Manitoba, January 27, 2011 - The first Progress Report of the Growing Forward initiative in Manitoba demonstrates how this program is supporting agriculture producers as they work toward a more innovative, competitive and profitable future, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

"The Government of Canada understands the vital contribution that Manitoba's farmers make to our economy and their communities, and that is why we put farmers first in every decision we make on agriculture," said Minister Ritz. "We listened carefully to the sector to develop programs that will help farmers grow their business."

"Knowing when and how to manage business opportunities is what propels the industry forward," said Minister Struthers. "The programs were developed based on consultation with members of the agriculture production and processing industries, focusing on the factors that will help Manitobans improve agricultural business practices, enable the use of innovative farming procedures to increase profitability and enhance food production along the value chain. Together these can benefit the economic strength of the family, the community and the province."

Growing Forward is a national agriculture framework to coordinate federal, provincial and territorial agriculture programs. Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are delivering $1.3 billion for farm families over a five year period. In Manitoba the program will deliver a total of $117.5 million from the federal and provincial governments for agriculture.

The report outlines the progress of the program during the 2009-10 fiscal year when programs in each of the four suites were officially launched. The four categories are Food Safety, Business Development, Innovation and Environment. Each category includes a variety of programs and services designed to help people in agriculture and agri-product industries improve production, innovate products and processes, enhance business skills, create and grow marketing opportunities and adapt initiatives into practice that will provide the greatest, positive economic impact on individuals and communities.

The Ministers noted that more than 550 Manitobans have taken part during the first year of Growing Forward programs which is a clear indication the topics are of interest to people in the agriculture industry and those involved along the agriculture value chain.

The report is available through Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives GO offices and on line at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/growingforward.

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