In an increasingly complex and changing world, the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector needs a plan to mitigate risks. Maintaining the status quo may seem like a reasonable option, but the sector can no longer rely on dated policy frameworks that leave it unprepared in the face of challenges. It’s time to move from optimism to realism.
Phase 2 of the Agri-Food Risk Report, developed by The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) with support from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. While it has long been characterized by resilience and optimism, the report underscores an urgent need for realism and strategic action to secure the sector’s future.
“As a sustainable producer of safe and nutritious food, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. However, to ensure ongoing success and resiliency, we need to modernize our regulatory framework and revise our innovation ecosystem – to address structural deficiencies and investments into research and development portfolios. This will enable us create market impact and value, be more competitive and drive productivity for the sector,” says Steve Webb, chief executive officer at GIFS. “Phase 2 of the Agri-Food Risk Report is taking an important next step of this initiative by providing recommendations to develop innovative solutions for managing risks and seizing available opportunities to grow and thrive.”
A thriving agri-food sector requires more than just optimism—it demands a clear, strategic plan. The current policy framework, developed 25 years ago, has not evolved with the sector’s growing complexities, leading to missed opportunities and increased vulnerabilities. The absence of a long-term vision and coordinated risk management strategy threatens the sector’s ability to maintain its global competitiveness and economic resilience.
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