OTTAWA, Ontario – The government of Canada announced an investment of C$50 million over five years in support of a new program, the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP), designed to spur opportunities for solutions to emerging issues facing the Canadian agriculture industry. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced the CASPP initiative during Canada’s Agriculture Day.

“Canada’s agricultural sector is strong and growing,” MacAulay said. “Our farmers know that to stay competitive and on the cutting edge we need to continue to adapt and develop new and innovative approaches to agriculture. The government of Canada is committed to supporting the sector find new ways to respond to new and emerging issues and seize new market opportunities.”

CASPP priority areas include the adoption of new technology; environmental sustainability; strategic development and capacity building; and, emerging issues. Potential projects could address artificial intelligence technology, tools to assess future labor and skills needs, bio-crops, environmentally sustainable farming techniques and strategies to help the industry meet changes in consumer preferences.

CASPP applicants may apply at any point during the life of the program, until available funds have been fully allocated.