Government of Canada invests more than $8.7 million to help farmers adopt clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Across the country, Canadian farmers are on the frontlines of climate change.

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced 28 additional projects under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program. This investment of more than $8.7 million will support the adoption of clean technologies across Canada.

“Recent droughts and flooding across Canada are another stark reminder that Canadian farmers are on the front lines of climate change,” Bibeau stated. “This new wave of innovative green projects announced today under our Agricultural Clean Technology Program demonstrates our intention to help farmers optimize the stewardship of the land, while increasing their productivity and profitability.”

“With pivotal research and development under way, the future of farming in Canada is promising“

Investments in clean technology are supporting farmers who must face the challenges of today—from drought to extreme weather—and propelling climate action to build a healthy future for Canada. This new investment builds on work already under way to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop technology to adapt to climate change.

“Here in Manitoba, we are working closely with farmers to develop and implement farming practices to sequester carbon and tackle greenhouse gas emissions,” member of parliament Jim Carr, added. “Through investments in local projects, such as Baker Farms’ new grain dryer, we continue to enable the adoption of practices that will accelerate emission reductions in the agricultural sector.” 

In Manitoba, more than $2.5 million will support five new projects. Under the ACT Program, farmers and agri-businesses will have access to funding to help develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost their long-term competitiveness. This funding is focused on three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency, precision agriculture; and bioeconomy solutions.

Through the recently expanded ACT Program, it is anticipated that current pollution levels will be reduced by up to 0.8 megaton as a result of fuel switching and decreased fuel consumption. This program is already helping hundreds of farmers with contributions of at least $50,000 to adopt clean technologies, including new grain dryers or barn heating systems.

“With pivotal research and development under way, such as the work in the lab at Hylife Ltd. to offset fertilizer emissions, the future of farming in Canada is promising.”

The Government of Canada continues to make investments to create an enabling environment for the research, development and adoption of clean technology. This will help farmers and agri-businesses drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and sustainably feed a growing global population.