$163 milion for Canadian farmers

by S. C.

The Government of Canada is launching a five-year, $163 million Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). CAAP will help farm families to respond and adapt to challenges in their operations and will build on the successes of the previous program, Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF).

Projects funded under CAAP will be proposal-based and originate from industry. The program encourages the agricultural industry to work in partnerships across the value chain—farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers—to develop and use innovative solutions and to explore new market opportunities. Projects will address a range of challenges and opportunities including in the areas of traceability, environment, pests and diseases.

There are national, regional, multi-regional components of the program. Eligible recipients for any of the three components of CAAP must be legal Canadian entities capable of entering into a contract. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals, organizations, associations, cooperatives, marketing boards, corporations, aboriginal groups, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies. Federal, provincial and territorial government departments or agencies, universities, and colleges are not eligible.

The regional aspect of CAAP will be delivered by Industry Councils across the country. The national aspect, delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will fund eligible projects that are national in scope.

Under the regional component of CAAP, the Industry Councils will help farmers across the country exercise leadership in advancing the agricultural sector and provide them with opportunities to work with others to find solutions to shared challenges.

Located in every province and territory, the Industry Councils, will also be able to access additional funding by undertaking collective outcome projects in collaboration with other councils and national organizations.