Strengthening Ontario’s Agri-Food Sector
Ontario’s agri-food industry will gain from a $4.77 million investment by the governments of Canada and Ontario. The funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI), supports 48 projects and 20 companies. With this support, farmers and businesses can adopt technology faster, stay competitive, and build resilience against trade pressures such as U.S. tariffs.
Innovation in Action
The funding drives progress across five OAFRI research and commercialization streams. For example, researchers will test new grape-growing methods to improve yield, quality, and food safety. Other projects will use probiotics to reduce Salmonella in raw poultry. Innovators will enhance robotic platforms to apply crop nutrients more precisely. In dairy, developers are building an AI-powered imaging tool to detect mastitis early, protecting cow health and milk quality. Together, these projects push innovation from the lab to the field.
Backing Agri-Tech Startups
The program also fuels Ontario’s agri-tech sector. Twenty companies have joined the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub, led by Bioenterprise Canada Corporation. The hub delivers mentorship and investment support so startups can scale and commercialize. Although fully subscribed for 2025–26, another intake is planned the following year. Meanwhile, the next OAFRI commercialization stream opens September 4, 2025, creating more opportunities for innovators.
Building Resilience Through Strategy
This investment strengthens the Grow Ontario Strategy, which secures the province’s food supply chain through research and new technology. By connecting agribusinesses, researchers, and industry partners, the strategy ensures solutions move quickly from testing to adoption. Nationally, funding comes through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, $3.5-billion program (2023–2028). Of that, $2.5 billion is shared between federal and provincial/territorial governments to deliver locally designed programs.
Leaders’ Views
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald stressed how bold ideas drive opportunity:
“By investing in companies that bring forward practical solutions, we’re helping the sector seize new opportunities and stay competitive.”
Ontario Agriculture Minister Trevor Jones pointed to future readiness:
“Through OAFRI, we’re giving farmers and agribusinesses access to the latest technology so they can strengthen their businesses and remain resilient.”
Looking Ahead
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative is advancing practical tools—from robotics that improve nutrient use to AI that detects mastitis early. Backed by $4.77 million in funding, these projects position Ontario’s agri-food sector to innovate, protect food security, and thrive in a changing market.
