Canada invests $148m in sustainable agriculture practices

The government of Canada has announced an investment of CAD 185 million ($148 million approx.) over the next ten years into developing and implementing farming practices to tackle climate change.

The new Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) programme aims to establish a Canada-wide network of regional collaborations led by farmers, with support from scientists and other sectoral stakeholders.

Together, they will co-develop and share management practices that best store carbon and mitigate climate change including shelterbelts, nutrient management, cover crops, intercropping and conversion of marginal land to permanent cover. As a result, the work will help protect biodiversity, as well as improve water and soil quality, in an effort to build climate resiliency across Canada.

The programme is in response to the worsening climate impacts and increasing risk of wildfires and extreme weather that farmers are facing.

To be eligible for the ACS programme, applicants must form a large network of partnerships within a province, including with agricultural non-profits and environmental groups.

The programme will proceed in two phases, the first launching in April which aims to support the development of proposals focused on regional collaboration hubs. The aim is for every province in Canada to have at least one collaboration hub.

The programme’s second phase will open as early as Autumn 2021, in which hubs can receive funding support of up to $10 million per project.

“Our government is working in partnership with farmers to develop and deploy the best practices that will fight climate change, protect our lands and waters, and deliver important economic benefits to farmers,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“With significant regional collaborations from coast-to-coast, Agricultural Climate Solutions puts farmers at the helm of steering Canadian agriculture towards a climate resilient future for the generations to come.”

Earlier this year, the government announced a $128 million investment into the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to strengthen the safety of its food supply.