New Agricultural funding programs announced

Jim Eglinski, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, is pleased to make constituents aware of various funding opportunities for projects related to agriculture.

On February 13, 2018, the Government of Canada launched six federal programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which is a $3-billion, five-year investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agricultural sector. It includes $2 billion in federal, provincial and territorial cost-shared strategic initiatives, and $1 billion for federal activities and programs.

The funding focuses on three key areas, outlined below along with the corresponding programs:

Growing Trade and Expanding Markets

1. The AgriMarketing Program is a five-year, $121 million federal initiative to increase and diversify exports to international markets. There is a National Industry Association Component as well as a Small and Medium-sized enterprise Component.

2. The AgriCompetitiveness Program is a five-year, $20.5 million program to assist industry-led efforts to provide producers with information needed to build capacity and support the sector’s development.

Innovative and Sustainable Growth in the Sector

3. The AgriScience Program is a five-year, $338 million initiative to support applied science and innovation driven by industry research priorities.

4. The AgriInnovate Program is a five-year, $128 million initiative to accelerate the demonstration, commercialization, and/or adoption of innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes or services.

Supporting Diversity and a Dynamic, Evolving Sector

5. The AgriDiversity Program is a five-year, $5 million initiative to help under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities to fully participate in the sector.

6. The AgriAssurance Program is a five-year, $74 million federal initiative to help industry develop and adopt systems, standards, and tools that enable them to make reliable and verifiable claims about the health and safety of Canadian agricultural and agrifood products. There is a National Industry Association Component as well as a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component.

Because these are on-going programs, the deadline to apply is September 30, 2022, or until funding has been fully committed. The programs end March 31, 2023.

“Canadian farmers are the best in the world. They are proud stewards of the land, innovators, and entrepreneurs. They are hard working families and communities who grow, cultivate, and process food not only for Canada, but the world. I encourage all those who qualify to take full advantage of these funding opportunities over the coming years,”concluded MP Eglinski.

For a list of the programs and who can apply, visit: www. agr.gc.ca/eng/programs-and-services/list-of-programs-and-