Quick Facts
- Public agricultural research funding has declined over the past decade, threatening key research facilities and long-term innovation.
- A renewed focus on basic research and innovation is essential for productivity and sustainability in Canadian agriculture.
- Coordination between producers, academia, and government is necessary for effective research and knowledge dissemination.
Issue Overview
Agricultural research is fundamental to the long-term success and sustainability of Canada’s agricultural sector. Over the years, the priorities guiding agricultural research have evolved in response to changing political, economic, scientific, and societal factors. However, in recent years, there has been a notable decline in public funding for agricultural research and infrastructure. This has led to underinvestment in basic scientific discovery—jeopardizing the sector’s ability to benefit from innovations and productivity gains.
Without sustained support, Canada risks falling behind in global agricultural competitiveness. While recent policy changes signal a renewed commitment to innovation, more is needed to ensure Canadian farmers are positioned to take full advantage of emerging opportunities.
A collaborative approach is necessary to build a stronger, more resilient research environment. This includes engaging producers in research planning and implementation and ensuring that new scientific knowledge effectively reaches farm operations through extension services and applied research initiatives.
Working Towards Solutions
The Canadian agricultural research system must prioritize stability, inclusivity, and innovation. This requires:
- Improved coordination and collaboration among stakeholders—including producers, researchers, industry, and government—to guide investments and policies.
- Support for all stages of the research value chain, from fundamental discovery to commercial application.
- Renewed investment in agricultural extension services to ensure producers can access and apply research findings.
- Monitoring and tracking the uptake of agricultural innovations to inform future research funding and policy decisions.
Additionally, efforts must be made to ensure that knowledge translation and dissemination mechanisms are well-resourced and connected across the sector. Organizations involved in sharing research findings should work closely with farmers, researchers, and policymakers to encourage implementation.
Read about our policy goals for research in our Policy Manual