by Deron Johnston
Some great potential news for local food and agri-food producers in Ontario was announced this past week. The provincial and federal governments just announced that, beginning in March, businesses, organizations and partnerships in the agri-food sector can again apply for support under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership for initiatives that aims to increase innovation, economic development, environmental stewardship and food safety.
The Partnership is part of a five-year, $3 billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
The first round of applications will take place from March 4 to April 5. If you want more information about the program, including eligibility requirements and eligible project categories, you can find it on the Agricultural Adaptation Council website at www.adaptcouncil.org.
According to the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, “Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, we are committed to strengthening the agriculture and agri-food sector through strategic investments, aimed at generating economic growth. This investment will help build an even stronger, more innovative, and sustainable sector in Ontario while delivering prosperity for communities.”
“Our Government is committed to making our agriculture and agri-food sector more open for business and even more competitive, in a global marketplace,” said Ernie Hardeman, the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This strategic investment opportunity, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will support a variety of projects that will strengthen this key economic sector for Ontario and help its businesses improve and prosper.”
Since June of 2018, more than 1,150 projects around the province have been funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The purpose is to help eligible farmers, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow their operations in the Canadian agri-food sector and in the highly competitive global agri-food market.
The funding will support projects in a number of priority areas including:
- Economic Development – in the agri-food and agri-products sector.
- Environmental Stewardship – to enhance the quality of water and soil health.
- Protection and Assurance – to secure the trust of Ontarians in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health.
The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) administers cost-share funding under the Partnership to sector organizations and partnerships. More information about the next application intake for these applicants is available on the AAC website www.adaptcouncil.org or by calling the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at: 1-877-424-1300.
