Yukon Research Centre offers cash prize for food security, agriculture ideas

Do you have a great idea to improve food security in the Yukon?

It could be worth $70,000.

The Yukon Research Centre wants to give cash to the person who puts forward the best idea to addressfood security and agriculture issuesin the territory. It's part of the centre's second annualYukon Innovation Prize.

Stephen Mooney with Cold Climate Innovation at theYukon Research Centresays climate change has created a huge interest in home-grown Yukon food production.

"Grow your own food, keep it local," he said. "Farmers are innovative you got tobe innovative when you are working a farm, fixing equipment and stuff, so we hope to see a lot of innovative ideas come out of this project."

Applicants will first compete for one of four prizes worth $10,000. That cash is to helpfurther develop their idea. The four finalists will then compete for a grand prize of $60,000, tocommercializetheidea.

The Research Centre says applicantsmustaddress the technical and economic viability of their idea and the benefits it canbring to Yukoners.

Last year's Yukon Innovation Prize went toAdam Greetham,for his plan to develop an efficient radon mitigation system.

The contest closes March20.