CANADA’S ORGANIC SCIENCE CLUSTER: SCIENCE WITH IMPACT FOR PROFITABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS

Summary

In this paper we provide an overview of the goals and potential benefits of a national science program for organic agriculture in Canada from 2013-2018 (application currently under review). The “Organic Science Cluster II (OSCII): Science With Impact for Profitability, Sustainability and Competitiveness” is linked with Canada’s Organic Value Chain Roundtable, the think tank addressing priorities for increasing capacity and market development for organic. OSCII will increase competitiveness by addressing barriers that are constraining production and by capturing new market opportunities such as emerging crops, aquaculture, and ornamental horticulture. OSCII will be coordinated and managed by the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture on behalf of the industry applicant, the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC).