The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $16.5 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to support agri-food research and innovation projects that will help Ontario develop new technologies, practices, and solutions for the agri-food sector. These actions will strengthen the sector to be more competitive in global markets.
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) will provide a multi-year suite of funding opportunities to support research and innovation activities that advance the sector. These funding streams include applied research, pilot and demonstration, knowledge translation and transfer (KTT), and commercialization of products, including a new Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub. Funded projects will align with the agri-food sector's research priorities to deliver new knowledge, products, and practices.
Ontario applicants with a capacity for research and development are encouraged to apply in these upcoming competitive intakes.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) will deliver the applied research, pilot and demonstration, and KTT funding streams. Bioenterprise Corporation will deliver the commercialization stream. The first application intake – for 3 of the streams opens on November 2, 2023.
This initiative is important as research and innovation are critical in bringing new technologies and processes to market and for developing new practices for on-farm solutions. This investment will benefit all of Ontario by bolstering a resilient agri-food sector that continues to produce safe and healthy food while also increasing trade opportunities for Ontario-grown and made food items.
Sustainable CAP is a 5-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% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.
"Innovation is vitally important to strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in a sustainable way. This funding will support applied research and commercialization so Ontario can continue to produce healthy, safe, and high-quality food."
Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said innovation is vitally important to strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in a sustainable way. "This funding will support applied research and commercialization so Ontario can continue to produce healthy, safe, and high-quality food."
According to Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario is committed to driving research and innovation that delivers tangible results for the agri-food sector. "This is a pillar of our Grow Ontario Strategy. Through this investment, we are ensuring our farmers, processors, and entire value chain have access to Ontario-made solutions, tools, and best practices that will result in increased yields, reduced costs of production, and efficiencies for years to come."
The OAFRI applied research, pilot demonstration, and commercialization streams will open on November 2, 2023.
More information is available online at the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative.