Bioenterprise Canada Announces Recipients of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream

Sep 11, 2024

Guelph, ON– Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce the successful applicants of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream! Ten organizations have been selected for first call for proposals to receive funding to conduct market validation and product development projects, and to bring those innovative solutions to the market. The projects will help foster economic development of the sector, ensure protection and assurance in the sector, and provide stewardship of Ontario’s capacity to produce food.

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Bioenterprise is receiving up to $3.4M to deliver the OAFRI Commercialization Stream. This initiative provides successful applicants with up to $150,000 in non-repayable acceleration funding to transform innovative agri-food research ideas into leading-edge technologies, services, and new market-ready products.

“Ontario’s agri-food sector plays a vitally important role in bringing top-quality food to Canadians,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “With support under Sustainable CAP, these organizations will be able to tap into resources to help them get their innovative products closer to market. Congratulations to those selected!”

“Commercialization is a crucial step in bringing innovation to market and advancing the competitiveness of Ontario farmers and food processors,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “We are proud to work with Bioenterprise to ensure new products, technologies and solutions are available for Ontario’s farmers and agrifood businesses, which supports the prosperity of our broader industry and the province as a whole.”

“Congratulations to the successful applicants; all highly innovative companies,” says Dave Smardon, CEO at Bioenterprise. “Market validation and product development are critical elements to the ultimate commercialization and adoption of these technologies. It is through the vision and programming of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness and the partnership with Bioenterprise that has enabled us to be a catalyst to deliver these innovations to market for the betterment of the agriculture and food sector in Ontario.”

Source : Bioenterprises.ca

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.