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Alberta's Opportunity: Alberta is committed to implementing a strategic research and innovation plan that lays the foundation for the province's growth. For the 21st century, research and innovation are increasingly becoming the engines of our economic, social and environmental well-being.
Agriculture is a fundamental element to strengthening Alberta's economic potential. Success in developing the agricultural research and innovation system will enhance the achievements of individual agricultural sectors. In 2001, Alberta's agricultural economy produced $8.2 billion in primary product sales, and $9.9 billion in value-added product sales. The Value-Added Food and Health Products sector represents an opportunity of $7.6 billion in growth for the province by 2010 and beyond. Bio-products priorities identify a $2.5 billion opportunity for industry growth due to new opportunities in biomaterials, bioenergy, and bio-industrial chemicals. Together an industry target of $20 billion value-added and $10 billion primary on a sustainable basis is achievable by 2010.
Stakeholders in the agricultural industry developed the Research and Innovation Framework which outlines the Alberta R&D agenda for action - growing the value-added industry to $20 billion and the primary industry to $10 billion by 2010 - is dependent on productivity and efficiency gains realized through the R&D sector.
Skilled human resources, covering a wide range of disciplines and skill-sets, is vital in reaching this $20 billion goal, and a strong research base is essential to attracting both innovative researchers and global investment to Alberta.
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Research and Innovation Framework Goals
Alberta's Agricultural Strategic Research and Innovation Framework is composed of six goals, which must be achieved with alignment across the research and development continuum and within the life sciences context.
The intent is to build Alberta's Research and Development system to have the following characteristics by 2010:
- focused and guided by industry and public needs, Alberta's comparative advantage and market opportunities
- effective mechanisms to communicate internally and externally
- delivers more products, practices and processes
- attracts private and public investment
- transparent and accountable
- human resource capacity supports R&D, commercialization and innovation activities
Success in the value-added and primary production areas will be built upon a solid foundation of Alberta's agricultural industry. For sustainable growth of a viable production base, it also requires additional research, development, and commercialization support. Strategic investment in innovation, including applied research and technology commercialization, represents an obvious opportunity for Alberta. The return on Alberta's strategic investments will be contingent on a strong foundation of research and development for sustainable production systems.
Key Strategic Research and Development Priorities:
Industrial Biorefining and Bioproducts – converting biomass into high value chemicals, energy and materials.
Sustainable Agriculture Production – addressing the immediate needs of the agriculture sector from novel approaches to maintaining livestock and crop health to value-added processing of meats and crops.
Food and Health – wholesome choices for healthy lifestyles.
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