BY: Kyle Larkin, Former Executive Director, Grain Growers of Canada
Innovation has always been the driving force behind Canadian agriculture. From the first prairie research plots to today’s precision-guided combines, the success of our farms has been built on science, collaboration and forward thinking. Yet as global competitors increase their investment in agricultural research, Canada is losing ground.
Canada’s agricultural research and development spending has declined significantly, falling from $860 million in 2013 to $680 million in 2022, a decline of more than 20 per cent. This drop now places Canada last among the top seven Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in agricultural research expenditures. The consequences are significant. Many key vacancies are being left unfilled, and Canada risks falling behind in the race to develop the next generation of crops that will drive productivity and environmental performance in the years ahead.
For grain farmers, innovation is rooted in everyday decisions that help them stay viable and resilient through rising costs, shifting weather patterns, and increasing global demand. Research drives better yield, improves quality and lowers costs per bushel. It helps producers use fewer inputs while maintaining or even increasing productivity. Every advancement, from drought-tolerant wheat varieties to improved nitrogen efficiency in pulses, strengthens farm margins and allows for reinvestment in new technology. Those investments ripple through rural communities, supporting local businesses, equipment dealers and the agri-food value chain that depends on a competitive grain sector.
Research delivers strong returns for both farmers and taxpayers. Public investments in wheat breeding have been shown to generate $33 in benefits for every dollar invested. Beyond the direct financial return, research provides tools to meet Canada’s climate objectives such as reducing emissions and improving soil and water management. The economic and environmental case for supporting agricultural research is clear. What is needed now is a renewed commitment to ensuring that Canada’s research system is responsive, collaborative and properly funded to meet the demands of a modern agriculture sector.
Here in Ottawa, we continue to make the case that farmers must be at the centre of the research process. Research that begins with producers’ needs leads to practical solutions that can be applied on the ground. Too often, bureaucratic hurdles and aging infrastructure limit the ability of researchers to collaborate effectively with farmers and the private sector. This slows the pace of discovery and limits the return on public investment. Stronger collaboration between government, producers and researchers would ensure that new innovations move more efficiently from the lab to the field, where they can have the greatest impact.
Reversing this trend begins with placing farmers at the heart of research design and priority setting. Federal programs must be guided by real production challenges, from managing disease resistance to adapting to drought conditions, so that research produces tangible results. Collaboration between farmers, industry and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) must also be at the forefront when making investment decisions within research. Administrative barriers make it difficult for scientists at AAFC to work directly with producers or industry partners. Streamlining these processes would unlock valuable expertise and accelerate the development of new varieties and production techniques that benefit farmers across the country.
Funding should be tied to measurable results rather than projects completed or reports filed. When government and industry work toward clear outcomes such as improved yields or reduced input use, every research dollar delivers greater value. Modern, well-equipped research stations are also essential. Many of AAFC’s facilities are operating well beyond their intended lifespan. Rebuilding this infrastructure would allow scientists to conduct cutting-edge work that keeps Canada competitive and ensures discoveries are quickly translated into real-world applications.
Renewed public investment in agricultural research is one of the most effective ways to strengthen Canada’s economy, increase efficiency and support farmers in feeding a growing world. With the right policy direction, Canada can once again be a global leader in innovation. The return on that investment will not only be measured in dollars, but in resilient farms, secure food systems and new opportunities for future generations of producers.
As global and domestic demand for food continues to rise, Canada’s ability to meet that demand depends on research that helps farmers grow more with less. Investing in innovation today is how we ensure that Canadian agriculture continues to thrive tomorrow.