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Agricultural Clean Technology Program In Canada

The Government of Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program is a cornerstone of its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy. 

This initiative supports the agricultural sector through two key streams: the Adoption Stream and the Research and Innovation Stream. 

It offers non-repayable grants ranging from $25,000 to $2 million to facilitate purchasing and installing technologies that decrease greenhouse gas emissions and bolster environmental sustainability. 

Focused on green energy, energy efficiency, precision agriculture, and bioeconomy solutions, the ACT Program is vital in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.

What Is The Agricultural Clean Technology Program?

The Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program demonstrates the government’s dedication to sustainable farming by supporting the development and use of innovative clean technologies in agriculture.

Since its inception, the ACT Program has supported 249 projects with a total investment of $95.8 million. A prime example is Entosystem Inc., which received $2 million to enhance its production of insect-based animal feed and fertilizers using advanced, energy-efficient technologies.

The ACT Program operates under two main streams: 

  1. The Adoption Stream focuses on deploying commercially available technologies that offer significant environmental benefits, such as reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG), fertilizers, and methane emissions. These projects are selected based on their potential to contribute measurably to Canada’s environmental targets.
  2. Research and Innovation Stream promotes pre-market activities, including research and development, aiming to foster innovations from 2021 to 2028. This includes both non-repayable funding for research and repayable funding for commercialization efforts, ensuring a comprehensive support system for groundbreaking technologies.

In its latest phase, the ACT Program is placing a heightened emphasis on projects that not only meet but exceed previous environmental sustainability criteria, pushing for greater reductions in GHG, fertilizer, and methane emissions. 

This emphasizes the program’s role in driving the necessary changes toward a low-carbon economy and bolstering sustainable growth within Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors.

How ACT Works

The Government of Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program, particularly through its Adoption Stream, is designed to support commercial and charitable organizations in the agricultural sector. 

This includes businesses, corporations, individuals, sole proprietors, cooperatives, partnerships, and Indigenous groups engaged in existing operations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG), fertilizer, and methane emissions.

Eligibility for the program requires applicants to be operational entities looking to enhance their environmental sustainability. 

Financial support is offered as non-repayable contributions from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), with project funding starting at a minimum of $50,000 in total eligible costs. 

The maximum funding per project is capped at $2 million, while a single recipient can receive up to $5 million across multiple projects.

Cost-sharing under the program typically follows a 50:50 ratio between AAFC and the applicant for for-profit entities, with not-for-profit organizations enjoying a more generous 75:25 ratio. 

Additionally, businesses where people from minority groups own or are in leadership positions in a majority (more than 50%), such as: 

  • Indigenous People
  • Youths
  • Women
  • Persons with disabilities
  • 2SLGBTQI+ community

Applicants must contribute their share in cash, as in-kind contributions are not accepted. 

They also need to provide an attestation of their eligibility, particularly when claiming a more favorable cost-sharing due to ownership by under-represented groups. 

It’s important to note that the total government funding, including federal, provincial, and municipal sources, will generally not exceed 75% of the eligible project costs.

How To Apply

Applying for the Government of Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program involves a straightforward two-step process, designed to efficiently assess project alignment with program criteria:

  1. Complete a Project Summary Form: 

Start by filling out the Project Summary form. This initial step helps determine if your project meets the eligibility requirements and aligns with the program’s objectives. 

The form serves as a preliminary assessment tool and facilitates a productive dialogue between you and the program staff. Detailed instructions for completing this form can be found in Annex C of the program guidelines.

  1. Submit a Project Application Form: 

If your project summary aligns with the program’s priorities, you will be invited to complete a more detailed Project Application form. The program staff will provide this form along with detailed instructions. 

Once submitted, your application will undergo a thorough review process. You will receive a notification once your application is considered complete. 

The program staff will contact you if more information is required or your application is incomplete after 30 business days.

Please ensure to submit your application by the deadlines, with the Adoption Stream closing on March 31, 2026, and the Research and Innovation Stream ending on March 31, 2028. 

Doing so will secure your potential to benefit from this $495.7 million initiative to foster sustainable agricultural technologies.

Conclusion

Solar technology has revolutionized Canadian agriculture in recent years

Numerous farms have embraced solar panels, installing them on barn roofs and outbuildings to harness clean energy efficiently. 

Doing so provides farms with enough energy for production. The surplus power can even be sold back to the grid, creating an additional income stream. 

If you’re ready to leverage the benefits of ACT through solar energy, contact Panel Upgrade Experts today!

FAQs

What are the advantages of solar power in agriculture?

Solar power in agriculture reduces energy costs, enhances sustainability by lowering carbon footprint, ensures reliable energy supply even in remote areas, improves water management with solar-powered irrigation, increases crop yields, offers government incentives, and is a long-term investment. 

What are the applications of solar energy in agriculture?

Solar power applications in agriculture include:

  • Solar-operated pumps for irrigation
  • Solar-powered farms
  • Heating and cooling greenhouses
  • Desalination and hot water systems
  • Solar-powered LED lighting for indoor crops

What are the challenges of solar power in agriculture?

The challenges of solar power in agriculture include inadequate knowledge leading to unsafe installations, higher maintenance costs, varying water capacity, inconsistent sunlight availability, and resistance to adopting new technologies over traditional methods.

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