BASF announced Tuesday morning an investment to expand its Canola Breeding Centre of Innovation in Saskatoon.
The $27 million investment, BASF says, will "strengthen its position as a global leader in canola advancement" and "contributes to economic growth and competitiveness for Saskatchewan".
Work includes adding advanced infrastructure "including precision controlled environment growth systems and a research-grade glasshouse, increasing breeding capacity and shortening innovation cycles."
The hope with this investment is to "accelerate the development of new InVigor hybrid canola varieties that can better withstand changing environmental pressures while helping farmers meet growing global demand."
“Canola is a strategic crop for our Agricultural Solutions business, playing a crucial role for Canadian farmers and supporting food production worldwide,” said Livio Tedeschi, President of BASF Agricultural Solutions in a news release. “This investment underscores our commitment to advancing our entire portfolio of canola. As the global leader in canola production and innovation, BASF is proud to invest in its future innovation capabilities.”
“For three decades, Canadian farmers have relied on InVigor hybrid canola for its consistent performance and yield advantage,” said Leta LaRush, Vice President of BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada. “This significant investment strengthens our ability to bring forward the next generation of high-performing hybrids, supporting yield gains, agronomic resilience and long-term success for Canadian farmers.”
Construction is slated to begin this spring and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
During his speech Tuesday morning at Canada's Farm Show, Premier Scott Moe mentioned the BASF announcement as one example of the large amount of investment happening in the province.
