Farmers and agribusinesses in the Prairies and across Canada are leaders in climate-smart agriculture, inventing innovative ways to make their operations more environmentally friendly and overall, more sustainable. The Government of Canada is supporting clean technology research, innovation, and adoption, including targeted funding for farmers to help decrease grain drying costs and to help them continue on their path to a low-carbon economy.
As a representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies, the Honourable Jim Carr, stated that the new $165.7 million Agricultural Clean Technology Program is currently accepting applications.
This new initiative gives farmers and agribusinesses access to funds to assist them develop and implement the most cutting-edge clean technologies with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving their competitiveness. It will set aside $50 million for the acquisition of more energy-efficient grain dryers.
There are two funding sources for the new initiative. The first is the Adoption Stream, which will help fund the acquisition and installation of proven clean and sustainable technology and solutions that reduce GHG emissions significantly.
The second is the Research and Innovation Stream, which will fund pre-market innovation in agricultural clean technologies such as research, development, demonstration, and commercialization.