A national vision for agri-food innovation [Video]

Late last year, several nationally based reports were released on innovation in Canada’s agri-food space and what it needs to flourish.

All reports came to the same conclusion: there is great interest in agricultural innovation in Canada, but there is a disconnect between innovators, farmers and funders.

Canada has long been a global leader in agricultural production. Our natural resources, climate and geography give us advantages many others don’t have. Canada is also a top 10 global spender in agricultural research, notes Bloomberg, and the agri-food system is a significant pillar of the national economy.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada statistics, agriculture and agri-food from gate to plate employed 2.3 million people, provided one in nine Canadian jobs and generated approximately seven per cent (about $150 billion) of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in 2023.

The problem? Despite …