Enhancing Agricultural Research and Development for Sustainable Growth in Canada
The Canadian agriculture and food sector is an essential contributor to the national economy, providing food for domestic consumption and playing a pivotal role in global food security. However, the sector is increasingly challenged by environmental pressures, including carbon emissions, water scarcity and biodiversity loss. In response, Canada aims to promote eco-friendly practices, increase food security, improve productivity and ensure the agriculture sector’s long-term viability and competitiveness. Despite substantial investments in agricultural research and development (R&D), there remains a lack of comprehensive tracking and alignment between public- and private-sector funding. This report provides a detailed analysis of R&D funding trends, identifies key research priorities and makes recommendations to enhance Canada’s agricultural R&D ecosystem for greater sustainability, productivity and competitiveness. The findings in this briefing paper are drawn from the full report, which can be found here: https://www simpsoncentre ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JSC-MITACs-Report_FINAL-2 pdf
This decline in TFP growth can be attributed to a reduction in the growth of research funding in constant dollars, highlighting the need for greater and more efficient investments in agricultural R&D. Increasing the allocation of funds to high-impact research areas, such as climate-resilient crops and precision agriculture, is essential to reversing this trend and boosting productivity in the sector.
The Canadian agriculture and food sector is at a juncture for the Canadian economy. To ensure its long-term viability, sustainability and global competitiveness, it is essential to increase investments in agricultural R&D. By enhancing co-ordination between the public and private sectors, focusing on high-impact research and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders, Canada can drive innovation and sustainability in the agriculture sector. The recommendations outlined in this report provide a roadmap for strengthening Canada’s agricultural R&D ecosystem, ensuring that it remains capable of meeting the challenges of the future while contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.