(NC) As one of our leading crops, canola has had a major impact in Canada since its creation.
From being a scientific achievement in Canadian innovation, to becoming the number one source of farm revenue from crops for more than a decade, there’s more to this world-renowned oilseed than you might think. Here are four facts about this popular crop:
Made in Canada by Canadians:
Developed in Canada in the 1970s, canola is a type of oilseed that’s been bred over decades to maximize crop yields and withstand diseases and environmental pressures.
The name itself, “canola,” combines “Canada” and “ola,” meaning oil. Since its invention, canola has become one of Canada’s biggest agricultural exports and one of the world’s most important oilseeds.
An economic success story:
With Canada as the single largest producer of canola globally, this oilseed has helped drive economic growth through a value chain made up of growers, seed developers, processors and exporters, generating almost 30 billion dollars in economic activity each year.
Today, around 20 million tonnes of canola are grown and produced by more than 43,000 Canadian farmers annually.
Science is behind its success:
A growing industry, much of canola’s success can be attributed to the innovative plant science behind it. According to Crop Life Canada, twice as much canola can be produced by farmers when applying a balance of protective tools and biotechnology, compared to the limited growth they’d face otherwise.
Agriculture companies are committed to developing seeds and solutions that help farmers produce and grow canola, so they can continue to deliver to satisfy demand for this leading crop. For instance, InVigor® hybrid canola by BASF has been grown on 174 million acres across Canada since its inception 25 years ago.
Not just for cooking:
Canola oil is credited with being one of the healthiest cooking oils compared to other edible vegetable oils; it’s cholesterol-free, rich in vitamin E, and possesses the least amount of saturated fats.
However, it’s also used for other non-edible uses, included in everything from toothpaste and cosmetics to canola meal and animal feed, along with biodiesel and industrial lubricants.
Find more information at agriculture.basf.ca/west. (Source: News Canada)
