Program Description: This program is designed to assist Manitoba’s agri-food and agri-product sectors in adopting and improving food safety and traceability practices. Financial assistance will be provided to eligible recipients for the development and implementation of food safety programs, food safety training, validation and verification activities and traceability. Food safety and traceability are not only important for public safety but also a requirement for many regulators, associations and customers.

The Market Development program is designed to advance the agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sector's innovation and business capacity to maintain existing markets and capture emerging market opportunities. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible recipients for market development activities that enhance the interprovincial trade and export capacity of individual businesses and improve overall domestic and international trade access for the sector.

Industry Development Initiatives program will advance the agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sector's capacity and competitiveness by providing funding to support incremental group learning activities, knowledge transfer events and resource development. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for activities that enhance the sector.

Supports access to community driven culturally relevant assistance services and the development of resource materials that focus on food system development and expansion, increases agriculture knowledge, business development, management and planning, risk awareness, and market expansion.

The Capital Infrastructure and Investments program supports the growth and expansion of Manitoba’s agri-processing sector. The program helps applicants with capital investment purchases for modernization and capacity-building activities that enhance efficiency, productivity and environmental sustainability, by providing access to: • The development and implementation of new technologies • New markets through the implementation of quality control measures • Streamlined and better managed operations, increased efficiency, and increased profitability by integrating company operations • New revenue streams associated with offering co-packing services • Co-packing services for brand owners who may not own their own agriprocessing capacity

The Relationship Development and Engagement program supports actions and activities related to engagement and enhancing relationships between Industry, academia, and Indigenous peoples. Community engagement is a critical component of project design, development and success. The program offers funding to eligible applicants to engage community members from project development through to project design and delivery.

The Market Development program is designed to advance the agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sector's innovation and business capacity to maintain existing markets and capture emerging market opportunities. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible recipients for market development activities that enhance the interprovincial trade and export capacity of individual businesses and improve overall domestic and international trade access for the sector.

The Research and Innovation Program supports the development of science-based solutions and tools that address known challenges, prepare for potential disruptions and climate threats, and capture emerging opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The Program provides funding to eligible applicants for basic and applied research and capacity building projects that advance the growth and sustainability of the sector by fast-tracking the pace of innovation. This can include the development of new technologies and practices, new products, and the advancement of knowledge.

The PREP program will provide up to $20,000 per project to complete on-farm research that supports the evaluation of whether a production practice change is feasible on-farm. The program will enable producers to gain sufficient data to make informed decisions and understand how to further adapt a production practice.

In most cases, producers are expected to be working with third-party service providers to support the project trial, delivery, and analysis. Proposals are required to contain a sound project design and testing approach that will support the evaluation of whether a production practice has a positive return on investment and is a favourable change for the farm.

The Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills Training (RRIST) Program, part of the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative, offers a maximum funding of $250,000 to support BC's agriculture industry in adopting innovative tools and practices for recruiting and retaining domestic workers. Eligible activities include developing new training programs, increasing workforce diversity, and improving recruitment and retention strategies.

The On-Farm Food Safety (OFFS) Program is a cost-sharing initiative designed to assist in the improvement of British Columbia’s (BC) food safety.

If you have an eligible BC on-farm businesses such as farmers, producers, packers, and ranchers, the program provides up to $10,000 to help you with your food safety projects.

KTTP is a cost-shared program designed to support B.C.’s producers and processors in adapting to changing environmental, production, and market conditions. 

The program helps drive innovation and long-term behavior change to strengthen B.C.’s agriculture and food sector by funding events and activities that foster practical knowledge and skill development.

Organizations can receive up to 75% in cost shared funding for eligible activities, including expert-led sessions, hands-on training, and on-farm demonstrations. 

For a successful application, organizations must show how the activities will transfer knowledge and/or build the skills of agriculture and seafood producers or processors with active operations in B.C. 

Traceability Adoption Program provides cost-shared funding towards the purchase and installation of traceability systems, practices, technologies, or infrastructure to help businesses meet new and existing regulatory requirements for the traceability of food, animals, and seafood products.

British Columbia's Lean for Food Processors program supports specialized business skill development to enable processors to make more informed decisions, optimize operating procedures, improve production capacity, increase labour productivity and strengthen their business.

B.C. Lean is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local food and beverage processing firms in the sector.

The ministry will provide successful applicants with up to $7,000 in cost-shared funding for services from a qualified business consultant.

The Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization Plan funds initiatives with sound business rationale and whole sector benefits based on recommendations of the Tree Fruit Industry Stabilization Plan
Such As:
Farm improvements
Farm equipment and tools
Farm debt repayment
Farm wages (e.g., seasonal labour, permanent staff support)
Farm infrastructure
Training and education for farm staff

The Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program supports projects in BC’s diverse value-added food processing sector to scale up operations to increase productivity, business opportunities, and competitiveness.

B.C.'s Agri-Business Planning Program provides funding support for primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food and beverage processors to support informed decision making and ensure business development.

The New Entrant Farm Business Accelerator (NEFBA) Program supports the growth of new entrants by providing financial support for the development and implementation of farm business plans and growth strategies. For the purposes of this program, New Entrant is defined as an agricultural producer who has not reported farm income for more than 5 years. The Program supports business planning and cost-shared purchasing of commercial farm infrastructure and equipment  needed to accelerate the revenue growth of farm businesses.

Through the NEFBA Program, a new farm business can receive support to develop a growth strategy and to make investments necessary to achieve farm income growth goals, ensure commercial viability and strengthen financial sustainability.

Program Goal: BC’s food supply is secure, and there is a reduced impact on the agriculture sector from climate-related and other emergencies.