The Government of Ontario, the University of Guelph, and Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario are celebrating a year of world-class research, innovation, training and laboratory testing that have delivered sustainable solutions for Ontario’s $51-billion agri-food sector.
In its first year of a renewed five-year agreement, the collaboration known as the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance contributed nearly $207 million to the province’s growing agri-food economy, growing businesses and helping the sector thrive.
The Alliance is fuelling the development of farm-ready robot technology, addressing challenges such as rural veterinary shortages, on-farm cybercrime and unlocking the keys to sustainable, efficient livestock, fish and egg production, all while equipping students with the hands-on skills they need for the future.
These are just some of the solutions developed for the province’s farmers, agri-food businesses and consumers and rural communities that are summarized in Growing Ontario Solutions, the Alliance’s annual report.
“Research and innovation are key assets for our agri-food industry’s long-term competitiveness, resilience, and adaptability in a changing world,” says Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The Alliance continues to generate tremendous technological momentum, and our government will continue to invest to enhance it. We are excited and eager to see the fruit of further research findings, innovation, and commercialization across our growing $51 billion agri-food sector.“
“The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance exemplifies the collaborative approach that is vital to moving agriculture forward in this province,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, interim president and vice-chancellor at the University of Guelph. “The University of Guelph is proud to contribute our world-class expertise in agricultural and veterinary sciences to this joint effort, which includes training future agri-food leaders. Together with our government, industry and academic partners, we will continue to solve challenges so farms, communities and businesses can prosper, and Ontarians can enjoy a safe, healthy, homegrown food supply.”
Four key Alliance benefits—a strong economy, a skilled workforce, innovative solutions, and safe, healthy food —stem from cutting-edge research and innovation, training and laboratory services that come together under the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance banner.
Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance by the numbers
In 2023/24:
- $72 million was invested by the Government of Ontario.
- $135 million was leveraged and invested by U of G.
- 74 new Alliance research projects were awarded to drive economic development, protect animal health and welfare and support sustainable, homegrown food.
- Alliance researchers worked with 164 partners on new projects, delivering solutions tailored to Ontario.
- 22 new patents were issued for Alliance-delivered innovations.
- 577 students gained job-ready skills through research projects.
- 7,400 farmers and members of the agriculture community were trained on safe pesticide use, manure application and field drainage.
- 14 new licences were granted for Alliance-funded research, including new crop varieties like dry beans for domestic consumption and international export.
- $1.2 million in commercialization revenue was generated from licences associated with Alliance-funded research.
- 738,000 Animal Health Laboratory tests were completed to monitor diseases and deliver answers for farmers and veterinarians
- 99.99 percent compliance with laboratory food safety program turnaround times was achieved, giving businesses quick answers to food safety questions.
About the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is the longstanding collaboration that brings together the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario to deliver Ontario solutions with global impact. Together, we are training the next generation of agri-food innovators and delivering world-class research, innovation and laboratory services for Ontario’s $51-billion agri-food sector.
Contact:
Jill Davies, Communications & Marketing Manager
Office of Research, Agri-Food Partnership
jdavie15@uoguelph.ca