It’s referred to as ????????????? in China and its English acronym of CCRCSGE is only slightly less convoluted, but the result of the agreement signed by the University of Manitoba and four Chinese institutes is straightforward: increased food supply. 

The China-Canada Research Centre for Stored-Grain Ecosystems’s memorandum of understanding was signed on Sept. 15 by a U of M delegation currently in China, and it was witnessed by Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger. The deal was inked with the Academy of State Administration of Grain in Beijing, the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, the Henan University of Technology and the Chengdu Grain Storage Research Institute.

 “I am pleased that the University of Manitoba will be working with our friends in China to understand and solve the basic yet complex problem of how to store grains,” said Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Manitoba. “The University of Manitoba continuously exports its faculty members’ talents and skills through partnerships with countries and industries around the world, and this latest relationship further strengthens our role as an institution with a commitment to improving lives – locally, nationally and internationally.” 

The University of Manitoba is a world leader in grain storage research and its Canadian Wheat Board Centre for Grain Storage Research is the most advanced facility of its kind in the world. By sharing information and resources, techniques and tools, the consortium will ultimately find ways to reduce grain losses during storage thereby benefitting the global food supply.

For thousands of years, grains have formed the basis of the human diet. Access to a consistent supply of quality grains is the lifeblood for countries so any loss in quality or quantity during storage can have far-reaching effects. Yet post-harvest losses continue to range from nine per cent in North America to 50 per cent in developing countries. In the latter, high losses can contribute to famine. 

“Some of the worst famines in history could have been prevented by proper grain storage,” said Premier Greg Selinger, who was in Shanghai for the signing ceremony. “That is why I’m extremely pleased to be able to be a signatory to this historic agreement.”

China is the largest grain producer and consumer, and grain storage is critical to its food security. The research will lead to improved grain quality for consumers, increased cost efficiency for farmers, and reduced waste product.

 For more information contact Sean Moore, public affairs, University of Manitoba, 204-474-7963 (sean_moore@umanitoba.ca).