Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of a country. The study on the impact of Canola production in Canadian agriculture is highly important.
Canada, a developed western country, enjoys a significant agricultural contribution in its economy. In fact, the country is one of the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products in the world. Even though the country is located in the colder temperature spectrum, a wide variety of agriculture is practiced, driving the overall economy forward.
Among a range of produce, the utmost primary Canadian agricultural produce is grains and oilseeds. It amounts to 34% of total agriculture-related products. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) along with Canola (Brassica napus) cultivation makes up the major portion in the grains and oilseeds sector.
Canola and its Benefits
Canola, an oilseed, is a variety of Rapeseed. The Canola oil contains less than 2% erucic acid in its fatty acid profile, in addition to having the lowest saturated fat content of all common vegetable oils which results in it being a healthy option.
The solid parts of Canola seeds are high in protein content, especially after their transformation into Canola meal. It is a processed animal feed, and is beneficial for livestock, poultry and fish.
Processed canola meal also bears the potential of serving as plant-based diet for humans.
Canada and Canola
Canola first developed 50 years ago in Canada. It is now one of the highlights of Canadian agriculture. The Canadian value chain (Canola) is comprises of growers, seed developers, processors and exporters. Together, they generate $29.9 billion in economic activity in Canada each year.
Approximately 43,000 Canadian farmers grow Canola producing about 20 million tonnes of canola annually. Interestingly, about 20 million acres of Canadian farmland yields Canola oilseeds each year.
Globally, Canada leads the race in Canola production and exports by a large margin as almost 90% of the Canola grown in Canada is actively in consumption in export markets. A host of nations import Canadian Canola including the US, China, Japan and Mexico. The demand for each product including oil, meal and raw seeds is high.
The economic impact of Canola production has always been on the positive side, which reflects in the sector averaging C$29.9 billion per year. The Canola sector has also managed to drive the job market forward with 2,07,000 full time equivalent jobs.
Canola is definitely leading the Canadian oilseeds market in terms of production and exports. Providing a healthy option for edible oil along with various other benefits, Canola cultivation is one of the cores of Canadian agriculture.
Fact: The word Canola is a contraction of ‘Canada’ and ‘ola’, as a reference to the country of origin and oil respectively.
Comments