Province funding Ontario-led agri-food projects

The Ontario government announced Oct. 3 its investing $7.25 million in 50 Ontario-led agri-food research and innovation projects. 

The investments are being made through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph that works to advance the next generation of agri-food innovations.

The projects focus on four research categories: environmental stewardship and food safety, economic and rural development, animal health and welfare, and plant health and protection.

Agri-food innovations developed by University of Guelph researchers help advance farming management practices, improve production efficiency, and drive economic growth, the province said in a news release. 

According to OMAFRA, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance returns approximately $1.4 billion annually to Ontario’s economy and promotes food stability in the province. 

Since 2018, Ontario has invested approximately $270 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance to support research and innovation.