are planting crops with computerized seeders, using science to calculate crop nutrients and selling livestock over the Internet to breeders in Europe.”
Agriculture provides 62,000 jobs to Manitoba’s economy and directly employs approximately 30,000 workers. In 2010, agriculture contributed 4.2 per cent of Manitoba’s total gross domestic product (GDP) at the primary level.
Food processing, with $3.7 billion of goods and services generated in 2010, represents 25.5 per cent of manufacturing in Manitoba and contributes an additional two to three per cent to the province’s GDP.
To demonstrate the reach of agriculture, the Agricultural Awareness Day event included a competition to create the best Manitoba omelette. The finished products included local products and produce, and focused attention on how the ingredients of an omelette can represent the combined revenue of the agriculture industry, a $10.1-billion economic driver including farm cash receipts ($4.83 billion), the food and beverage processing industry ($3.7 billion) plus the food service sector ($1.63 billion).
“Agriculture contributes to our lives and the economies of the world around us,” said Kostyshyn. “From the food we eat to the airbags and biofuels in our vehicles and the amazing number of unexpected agri-products processed, developed and shipped to international markets, it all starts with a farmer.”
Agricultural Awareness Day was created by a unanimous resolution of the Manitoba legislative assembly in May 2004 to thank producers for providing safe, plentiful and affordable food products and recognize their role as key drivers of the provincial economy. The third Tuesday in March is now set aside for this celebration.
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