GUELPH – The provincial and federal governments are spending up to $4.77 million on 48 research and innovation projects and supporting 20 companies through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI).
Officials say the funding, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), will help farmers and agribusinesses grow their businesses by adopting new technologies and advancing commercialization to remain competitive in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.
“It takes innovation to build a successful agri-food sector in Ontario and across the country,” stated federal agriculture minister Heath MacDonald.
“By investing in companies that bring forward bold ideas and practical solutions, we’re helping the sector seize new opportunities and stay competitive and resilient.”
Provincial agriculture minister Trevor Jones added, “We want to ensure Ontario’s farmers and agribusinesses have access to the latest technology and innovative solutions to grow and strengthen their businesses. Through OAFRI, we are helping them prepare for the future, take advantage of new opportunities and stay competitive and resilient in the face of economic uncertainty.”
OAFRI provides funding for five research, innovation and commercialization streams. Examples of research projects funded include:
– piloting new growing strategies to boost grape quality, yields and food safety for Ontario-grown table grapes;
– using natural compounds from probiotics to reduce harmful bacteria like Salmonella developing in raw poultry;
– enhancing a robotic platform to apply key crop nutrients more precisely in fields; and
– developing a non-invasive tool using imaging and Artificial Intelligence to detect mastitis early in dairy cattle, improving milk quality and animal welfare.
In addition, 20 new companies have joined the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub, helping Ontario-based agri-food and agri-tech companies grow and bring their innovations to market through business and investment strategies.
“It is exciting to see such compelling and impactful innovations … The size of our agri-food production in Ontario is second only to California in North America,” stated Dave Smardon, CEO, Bioenterprise Canada Corp.
