The federal and Ontario governments are investing nearly $1 million in projects aimed at helping farmers and food processors bring new technologies and research-based solutions to market.
The funding is being provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a joint federal-provincial initiative designed to strengthen competitiveness and resilience in Canada’s agri-food sector.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the investment will support projects focused on modern farming solutions and innovation within Ontario’s agriculture industry.
“Through innovation and technology, Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sectors are enhancing Canada’s food system and reaching global markets,” Heath MacDonald said in a statement. “This support will help successful recipients turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions.”
Ontario Agriculture Minister Trevor Jones said the funding would help organizations commercialize research and strengthen Ontario’s food production sector.
“This investment will help local organizations turn research into market-ready solutions that strengthen Ontario’s position as a global leader in food production,” Jones said. “Our government is proud to support the innovators who are building a more competitive and resilient future for Ontario’s agri-food sector.”
The funding is part of the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative’s Commercialization Stream, led by Bioenterprise Canada, which aims to help Ontario organizations move research projects into the marketplace.
Projects receiving support include the expansion of digital biosecurity technology from pig farms to poultry farms, development of a cattle monitoring system designed to estimate animal weight and health, creation of a manufacturing system for dairy-free frozen desserts, and commercialization of a handheld agricultural clipping device intended for use in greenhouses and propagation facilities.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector depends on a strong pipeline of innovation to remain competitive, resilient, and ready for the future,” Bioenterprise Canada chief executive officer Dave Smardon said in a statement. “Through the OAFRI Commercialization Stream, we’re helping promising organizations move practical, high-potential solutions closer to market by supporting the critical work of market validation and product development.”
Officials said the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment shared between federal, provincial and territorial governments from 2023 to 2028.
The province said Ontario’s agri-food sector employs one in nine Ontarians and generated $52 billion in gross domestic product in 2024.
