The Canadian Federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay has announced the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP) this past week. It will focus on four priority areas: adoption of new technology; environmental sustainability; strategic development and capacity building; and, emerging issues.
Examples of potential projects could include those addressing artificial intelligence technology, tools to assess future labour and skills needs, bio-crops, environmentally sustainable farming techniques and strategies to help the sector adapt to changes in consumer preferences.
CASPP replaces the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program. Applicants may apply at any point during the life of the program, until available funds have been fully allocated. Projects must be national in scope or deal with cross-sectoral issues. Applications for the program are now being accepted online.
CASPP builds on other Government of Canada initiatives to support competitiveness and sustainability in the agricultural sector. These include the $3-billion, five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership, $70 million announced in Budget 2018 to support agricultural discoveries in science and innovation to address climate change and soil and water conservation, the $25 million Agricultural Clean Technologies Program, and the Strategic Innovation Fund.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, February 12, 2019 news release.
Author: Robyn Meerveld
