The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, today announced that funding is available through the 2021-22 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program to support existing farmers and new entrants to the province’s agriculture and agrifoods sectors.

The Province will invest $2.25 million this year, with priority on projects which support food self-sufficiency, increase agricultural growth and secondary processing, and generate employment. Successful applicants will also be eligible for cash advances to ensure funding is available early in the season when they most need it.

Applicants must have reported a minimum of $15,000 in eligible agriculture sales, or qualify as a new entrant, to take advantage of the program. To encourage and support new farmers in the industry, new entrants can also qualify for up to $20,000 in funding under the Agriculture Infrastructure program.

The 2020-21 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program falls within two streams, focusing on land development and agriculture infrastructure. More details are available in the backgrounder below and online. The deadline to apply for funding is May 12, 2021. For more information call 709-637-2077 or email: PAAP@gov.nl.ca.

Funding applications are also available for projects under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement providing $37 million in support for the agriculture and agri-foods sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal of this partnership is to enable the agriculture industry to grow, innovate, and prosper.

To apply visit Canadian Agricultural Partnership, email CAP@gov.nl.ca, or call 709-637-2077.

Quote
”Funding from the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program has helped many farmers expand their operations and gives entrants a chance to start growing new agricultural businesses. I encourage eligible farmers and new entrants to apply for funding under this program. Together we will achieve our collective goal to increase secondary processing of food products, generate employment within the agriculture industry and – most importantly – increase food self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program
 
Canadian Agricultural Partnership

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Information on Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program

The Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants involved in primary production or secondary processing activities which will improve the economic viability of the agriculture and agrifoods industry; promote commercialization and growth in the sector; and enhance the competitive capability of the agriculture and agrifoods industry. The program may also provide selective assistance to regional pastures, agribusinesses, and agricultural groups for initiatives that support the priorities of the program.

The 2021-22 Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program has two streams:

Land Development

• Rough clearing of new agricultural land is reimbursed at $1,500 per acre, and enhancement is reimbursed at $1,500 per acre.
• There is no funding limit under the land development program. Funding offers will be prorated based on program demand.

Agriculture Infrastructure

• Eligible project costs are reimbursed at 50 per cent for applicants. Regional community pastures qualify for up to 100 per cent for pasture amendments and fencing, and up to 75 per cent for equipment purchases. Eligible expenses include equipment purchase, facility and building construction, site development, and third-party labour.
• Funding limits are based on tiered farm income ranging from $20,000 for new entrants to $75,000 for applicants with over $100,000 in agriculture sales.

New Entrants

Individuals, partnerships, co-operatives or corporations establishing a new agribusiness may be considered a new entrant under the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program. Funding commitments are based on agricultural training/education, on-farm work experience, commercial farm viability, and a significant financial investment in their farm business.