Fields of opportunity: Making agriculture Canada’s next growth engine through innovation

When it comes to innovation, Canadian agriculture has a perception problem, as an industry that has been quietly operating under the radar of most Canadians for decades, where nostalgic views of farming do not align with the reality of an industry that is among the most innovative in the world.

For most Canadians, stepping onto a modern Canadian farm would shatter outdated stereotypes of agriculture. Agriculture is an industry driven by data, science and precision – and one that stands to benefit hugely from advancements in artificial intelligence. For almost a decade, experts have been pointing to the agriculture industry as an area primed for growth, and there has been a steady call for Canada to unleash the industry’s potential.

Canadian agriculture is already a big piece of the pie when it comes to Canada’s economy. The sector is responsible for about 7 percent of the GDP, contributing almost $150 billion annually while employing 2.3 million people. A new federal government has refuelled discussions about Canada’s potential to be an energy superpower, and we must not lose sight of the fact that agriculture is the engine that feeds and fuels Canadians and the world.

Canada has a small population relative to its huge land base. We are one of only a handful of countries with the resources and regulatory credibility to be a global leader in sustainable agriculture and food production for markets around the world. The world needs what Canada grows, making agriculture a key strategic advantage for the country.  Our ability to support both domestic and global food security ultimately contributes to our own economic and national security.

Recent research from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) showcases just how sustainable Canadian-grown crops are compared to our global competitors, demonstrating that Canadian growers are producing some of the least carbon-intensive crops in the world. What’s the recipe for this sustainability success? According to GIFS, it is driven by the widespread adoption of various innovations and farming practices.

And while this is an impressive story and one Canadians should be proud of, in many ways it is a story of success against the odds. Farmers rely on access to the latest innovations in seed technology and crop protection to grow the best crops they can in the face of constantly changing climate conditions and new pest pressures.

However, new innovations have been slow to make it into the hands of Canadian farmers, often caught up in outdated regulations, or worse yet, they never make it to Canada at all.

Canada has failed to prioritize smart regulation, which is highlighted in its dismal ranking of 32 out of 38 member countries for administrative and regulatory burden as tracked by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Canada’s global market share in agriculture has also fallen by 12% since 2000, while competitors have gained ground.

A recent report from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) shows that crop productivity growth in Canada peaked in the 2000s at an annual average rate of 2.9 per cent and is projected to drop to 1% by 2030. To reverse this decline, Canada must make agriculture a national priority, by setting clear targets for integrating regulatory efficiency into economic growth objectives and fostering an inviting business environment to attract innovation.

As Canada enters a new era focused on driving economic growth and competitiveness, there is a real opportunity to lean into agriculture. It has a long history of being innovative and driving results for Canada, but we need a regulatory environment that enables innovation rather than discourages it. We need a system that protects both human and environmental health while also acting as a catalyst for innovation and growth.

The opportunity is now to make our regulatory systems the best in the world for encouraging innovation. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have recently published red tape reduction plans that signal a renewed focus on reducing duplication, leveraging approaches from trusted jurisdictions, and streamlining pre-market review processes. Canada must seize this moment and allow our world-class regulators to collaborate with scientists and industry experts in shaping modern regulatory approaches that match the pace and ingenuity of the innovations they are designed to oversee.

We have done this before. In the 1990s, Canada led the world in science-based regulation of genetic modification in plants through its approach to novel food, feed and seed. That approach served us well for decades, but science and technology have since evolved. Recently, regulators worked with scientists and experts in the agricultural sector to renew those approaches, to create new world-leading guidance for gene editing in plant breeding. When we work together, progress is possible – and it can be achieved with the speed and efficiency required to keep up with an innovative agricultural sector that is currently outpacing our regulatory system.

Think about the opportunity lost if it takes 10 or 15 years for a farmer to get a new drought-tolerant seed variety or a crop protection product to stop a devastating pest. That delay means countless fields full of potential are needlessly lost. It results in lost income for farmers, reduced GDP for the Canadian economy, the spread of invasive species, the loss of crops needed to support food security, and ultimately, higher costs for consumers.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a bold vision and a commitment to action, the Canadian government can create a regulatory environment that continues to ensure safety while it enables innovation, spurs economic growth and positions Canadian agriculture as a true strategic advantage for the country.