The Department of Agriculture is offering two new programs to support innovation and research that can lead to new opportunities for the industry in Prince Edward Island. The programs were announced today by Agriculture Minister Neil LeClair.
“The Prince Edward Island agriculture industry must aggressively pursue new strategies to improve the production and marketing of our products in order to become more competitive and profitable,” said Mr. LeClair. “Under these new programs, the department will be providing financial support for innovation and research projects that can help move the industry to new levels.”
The agriculture innovation program will provide financial support for projects to encourage value-added opportunities, on farm diversification and innovative technologies. Eligible applicants include producers, industry organizations and businesses. The program will provide 50 percent of the costs of up to $30,000 for value added projects, and 50 percent of the costs of up to $20,000 for diversification projects. Some cost-sharing is available on innovative technology evaluation projects to a maximum of $10,000.
The agriculture research fund will support short-term applied research that will result in added economic benefits for the industry by developing new information and practices. Projects eligible for financial assistance include variety or crop research trials, commercialization of new crop and livestock production, crop by-product feeding and pest management research. Industry organizations are eligible for 75 percent of project costs to a maximum of $40,000 for multi-year projects. Individual producers, public and academic institutions and agri-businesses are eligible for a lower level of cost-sharing.
“There are many new and exciting ideas that have been developed by producers, farm organizations and businesses that can lead to expanded opportunities for the industry as a whole,” said Mr. LeClair. “These programs will help bring practical new ideas and technologies that will help support the continued expansion and diversification of the industry in this province.”
Details of the programs are available by contacting the department