Government of Canada supports Manitoba and Prairie farmers with over $66 million to adopt sustainable practices and technologies

Winnipeg, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Canadian farmers are key players in building a healthy environment and a more sustainable agriculture sector in Canada.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency) and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, highlighted the support of over $66 million to help Manitoba and Prairie farmers adopt sustainable farming practices and clean technologies that build farmers resilience to a changing climate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Parliamentary Secretary Duguid highlighted federal support of up to $62 million for two organizations to deliver the On-Farm Climate Action Fund in Manitoba and other Prairie provinces.

Manitoba Association of Watersheds will deliver up to $40 million to provide knowledge, tools, skills and financial incentives that aim to help farmers to adopt and deploy real, measurable and practical climate solutions across Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the area of rotational grazing, nitrogen management and cover cropping.

Canola Council of Canada will deliver up to $22 million to work with farmers across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to increase canola yields while reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

Both groups will distribute the funding through individual application intakes to help farmers adopt and implement immediate on-farm beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. Activities supported through the Fund are expected to reduce GHG emissions by up to 2 million tonnes by 2024, while improving the health and resiliency of farmers soil.

In addition, Parliamentary Secretary Duguid highlighted support of up to over $4.4 million for 10 projects approved so far across Manitoba under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program. This will help farmers adapt to a changing climate and boost their long-term competitiveness, all while cutting emissions. This funding is focused on three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency; precision agriculture; and the bioeconomy.

Together with Canadians and communities, the Government of Canada is taking real action to fight climate change and build a strong, prosperous agriculture sector. Canada’s agriculture sector currently accounts for 10 percent of Canada’s GHG emissions and has the potential to play a key role in reducing national GHG emissions and improving climate resiliency.

The Government of Canada is focused on working as a partner for Canadian farmers as they help Canada meet its national emissions reduction targets, protect the environment, and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s agricultural businesses and economy.