Montreal, March 9, 2021 - In its drive to increase the resilience of the agricultural sector in the face of climate change and labor shortages, the Agtech Zone recently launched the Innovation Program for Food Autonomy (PIPAA). Currently in its pilot phase, this program offers personalized support to agricultural producers in the Greater Montreal and Lanaudière regions, helping them to solve their productivity challenges.
This initiative, aimed at increasing Quebec's self-sufficiency and food security, was made possible by a financial contribution of $50,500, provided in equal parts by the Quebec government and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) as part of the Programme de développement des activités agricoles et du secteur bioalimentaire. This program was set up following the conclusion of a sectoral agreement between the CMM and the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH) and the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ).
At the end of their journey, five agricultural producers will benefit from the support of one of the 14 companies participating in PIPAA, with the aim of designing and implementing innovative solutions and technologies. These solutions should enable the selected producers to address the following key issues:
Quotes :
"Thanks to the Innovation Program for Food Autonomy, innovative solutions will be deployed in the metropolitan region, for the benefit of food autonomy and security throughout Quebec. I'm delighted that our government is supporting this initiative. By equipping agricultural producers to meet the challenges they face, the Agtech Zone not only mobilizes local players, but also contributes to the development of expertise and know-how."
- Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport and Minister responsible for the Greater Montreal Area
"The fusion of agriculture and technology is unquestionably an effective means of progressing towards greater food autonomy for Quebec. I enthusiastically welcome the launch of this innovation program by Zone Agtech and the positive spin-offs it will have for local agricultural producers. Quebec's sustainable economic recovery inevitably depends on the productivity and profitability of our agricultural businesses, and on greener practices. The Quebec government is proud to encourage innovative projects like this one.
- André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
"The introduction of this new program is perfectly in line with the vision of the Plan métropolitain de développement agricole, which aims to support the growth of agricultural and agrifood activities. Not only will it promote the resilience of Greater Montreal's bio-food system and the food security of its citizens, but it will also help support the recovery of agricultural businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and stimulate innovation within this key sector of our economy and food system."
- Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
"Increasing food self-sufficiency in the context of labor shortages and climate change is a colossal challenge. While some solutions exist to meet producers' challenges, others are still little-known or have not been invented at all. The PIPAA was created to fill this space, bringing together agricultural producers, developers of innovative solutions and sector experts to identify and transfer suitable solutions. The Agtech Zone will then support producers in implementing on-farm solutions, notably by offering project management services and financing assistance, all to increase the supply of Quebec agri-food products."
- Marilou Cyr, Director of Zone Agtech
About Zone Agtech
An incubator of knowledge, entrepreneurship and innovation, the Zone Agtech, located in Quebec's L'Assomption RCM, is a geo-located zone dedicated to bringing together the entire ecosystem to propel the technologies of tomorrow's agriculture: green, high-performance agriculture that consumes fewer inputs, water and energy. Strategically located within the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), the Zone provides access to Greater Montreal's logistics hub and, in a single location, to research teams, a business network, advisors, training, financing, research facilities and visibility platforms. It focuses on the development of cutting-edge, high-performance solutions to support agricultural producers' transition to more sustainable production, less vulnerable to climatic hazards and labor scarcity.
About the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
Created in 2001, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) is a planning, coordinating and financing body that brings together 82 municipalities, representing 4 million people spread over a territory of more than 4,360 km2. The CMM is responsible for land use planning, economic development, social housing, public transit and the environment. For more details: www.cmm.qc.ca.
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Information :
Kassandra Martel
Project and Events Manager
Zone Agtech
514 816-2692
kmartel@zoneagtech.ca
Julie Brunet
Communications Advisor
Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
514 350-3445
julie.brunet@cmm.qc.ca
Éric Laporte
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for Transport
and Minister responsible for Greater Montreal
438 863-7180
