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Twenty-one Ontario agri-food research projects funded through CAP

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $2.76 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) in Ontario-led agri-food research to develop new, innovative technologies, practices and solutions to make the sector more competitive and resilient.

The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) is supporting 21 projects that provide Ontarians with safer, healthier, and more locally grown and made food items while boosting trade and rural economic development.

“New research and innovation like the projects being announced today are vital to keep Ontario farm and food businesses strong and growing,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food. “Our government will always get behind projects that improve the competitiveness of our sector and support the long-term sustainability of our farmers and processors.”

“The results of these research projects are going to help farmers, food processors and businesses across the entire industry with new knowledge, technologies and innovative solutions that will build resiliency into our agricultural practices now and in the future,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.

Projects will focus on enhancing food safety, developing innovative production systems and increasing plant health and protection. Examples of research projects receiving funding include:

• Reducing food waste by finding solutions through compostable plastic products and up-cycling opportunities;
• Improving training of workers involved in food processing using digital simulations for more interactive safety training in meat plants; and
• Enhancing detection of plant viruses using new technologies to help avoid production and economic losses and maintain plant health.

These research projects offer a unique opportunity to develop partnerships between industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and government. The 15 Ontario research organizations receiving funds will train 65 students and leverage an additional $1.6 million in funding partnerships with industry and non-government organizations.