The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to US$4.77 million in 48 research and innovation projects and supporting 20 companies through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI). The funding, provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), aims to help farmers and agribusinesses remain competitive amid uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs.
"It takes innovation to build a successful agri-food sector in Ontario and across the country," said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "By investing in companies that bring forward bold ideas and practical solutions, we're helping the sector seize new opportunities and stay competitive and resilient."
Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, added: "We want to ensure Ontario's farmers and agribusinesses have access to the latest technology and innovative solutions to grow and strengthen their businesses."
OAFRI provides funding across five research, innovation, and commercialization streams. Among the fruit-related projects funded is the piloting of new growing strategies to boost grape quality, yields, and food safety for Ontario-grown table grapes. Another project focuses on enhancing a robotic platform to apply crop nutrients more precisely in the field.
In addition to research, 20 new companies have joined the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub. The program helps Ontario-based agri-food and agri-tech companies develop innovations and bring them to market through business and investment strategies.
Dave Smardon, President & CEO of Bioenterprise Canada Corporation, said: "It is exciting to see such compelling and impactful innovations being developed right here in Ontario. The size of our agri-food production in Ontario is second only to California in North America. Maintaining a leading position in agri-food innovation is critical to the health and growth of our industry."
These investments support the Grow Ontario Strategy, which focuses on increasing agri-food innovation and adoption through collaboration with agribusinesses, research organizations, and industry partners.
The Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023–2028) program worth US$3.5 billion, funded by federal, provincial, and territorial governments. It includes US$1 billion in federal initiatives and a further US$2.5 billion in cost-shared programs, with 60 per cent covered by the federal government and 40 per cent by provincial and territorial governments.
For more information:
Connie Osborne
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness
Email: [email protected]
www.news.ontario.ca