TORONTO - The government of Ontario is helping businesses in the province's agri-food sector to improve their operations so they can continue to support jobs, boost the economy and bring more safe, high quality foods to local and international markets.
The government has committed more than $6.5 million in funding to food processors and other businesses, including animal health, commercialization and primary agri-food businesses. This funding, provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), will support more than 100 projects in areas such as food safety, labour productivity and waste reduction. Businesses receiving the support share costs on the projects. Factoring in funding coming from the businesses, this will represent a joint investment of more than $28 million in the sector.
Some projects supported through this programing include:
- Implementing technology or other systems to enhance food safety;
- Helping the move to advanced manufacturing technology to enhance labour productivity; and
- Developing new products or processes designed to lead to significantly increased sales.
"Our government is committed to helping food processors and other contributors in our agri-food value chain to be even more competitive and grow their businesses," said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Investing in these projects will help boost innovation, enhance productivity and increase sales for our food processing sector and open the doors to new markets for the incredibly high-quality foods we produce."
To date, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support to more than 2,400 projects through the Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.
Source : Ontario