Governments Investing in Horticultural Research and Innovation

Vineland, Ontario  –  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $23.55 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) in horticultural research, innovation and commercialization activities, and research infrastructure, all to benefit Ontario farmers and consumers.

This multi-year investment will support the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) in research activities to increase the competitiveness and profitability of horticulture in Ontario and Canada. It will also support the Centre’s work with the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) in ensuring there is up-to-date equipment and infrastructure in place to conduct industry focussed research and innovation activities.

VRIC has established research capacity in five theme areas: automation, biological crop protection, plant responses and the environment, plant variety development, and consumer, sensory and market insights. This research aligns with the Grow Ontario Strategy goals, including:

• Seeing over 250 patents and licences granted through research funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness by 2030
• Developing technology to advance new agri-food innovations
• Translation and transfer of research into practical solutions for the industry
• Growing the market for Ontario innovative technologies domestically and globally

Sustainable CAP is a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.