Introduction
Innovation has always been key to increasing competitiveness, improving adaptability, and strengthening sustainability.
Our farmers, food processors and businesses are creating new opportunities that are driving our agriculture, food and rural sectors forward in ways that strengthen our economy, communities and the environment.
By supporting ground-breaking initiatives, Ontario is contributing to research, knowledge transfer, economic development and agri-food innovation opportunities in the province.
Agri-food Prevention and Control Innovation Initiative
The Agri-Food Prevention and Control Innovation Initiative supports the agri-food sector’s efforts to innovate and invest in new technologies, leading to increased efficiencies and productivity, and helping support resilience, long-term sustainability and growth in the industry.
This initiative aims to modernize workplaces to enhance worker health and safety, reduce disruptions in business operations and the risk of COVID‑19 exposure in the workplace, while supporting the sector’s capacity to supply safe, high-quality and nutritious food.
The initiative aligns with the Prevention, Control and Outbreak Support Strategy for COVID‑19 in Ontario’s Farm Workers that was launched on November 16, 2020. It supports the strategy’s objectives and guiding principles to:
- prevent and contain COVID‑19 outbreaks in agri-food workplaces
- protect the health and wellness of agri-food workers, while respecting their rights and freedoms
- maintain the sustainability and viability of the agri-food sector
The Agri-Food Prevention and Control Innovation Initiative is focused on two key pillars:
- technology innovation
- social innovation
Technology innovation
The technology innovation component of the program is helping early adopters of technology to improve worker safety by leveraging innovative solutions to reduce COVID‑19 risk factors, while remaining productive.
Ontario has been supporting the agri-food industry in the development of sector-specific technology innovation road maps and other resources intended to promote the adoption of innovative technologies to help reduce the risk of COVID‑19 transmission in agri-food workplaces.
The sector-specific resources also have co-benefits to help the agri-food sector address labour challenges when implemented.
Sector projects
Asparagus Farmers of Ontario
The technology roadmap for reducing labour challenges in the Ontario asparagus industry highlights technology innovation opportunities that could help improve the sector’s efficiency. For more information, visit Asparagus Farmers of Ontario.
Berry Growers of Ontario Growers
The Technology Roadmap Berry Growers of Ontario Report (PDF) was designed to highlight innovative on-farm technologies to help reduce the risk of COVID‑19 transmission and address labour challenges in berry production.
Food and Beverage Ontario
A technology implementation guide for the Ontario food and beverage sector (PDF) was designed to help address labour challenges and limit COVID‑19 risks while providing information on new innovative technologies that they could implement in their operations.
Grape Growers of Ontario
The Grape Growers of Ontario Tech Innovation Roadmapping Project helps to identify innovative technology solutions and best practices that the sector could adopt to limit COVID‑19 risk factors.
Holland Marsh Grower’s Association
The Holland Marsh Tech Innovation Roadmapping Project uses technology to find innovative opportunities to help the sector protect worker health and safety and limit the spread of COVID‑19.
Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (Vineland Research and Innovation Centre)
A roadmap was developed with the support of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to make innovative changes that would help reduce the impact of COVID‑19 risks and address labour challenges for the Ontario processing vegetable growers. See the Technology Roadmap Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers Report (PDF) for more information.
Poultry Industry Council
The COVID-19 Resource Hub was created to help the sector identify how to reduce the spread of COVID‑19 in their workplaces and keep their workers safe.
Landscape Ontario
The Landscape Ontario Labour Assessment (LOLA) project provides an opportunity for the nursery sector to identify COVID‑19 risk factors and labour challenges within their operations, and make innovative changes to improve their productivity while mitigating COVID‑19 risks. Members of the sector can access online self-assessment tools and an interactive technology library outlining innovations available to the sector.
Ontario Ginseng Growers Association
The sector-specific tech innovation roadmap was designed to support the efforts of Ontario ginseng growers to implement innovative technology solutions to limit COVID‑19 risks and reduce labour challenges.
Ontario Aquaculture Association
This project explored options for Ontario fish farmers to adopt the latest technologies to improve sector-efficiency while reducing the risk of COVID‑19 transmission in their operations and addressing labour challenges. See full report: Feasibility Evaluation of Innovative Fish Farming Technologies to Prevent the Spread of COVID‑19 and Increase Productivity at Ontario Aquaculture Farms (PDF).
Ontario Sheep Farmers
Resources were developed to support sheep farmers looking to implement innovative on-farm technologies to limit COVID‑19 risks and reduce labour challenges. Please visit Ontario Sheep Farmers – COVID‑19 for more information. Some other resources to enhance on-farm management are available here.
Agri-tech Technology Innovation Cost-Share program
Ontario is supporting agriculture innovation to implement advanced or innovative technology, such as automation and robotic, that will:
- enhance the protection of workers health and safety against COVID‑19
- lead to business efficiencies and productivity
- help build the sector’s resilience
Learn more about the Agri-tech Innovation Cost-Share Program.
Social innovation
Social innovation is important to keep Ontario’s agri-food workers protected against COVID‑19. Projects under this component help:
- support and protect agri-food workers and other members of the community
- continue to build and foster an environment that is healthy, safe and allows workers to thrive and feel included
Resources library for agricultural workers and employers
The resources library for agricultural workers and employers project, designed by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, was funded through the social innovation component of the program. The library’s goal is to:
- provide international agricultural workers, through various distribution channels, with valuable, culturally appropriate resources in multiple formats to ensure language and literacy barriers are removed
- provide employers who have hired international agricultural workers with culturally sensitive guidance and information to share with those workers on prevention and control of COVID‑19 before they arrive on the farm
Workplace daily screening app
The workplace daily screening app assists with completing the daily COVID‑19 screening tool for farm workers and employers. This app provides a streamlined and efficient digital alternative to the screening form that helps employers to collect and log results while empowering workers to complete the form in their preferred language.
It was designed by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association and funded through the social innovation component of the program.
Mental health resources for international agricultural workers
Ontario recognizes the importance of mental health for farmers, their families and farm workers.
The government is funding research to develop services and supports tailored for international agricultural workers that come to Ontario each year.
The Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers’ research will assess current services and supports to:
- provide resources to international agricultural workers on how to access health care and mental health services as well as community connections and supports in their region
- provide recommendations to improve existing mental health services and supports for international agricultural workers so that their wellbeing and psychosocial needs are being met
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Through the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC), Canada and Ontario have been supporting new technology solutions and practices while increasing efficiency and competitiveness across the agri-food sector.
VRIC is an independent, not-for-profit, horticultural research and innovation centre, funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), that facilitates, coordinates and delivers applied research, innovation and commercialization activities that benefit the horticultural sector in Ontario.
More information on projects and initiatives can be found at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation
The Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) leads livestock research and innovation to identify opportunities that will benefit Ontario’s economic growth and move the agri-food sector forward into the future.
The Livestock Research and Innovation Centre, funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), also develops and maintains partnerships and collaborations that foster knowledge translation and transfer, outreach and communication.
Gryphon’s LAAIR
Technology and innovation research is key to Ontario’s economic growth, and supports the agri-food sector in developing new products to expand market opportunities.
Funded under the Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance and delivered by the University of Guelph Research Innovation Office (RIO), Ontario is supporting innovative technology and commercialization activities through the Gryphon’s LAAIR (Leading to the Accelerated Adoption of Innovative Research) program to:
- enrich the agri-food sector
- create jobs
- solidify the province’s position as a global leader in agri-food education, research and innovation.
Gryphon’s LAAIR helps to address gaps and overcome barriers to the application and commercialization of new University of Guelph technologies in the province’s agri-food and rural sectors.
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) is a program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that supports key projects to advance research and innovation:
Research is a key contributor to the success of the agri-food sector, strong rural communities, and the health and safety of food, people, animals and the environment.
The 2021–22 call has three streams of funding that will maximize the impact of research results by supporting Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) activities and provide support for advancing innovative technologies, services and products by funding market validation and product development activities.
Learn more about this year’s call for proposals and how to apply.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership)
The Partnership is a five-year commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
With research and innovation continuing to be a key focus across all programming, the Partnership offers cost-share funding to all members of the agri-food value chain to develop projects in three key priority areas:
Under the Partnership, Canada and Ontario support innovation, research, knowledge mobilization, commercialization, and the adoption of new practices across the agri-food sector.
Learn more about the supports and opportunities for innovation.