A proposed modernization of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario Act would broaden its mandate and update language that now limits its scope.
Ontario released a discussion paper on the potential updates and changes to the Act on March 15 and will accept comments until April 14.
Why it matters: The Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario hasn’t had any significant changes since its 1962 launch, and modernization could better reflect the evolution of agriculture.
Read Also
Premier Equipment acquiring Green Tractors
Premier Equipment is acquiring Green Tractors, creating a 20-location John Deere dealer which will be the largest in Ontario.
“(ARIO) has done amazing work as a third-party partner in helping us move the dial,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Their role is very important. We’re looking ahead to the future, and this organization and this discussion paper reflects on how (we get there).”
ARIO owns and manages 14 agriculture research facilities across Ontario in partnership with post-secondary institutions, especially the University of Guelph and some other private sector groups.
Updating the Act was a commitment in the Grow Ontario Strategy, announced in 2022, that would see the province build and maintain world-class research infrastructure to enhance agri-food sector sustainability and profitability.
Thompson said it became clear during consultations with farmers, commodity groups, researchers, indigenous groups and academia, that ARIO needed to modernize to support current agri-food needs.
Food processing has been a critical component of the modern agri-food supply chain, and ARIO’s mandate does not include related research and innovation opportunities.
“The feedback received by the government will provide valuable insight into what research the (food processing) industry requires to remain competitive in the global marketplace,” said an ARIO discussion paper.
The paper contains an overhaul of outdated references that potentially limit areas and scope of research, along with updated and new definitions for knowledge transfer, innovation, research and commercialization. These are designed to align with ARIO’s commitment to high-impact and transformational agri-food research.
A name update was also proposed to reflect the entire agri-food value chain and encompass agri-food research and innovation in new technology, robotics, digitization and data management.
Additionally, modernizing the ARIO Act could provide it with more flexibility by removing overly prescriptive administrative and operational provisions and updating governance.
“We know Ontario’s agri-food sector is strong and growing stronger … due to our world-class research conducted across the province at ARIO’s 14 research facilities and through research, programming and knowledge transfer initiatives,” said ARIO member Denise Hockaday.
“Keystone to enabling the success of the sector is ARIO’s continued oversight of the province’s long-term investment in modern research platforms.”
Thompson encouraged submissions from the public on the discussion paper proposals.
Comments can be emailed with the subject line “Attention: Consultation on Proposal to Modernize the ARIO Act” to Kelli Rice, [email protected], or Tanya Marissen, [email protected], or submit them to the Research and Innovation Branch, 1 Stone Road, Guelph, Ont., by April 14.
Glacier FarmMedia, which owns Farmtario, also owns Discovery Farm Woodstock, which manages farm research land owned by ARIO.
