Investment in Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Announced
The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI). This funding aims to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors, and agri-businesses. The investment is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), which is a five-year initiative totaling $3.5 billion aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors.
The new funding will facilitate various research and innovation projects, including:
- Development of a digital animal biosecurity product for swine and poultry farmers.
- Solutions for detecting contamination at food processing plants and large farms.
- A digital platform to improve data management and communication for Ontario dairy farmers.
In the latest funding round, over 100 projects have received support, including 67 applied research and pilot projects and 10 commercialization projects. Additionally, more than 30 businesses are receiving specialized mentoring through the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub, which provides advisory services to agri-food companies.
The next intake for OAFRI’s applied research, pilot, and demonstration streams will open on October 15, 2024. The Sustainable CAP is structured to allocate $1 billion for federal programs and $2.5 billion through cost-sharing agreements between federal and provincial governments, with Ontario’s share amounting to $569 million. This partnership aims to foster innovation and support the growth of Ontario's agri-food sector.
