Canadian farmers are key players in building a healthy environment and a more sustainable agriculture sector in Canada. Today, to support farmers in their efforts to tackle climate change, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, announced federal funding of up to $182.7 million for 12 recipient organizations to deliver the On-Farm Climate Action Fund across Canada.
The recipient organizations include ALUS Canada, B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, Canola Council of Canada, ECOCERT Canada, Manitoba Association of Watersheds, New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc., Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) and L'Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).
Direct support to farmers will fall under these target areas:
- Cover cropping: for example, payment-per-acre to cover adoption or related costs such as seeds and equipment. Cover crops are plants, like clover and alfalfa, that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested.
- Nitrogen management: for example, agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans, equipment modifications for fertilizer application in fields, and soil sampling and analysis.
- Rotational grazing: for example, agronomic services to develop grazing management plans, interior cross fencing, water system infrastructure, legume and forage seeds. Rotational grazing is the practice of containing and moving livestock through pasture to allow forage plants to recover, deepen their root systems and improve soil health.
Recipient organizations across the country will redistribute funding through individual application intakes. The Fund will help address barriers to wider adoption, including up-front implementation costs, lack of risk protection, minimal or delayed returns on investment and limited availability of information and agronomic services. Farmers across Canada are encouraged to use the On-Farm Climate Action Fund Web Tool for Farmers to determine which recipient organization best serves their geographic area and needs.
Activities supported through the Fund are expected to reduce GHG emissions by up to 2 million tonnes by 2024. Together with Canadians and communities, the Government of Canada is taking real action to fight climate change and build a strong, prosperous future for everyone. Canada's agriculture sector currently accounts for 10 percent of Canada's GHG emissions and has the potential to play a key role in reducing national GHG emissions and improving climate resiliency.
The Government of Canada is focused on working as a partner for Canadian producers as they help Canada meet its national emissions reduction targets, protect the environment, and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural businesses and economy.
