In Canada’s western interior, commercial agriculture has succeeded in one of the least favourable
agro-climates on earth, with its short frost-free season and permanent water deficit. Once called “the
bread basket of world,” today the region is the world’s largest exporter of lentils and canola. The
latter, Canada’s most valuable crop, was developed by Saskatchewan crop scientists. To the extent that
adaptation to climate variability and change is achieved through the management and conservation of soil,
water and rangeland, the Prairies are good place to reflect on adaptation policy in the agricultural sector.
