Local farmers and others in the agrifood industry are receiving a collective $8 million boost from the federal government meant to promote the adoption of sustainable technology.
The funds, provided through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, were announced in Guelph on Friday morning. Recipients include Bioenterprise Canada, which will run a grant program people can apply to for funds, as well as Minto's Mapleview Agri Ltd. and Farm Health Guardian Ltd. of Guelph specifically.
“Today’s investments will support the long-term prosperity and sustainability of our communities while strengthening our local agrifood sector," Longfield said during the announcement. "From farmers, to suppliers, to processors, they all play an important role in insuring economic growth and rural development and they employ more people than the automotive industry here in Canada. And its that spirit of growth and importance in this sector that we are here today to celebrate in terms of Canada's food supply."
Bioenterprise Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building and growing innovative companies focused on agricultural technology, will receive nearly $6 million to deliver the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program to which food and agritech businesses in southern Ontario can apply for funding.
The aim is to help businesses and organizations accelerate development and support them to adopt and integrate new clean technologies, practices, and process enhancements into their operations.
With this investment, Bioenterprise Canada expects to support up to 45 businesses contributing to clean growth, and accelerate the commercialization of up to 40 new products, services or processes, resulting in up to $20 million in sales.
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada's president and chief executive officer, said one of the critical gaps that has been identified in the Canadian food and agri-technology sectors is the difficulty in getting new innovations adopted by industry.
"This is partially due to the high risk associated with innovation adoption, but also the time and expertise needed to complete the implementations. Through our partnership with the government of Canada and FedDev Ontario, the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program was designed to address these concerns, making it far easier to move innovations into the market," Smardon said.
Located in Palmerston, Mapleview Agri Ltd. manufactures and distributes milk replacer products to feed calves, sheep and kid goats. Helping to meet growing global demand, the company is expanding into a new energy-efficient facility that will house an integrated lab space and new, fully automated systems.
With the $1.5 million in announced funding, the company plans to adopt specialized equipment to increase production capacity and enhance automation, quality control and efficiencies.
“With the support from FedDev Ontario, we are implementing our expansion plans to increase manufacturing capacity, ensuring we meet the growing demand of high-quality milk replacer products for Canadian farmers," said Aaron Keunen, vice president of Mapleview Agri Ltd.
Based in Guelph, Farm Health Guardian Ltd. a digital biosecurity and animal disease prevention software provider, has developed a farm biosecurity software system that reduces the risk and spread of animal disease, protecting farmers and food companies.
The software is expected to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring consumer access to a safe and secure food supply. Through an investment of $350,000, the company will be able to support the commercialization of its software system nationwide.
“The government of Canada funding is a huge benefit to Farm Health Guardian and the agriculture and food sector we serve. This project will support faster commercialization of our patented digital biosecurity technology, which will improve animal health and protect farmers and food companies from the risks of animal disease," said Rob Hannam, chief executive officer at Farm Health Guardian Ltd.
