b'The industry supports researchresearch gives us things that growers can use. The industry engagement has been a huge driver. TRACY SHINNERS-CARNELLEYwith other research programs, both private and post-secondary, the research chair will raise the profile of potato production andKEY BENEFITS OF THE U OF M POTATO processing in Manitoba, explains Cicek. RESEARCH CHAIRAs a broad term, sustainability can sometimes be seen as a catch-all phrase, but the role of the chair will become clearer asThe University of Manitoba, in an information sheet, the recommendations of the MPRC report are realized duringidentified four key areas of importance for the new the establishment of the research chair position, explains Tracyresearch chair.Shinners-Carnelley, vice president of research, quality and sustainability at Peak of the Market. -Potato research in Manitoba, and the opportunity to This was a key point within the report and critical as weleverage funding from a variety of sourcesfundraise and develop the structure for the chair, she adds. Another important focus of the research chair will be working-Capacity-building and training opportunities for with U of M students to learn about the potato industry. graduate and undergraduate studentsIt is important to train people for the potato sector from lab to- Positioning the U of M to lead the response to global plot, field to the processor, and to do that we need courses andfood security and sustainability challengesexperiential learning opportunities for our students. Many faculty members have worked with the potato industry, explains Cicek-National and international research partners to With a dedicated research chair we can help our degree andcollaborate to support both research and industry diploma students as well as our graduate students have bettergrowth with new knowledge and approachesopportunities while bringing innovation to growers and industry.Manitoba has a lot to offer those interested in potato research,For more information on the potential research chair including well-established production and processing, growersvisit: https://umanitoba.ca/agricultural-food-sciences/interested in sustainable practices, and a strong history of post- sites/agricultural-food-sciences/files/2022-06/um-secondary research collaboration, a handout from the U of Mresearch-chair-in-potato-sustainability.pdf says. Theres a desire to increase potato research capacity at the U of M and bring together other partners to tackle some of the big challenges ahead for food security and sustainable production. are exported, with the remaining acreage split between seed, When industry and post-secondary work together on research- chip, and fresh potatoes. Potatoes are the fourth most valuable driven projects it can increase ways to leverage funding, increasecrop grown in Manitoba.reach, and facilitate knowledge transfer, says Cicek. This is theAt Peak of the Market we see the positive industry response first potato-specific research chair for the university and theto the research chair as a signal that theres a desire to move province of Manitoba. It will be only the second dedicated potatoManitoba forward as a leader in both potato production but also research chair in Canada, with the first being at the University ofresearch in this key crop, says Shinners-Carnelley. The industry Lethbridge. supports researchresearch gives us things that growers can Unique to the position, which the U of M is targeting to beuse. The industry engagement has been a huge driver.filled in the fall of 2023 or early 2024, will be the focus onThe U of M has identified several key components for potato sustainability for the industry, which is explained in the Januaryresearch in the province. All focus on supporting sustainability 2022 Manitoba Potato Science and Technology Strategy report.in production and processingthis is critical as Manitoba looks The sustainability focus covers a lot of ground, including soil andto expand the number of acres in potato production, especially water health, integrated pest management, and finding ways tofor processing, fresh, and seed.reduce the carbon footprint of production and processing. Industry partners, like KPPA, are also looking at ways the According to provincial stats from the U of M, Manitoba potatoresearch chair will connect with growers, and provide field-growers increased their production by almost five per cent inlevel, actionable ways to improve the sector. KPPA supports the 2021 with close to 80,000 acres in production. Last year Manitobarole and is involved with ongoing fundraising activities toward led the country in tonnage, followed closely by Alberta. Mostestablishing the research chair but wouldnt comment further on acres are dedicated to processing potatoes, 80 per cent of whichthe work ahead for the establishment of the research chair. 26SPUDSMART.COM Winter 2023'