The Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments are stimulating agriculture innovation with $150,000 in funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. This initiative will support the vegetable farming sector by fostering research and development projects at the Ontario Crops Research Centre (OCRC) in Bradford, Ontario.
“Our Government is helping Ontario crop producers continue as world-leaders in agricultural and food production.”
– Helena Jaczek, Member of Parliament, Stoufville
The agriculture industry faces a variety of challenges in Canada and needs research facilities, like the OCRC to develop new and innovative ways for Canadian farmers to surpass these difficulties. Improving agriculture infrastructure will happen incrementally thanks in part to the research & development projects listed below.
What Will This Funding Be Used For?
The Ontario Crops Research Centre in Bradford is the largest plot of organic (muck) soil in Ontario, which sets the stage for comprehensive production. A key focus is crop protection and increased output for a wide variety of vegetables through pest management. The research centre hopes to find solutions with the allotted $150,000 in Canadian government funded research. Moreover, as Canadian farmers solve their own challenges, they also solve broader issues for the rest of the world. As a result, Canada will continue to secure its position among global agriculture leaders.
“This research centre in Bradford is an important resource for farmers in the Holland Marsh area and across the province. The knowledge generated through research conducted at this centre will lead farmers to be aware of and embrace the most advanced agriculture practices available.”
-Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Furthermore, the synergistic alliances with seed, crop protection, and a variety of other organizations will help make this facilities’ research efforts successful. Research projects with collaborators, such as the University of Guelph, provides opportunities for both current and future generations of farmers to tackle these challenges together and find creative solutions.
“University of Guelph researchers remain continuously committed to working for producers to develop new, evidence-informed, farm-tested innovations to enhance on-farm production, drive economic prosperity, and improve the lives of our province’s tremendous food producers.”
-Malcolm Campbell, Vice-President (Research), University of Guelph
Much of the benefits that researchers are eager to reap from these studies will be sowed through this round of agri-food funding, and possibly more, from the CAP. Every improvement helps power the agri-food sector, along with the 860,000 jobs and $47 billion in annual economic contributions it produces.
What Is the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Program?
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a five-year, $3 billion investment which has been headed by Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) government bodies. This approach has proved more efficient than other funding channels because of the accessibility of its programs. These initiatives remove threats to crops and livestock through risk-reduction programs making Canadian food more safe and plentiful.
By focusing on Canada’s agricultural sector, the nation can increase productivity output, stimulate innovation for new and exciting systems and crops, and ensure success for years to come. To do this, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) offers agrifunding through two provincial streams called the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Ontario and the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Alberta.
The broader Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) also offers multiple program variants:
- Agrilnnovate: Supports businesses to commercialize and/or adopt innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes, or services.
- AgriDiversity: Supports under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities, to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.
- AgriAssurance: Supports companies to help implement third-party assurance certification projects that address international market requirements, thus helping expand export opportunities for Canadian agricultural and agri-food products.
- AgriCompetitiveness: Supports the agricultural sector to leverage, coordinate and build on existing capacity, enhance safety, adapt to changing commercial and regulatory environments, seize new opportunities, share best practices, and provide mentorship opportunities.
- Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP): Supports projects that help the agricultural industry mitigate emerging issues and capitalize on opportunities.
Each of these programs have a wide variety of eligibility criteria and intake-deadlines that prospective applicants should review and understand or request funding .
Government Funding for Agri-Food Companies
Lastly, if your organization falls within the Agribusiness industry and is looking to expand through research development, hiring and training or other practices, please consider government funding as a vehicle to get there.
To read more about agriculture financial support from the Canadian government, reach out to a Mentor Works representative today. For more information on current funding programs, visit the government funding directory for Agribusiness.