Using three priority pillars, the Government of Ontario has announced its roadmap to building agriculture and food success over the next decade through the Grow Ontario Strategy.
Announced today, strategy is designed to “make sure the province’s food supply chain remains safe, strong and stable from farm to fork,” according to Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
The three pillars are:
- Supply chain stability;
- Increase agri-food technology and adoption; and
- Attract and grow agri-food talent.
Under each of these pillars, the government has laid out specific goals, as outlined in the full report.
The report sets out specific goals over a 10-year time frame of increasing consumption and production of food grown in Ontario by 30 per cent, food and beverage manufacturing GDP by 10 per cent, and boost ag exports by eight per cent annually.
The province also aims to increase total agri-food sector employment by 10 per cent by 2032, as well as increase awareness of modern, high-tech agri-food careers, opportunities for mentorship and hands-on job training, and support efforts to increase veterinary capacity in under-serviced areas of the province. This includes last week’s news of exploring opportunities to modernize the Veterinarians Act as part of the plan to increase access to veterinary care in Ontario.
Grow Ontario was created using insights from farmers, Indigenous community representatives, food sector leaders and businesses, according to OMAFRA.
