Federal and provincial ministers signed bilateral agreement that invests $176 million in the province’s ag sector
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Lawrence MacAulay, the federal agriculture minister, and Ralph Eichler, Manitoba’s ag minister, signed a bilateral agreement on Thursday to implement the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) in Manitoba.
CAP is a five-year agreement to invest $176 million in the province’s agriculture and agri-food sector, according to a government release on Thursday.
“The Canadian Agricultural Partnership will help the sector in Manitoba continue to innovate, grow and prosper,” MacAulay said in the release.
“We are committed to expanding business opportunities for Canadian producers, ranchers and processors. And strengthening the middle class by helping the agricultural sector reach its full potential.”
The CAP agreement may support continued growth and offer opportunity for even greater success in Manitoba’s ag sector, Eichler added.
CAP will consolidate its Manitoba funding program into one program called the Ag Action Manitoba program. Administered by Manitoba Agriculture, farmers, agri-processors, industry organizations, researchers and industry service providers will be able to apply for funding for certain activities and investments, the release said.
The bilateral agreement focuses on six main areas:
- science, research and innovation
- markets and trade
- environmental sustainability and climate change
- value-added agriculture and agri-food processing
- public trust
- risk management
CAP’s strategic investments and activities will support industry-led research, innovation, market development, and competitiveness, the release said.
Through CAP, farmers will continue to have access to risk-management programs which help them to mitigate risks to their operation.
Application information will be posted here under “Canadian Agriculture Partnership” as details become available.
A digital newsletter will also be available, allowing industry stakeholders to stay up-to-date on program information.