Federal govt., Ontario commit up to $25M to boost efficiency in agri-food

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $25 million, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), to expand production capacity and boost energy efficiency in the agriculture and food sector.

Through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, funding will be provided to eligible farm and food processing businesses to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will expand production capacity or enhance efficiency.

This investment will support the objectives laid out in the Grow Ontario strategy of increasing the production and consumption of food grown and prepared in the province by 30 per cent by 2032 and boosting the economic impact of Ontario’s robust food and beverage manufacturing by 10 per cent.

Projects will be supported under the Initiative by allocating funds for businesses to obtain innovative equipment and technology to increase productivity and efficiency. Among a variety of targeted outcomes for this funding will be projects that also enhance cybersecurity in the agriculture and food sector.

Innovative technology and equipment projects, up to $100,000, will be eligible for up to a 50 per cent cost-share. Larger projects will be eligible for a 35 per cent cost-share, up to $100,000 in funding.

Applications for the Initiative will be accepted starting on February 15, 2024. The Agricultural Adaptation Council will deliver the Initiative.

Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

“Through the Sustainable CAP program, we’re supporting innovation and helping farmers and producers adopt new technologies. By working with the province on these initiatives, we can help the sector enhance their production capacity while also improving energy efficiency to create a more resilient future for agriculture in Ontario,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food.

“Our government is steadfast in its support of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector and is confident in its tremendous potential for growth. These investments will allow established and emerging businesses to speed up efforts to optimize their operations and help in achieving the ambitious goals we have set out for the agriculture and food sector in our Grow Ontario Strategy,” added Lisa Thompson, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.