Canada's Bibeau proclaims details to reduce carbon emission via Agricultural Clean Technology Program

CANADA, 9 June 2021: Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau recently announced details for the new USD 165.7 million Agricultural Clean Technology Program, according to fortsaskonline report.

Under the program, farmers and agri-businesses will have access to funding to help develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance their competitiveness. This funding will help them continue to move towards a low-carbon economy by focusing on three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency; precision agriculture; and the bioeconomy. The new program consists of two funding streams.

Adoption Stream

It will support the adoption of clean technologies, with a priority on those that meaningfully reduce GHG emissions. Eligible recipients will have access to non-repayable contributions for projects that are at least USD 50,000 in total cost. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will contribute up to 50 percent for projects with for-profit recipients and up to 75 percent for not-for-profit recipients. This funding stream will extend over five years, from 2021 to 2026, and will allocate USD 50 million specifically for the purchase of more efficient grain dryers for farmers across Canada and USD 10 million towards powering farms with clean energy and moving off diesel.

Research and Innovation Stream

This will support pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of agricultural clean technologies. Eligible recipients will have access to non-repayable and repayable contributions of up to USD 2 million for projects, normally cost-shared 50-50 with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This funding stream will extend over seven years, from 2021 to 2028, the report added.

“Canadian farmers have always taken care of their land, and that is why we are leaders in sustainable agriculture. In the face of this new climate reality and the expectations of Canadian and foreign consumers who want to know that their food has been sustainably produced, we must double down on our efforts, particularly by investing in the development and adoption of energy-efficient technologies. Together, we will grow our agricultural sector in an even more sustainable way,” Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said.

The two-step intake of applications will launch later this month. Eligible recipients for both streams include for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous groups.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada estimates that this program has the potential to reduce up to 1 megaton of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide equivalent) from the Earth’s atmosphere.

Image credit: americanprogress.org