The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $4.77 million in 48 research and innovation projects and supporting 20 companies through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI).
The governments said in a release the funding will protect Ontario “by helping 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,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Heath MacDonald in a release. “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.”
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“We want to ensure Ontario’s farmers and agribusinesses have access to the latest technology and innovative solutions to grow and strengthen their businesses,” said Trevor Jones, Ontario minister of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness. “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.
- 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 being developed right here in Ontario. The size of our agri-food production in Ontario is second only to California in North America,” said Dave Smardon, president and CEO of Bioenterprise Canada Corporation, in the release.
“Maintaining a leading position in agri-food innovation is critical to the health and growth of our industry. The support that the Ontario government has provided is helping to ensure that we do so and paves the way for even more innovation as the program continues.”
These investments build on the Grow Ontario Strategy to strengthen the agri-food sector by increasing agri-food innovation and adoption through close collaboration with agri-businesses, research organizations, and industry partners.
