Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why was the program created?

The Agri-Opportunities program was created to address a gap in the commercialization of agricultural products, processes or services by providing financial capital to eligible recipients, and by sharing investment risks with the private sector.

Agri-Opportunities will generate increased demand for primary agriculture products by creating new markets. It will provide opportunities for farmers to participate in value-added enterprises. Projects will be selected, in part, based on their potential to increase demand for primary agricultural products and benefit to the agriculture value chain, including farmers.

Many different groups can apply, including individuals, academic institutions, businesses, producers, agri-businesses, co-operatives, non government organizations, non-profit entities, and aboriginal groups.

Agri-Opportunities is a multi-year, $134 million program ending on March 31, 2011. Funds will be made available to applicants through a two-step process:
- Applicants submitting full proposals can access up to $10 million per project and per eligible recipient regardless of the number of projects approved over the life of the program. The target program contribution per project is 33% of total project costs. Funding provided to for-profit organizations will be in the form of repayable contributions. Funding provided to not-for-profit organizations will normally be non-repayable

Yes. The Agri-Opportunities Program targets a government stacking ratio below 66% (federal/provincial/territorial) of total project costs.

It is expected that proposal synopses will be processed in about one month from the time that the program’s account managers have all the information they need to make an assessment. Processing time for full proposals will depend on the complexity and the completeness of the proposals.

Proposal synopses for step one will be accepted on an on-going basis. They will take about one month to assess.
The next deadlines to submit a full proposal in step two are September 14, 2007 and January 18, 2008. Subsequent deadlines will be announced on the program's website and on the program's toll free number 877- BIO-4682.

The guide for preparing a proposal synopsis may be obtained by calling the program's toll free number 1-866-367-8506, or by emailing the program administration.

The Agri-Opportunities program focuses on the later stage of commercialization, when agricultural products, processes and services are ready or nearly ready to introduce to the marketplace. Other agriculture programs such as the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program, the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI), the Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP) and various research programs fund activities in the earlier stages of commercialization and earlier in the innovation chain.

Program applicants must provide concrete evidence demonstrating that their agricultural product, process or service is not currently produced or available in Canada. Evidence can be provided through patent registration or through validation by a third party independent organization. Appropriate experts and an Industry Review Committee with review and validate the evidence and provide advice to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on which proposals merit support.
"New" can be defined as completely new, as a new use of an existing product, process or service, or a significant technological improvement to an existing product, process or service.

Corporations are eligible under the program, however, the program seeks to fund those individuals, businesses and entities who have innovative agricultural products, processes or services, along with a solid business and market case but who face significant financial barriers to market entry. Priority will be given to projects that can be expected to increase market opportunities for the Canadian agricultural industry, generate demand for primary agricultural products, and demonstrate a need.

The Agri-Opportunities Program is available nationally. Proposals will undergo a competitive evaluation process and funds will be provided based on demand. Funding will be made to a variety of projects where benefits accrue right across the agriculture value chain.

Projects can be new products made from primary agricultural products such as grains, livestock, and agriculture residues and by-products. Products could include bioproducts such as plastics, fiber board, neutraceuticals, lubricants, functional foods, new food products, and new uses of agricultural by-products. It could also include a new crop that is being introduced to Canada and that will generate benefits include across the value chain.
Projects can be new processes such as technology used to manufacture agri-food products. The new technology can be part of a project that is bringing a new product to the marketplace or it could be new technology that will be sold to many agri-businesses. In the latter case, the project must demonstrate that it will significantly increase demand for primary products and benefit the agriculture industry.
Projects can be new services required because of the introduction of new technology or a new product. It can be knowledge, information or expertise required by agriculture businesses to successfully bring their new products or technology to market. These services could be disseminated through advisory services, workshops and training.