Sweet deal: Maple syrup maker in Algoma gets help with gear

A maple syrup operation in the Algoma District is one of more than 300 farming and agri-food businesses to get help with investments in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will expand production capacity or enhance efficiency, according to a government announcement.

The federal and provincial governments say they are investing up to $22.6 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), to expand production capacity and boost energy efficiency in the agriculture and food sector.

One of the example of investments made through this initiative includes up to $45,000 for Byler Enterprises Ltd., in Algoma District, to install reverse osmosis equipment for maple syrup production that concentrates sap, reducing boiling time and required energy, while improving syrup quality.

According to a news release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative is supporting 319 farming and agri-food businesses to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will expand production capacity or enhance efficiency.

This support, combined with cost-shared investments by the sector, is expected to generate up to $61 million in production investment improvements in the industry.

“There’s a growing demand for the top-quality products being produced here in Ontario,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “With support through the Sustainable CAP, this funding will help provide farmers and the agri-food sector with the tools they need to boost productivity, increase efficiency, and keep feeding the world.”

“Our government knows that supporting innovation in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector is key to it reaching its potential, while securing our collective ability to achieve the ambitious goals in our Grow Ontario Strategy,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “These investments will allow established and emerging businesses to speed up efforts to optimize their operations and support growth for our agriculture and food sector.”

Other examples of investments highlighted were:

• Up to $49,000, for Roelofsen Nursery, in Norwich, to purchase an electric self-propelled sprayer for field nursery crops.
• Up to $100,000, for Solmaz Foods, in Etobicoke, for a refrigeration and freezer investment to enhance energy efficiency and capacity.

The investments support the Grow Ontario Strategy’s objectives of increasing production and consumption of food grown and prepared in the province by 30 per cent by 2032 and boosting the economic impact of Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing sector by 10 per cent, according to the release.

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.

This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.