The federal government has announced that it will make a $3.4 million investment through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), to conduct research into greenhouse gas mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm.

The money will support three cutting-edge projects by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and the Global Institute for Water Security, to help the agriculture sector reduce its environmental footprint.

"Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay. "These new investments through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program are part of the Government's commitment to addressing climate change and ensuring our farmers are world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technologies and processes."

Researchers will look at different pasture management practices, and test different mixtures of forage plants, that would reduce the amount of green house gases released into the air. Another study will help farmers decide on the best options for planting shelterbelts. Researchers are also looking at ways to reduce green house gases released from water storage reservoirs.

The $27 million AGGP covers four priority areas of research: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural water use efficiency, and agro-forestry, in partnership with universities and conservation groups. AGGP investments support the work of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which brings together 49 countries to find ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions.