Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

What Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada does

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is Canada's federal department dedicated to the agriculture and agri-food sector, established in 1868 and headquartered in Ottawa. AAFC operates a nationwide network of research and development centres and experimental farms spanning Ottawa, Harrow, Guelph, Lethbridge, Lacombe, Indian Head, Scott, and Nappan, conducting foundational and applied research across crop science, livestock breeding, genomics, soil health, and precision agriculture. The department's core products and programs include the Canadian Drought Monitor, the Agroclimate Impact Reporter, the On-Farm Climate Action Fund ($300M expansion), the AgriScience Program, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership ($3.5B, 2023-2028), and the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, alongside emerging investments in AI-driven crop monitoring and quantum computing for resistance breeding.

AAFC is funded entirely through parliamentary appropriations; it does not generate commercial revenue. Its customer base is the entire Canadian agriculture and agri-food value chain—approximately 2.3 million workers across primary producers, processors, exporters, research institutions, food security organizations, and agricultural startups. The department supports segment priorities spanning markets and trade (targeting $110 billion in agri-food exports by 2028 and $250 billion in sector revenues by 2028), science and innovation, and sector risk management. AAFC distributes services through federal-provincial-territorial coordination frameworks, regional offices, direct funding programs, AgriPal program finder, and digital platforms, while channeling billions in grants to farmers, processors, and researchers through programs like AgriRecovery, AgriDiversity, and the AgriScience Program.

Name

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Legal name

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Website

https://agr.gc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a federal government department supporting the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector through research, policy, funding programs, and trade services, serving roughly 2.3 million workers across farmers, processors, exporters, and researchers via a nationwide network of research centres and multi-billion-dollar program budgets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Policy Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural research
• Agricultural policy
• Farm risk management
• Agricultural trade services
• Agricultural innovation funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a federal government department that supports the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector through scientific research, policy development, funding programs, market development and trade services, and risk management frameworks. The department operates a nationwide network of research centres and experimental farms, administers grant and disaster relief programs, and provides public goods such as the Canadian Drought Monitor and the Agroclimate Impact Reporter.

Product overview

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is a federal government department, not a commercial product company. Its 'products and services' consist of government programs, funding initiatives, monitoring tools, and public awareness campaigns that support the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. The core offerings include the Canadian Drought Monitor for drought tracking, the Agroclimate Impact Reporter for citizen-reported climate impacts, the National Food Security Strategy for food accessibility, and the On-Farm Climate Action Fund for emissions reduction funding. AAFC also conducts public outreach through the Taste the Commitment campaign highlighting sustainable farming practices. These programs are offered at no cost to Canadians and are administered through the department's website and regional offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canadian Drought Monitor A national monitoring system that provides monthly assessments of drought intensity and extent across Canada, with plans to incorporate machine learning and AI capabilities by 2026. The system uses gridded data covering 10-kilometre grids with approximately 1,500 data points from climate stations. It serves farmers, researchers, and policymakers across Canada's agricultural sector.
• Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) An online survey tool for collecting and reporting weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada, providing citizen science data for agroclimate monitoring. The system serves farmers reporting localized impacts and provides data inputs to national climate monitoring systems.
• On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) A $300 million funding program over three years supporting farmers' efforts to lower emissions and enhance resilience through cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing. Targets over 7,500 farmers across Canada.
• National Food Security Strategy A government initiative aimed at giving Canadians more choice, more control, and more affordable locally-produced food on shelves. Administered through the department's website and coordinated with provincial and territorial partners.
• Taste the Commitment Campaign A public awareness campaign showcasing Canadian farmers and agricultural businesses committed to quality food production while protecting the environment for future generations. Distributed through YouTube, social media, and the department's website.
• Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) A $3.5 billion five-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028) between federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-product sectors. Encompasses AgriScience, AgriRecovery, AgriDiversity, and other foundational programs.
• AgriScience Program A federal program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership that funds agricultural research and innovation through grants and collaborative research and development agreements. Recent recipients include A.U.G. Signals Ltd. ($1.65 million), Anodyne Chemistries Inc. ($1.24 million), and MustGrow Biologics Corp. The program supports projects integrating AI, low-carbon chemistry, and biotechnology into Canadian agriculture.
• AgriRecovery Disaster Relief Framework A federal-provincial disaster relief framework that provides funding to farmers recovering from natural disasters and extreme weather events. Recent activations include $25 million in combined federal and provincial support for Nova Scotia livestock and wild blueberry producers affected by severe drought.
• Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency Regulatory Services A federal regulatory agency operating as a branch of AAFC that regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting activities on horse races across Canada to ensure fairness for the public. Contact: [email protected], 613-759-6100.

Quantifiable outcome

• Targeting $110 billion in agri-food exports by 2028
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and innovative.

• Dalhousie UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2026Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Dalhousie University are jointly conducting trials on the Weed Zapper electric weed control system at a federal research farm in Prince Edward Island. The collaboration is testing the technology on vegetables including potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, and beets.
• Genome British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2026Genome British Columbia is funding three research projects for protecting BC's fruit and vegetable crops with collaboration from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers. Projects include developing qPCR tests for plant-parasitic nematodes, a natural biopesticide using RNA interference for wireworms, and improved PCR diagnostics for fruit crop pathogens.
• Province of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2026Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore interim arrangements keeping the Indian Head and Scott Research Farms operational during the federal government's planned disposal of these properties. The partnership aims to support continuity of agricultural research activities while AAFC strategically realigns its operations.
• A.U.G. Signals Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026The Government of Canada is investing up to $1.65 million in A.U.G. Signals Ltd. for AI-driven crop health monitoring and yield forecasting tools. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists will collaborate to validate AI models integrating satellite, drone, and field data over a three-year project.
• University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026The Government of Canada announced more than $4.5 million in funding for 24 University of Saskatchewan-led crop research projects under the Agriculture Development Fund. USask experts are also part of an AAFC-led team receiving $2.5 million through the Strategic Research Initiative to study herbicide-resistant weeds.
• Kwantlen Polytechnic UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Researchers from Kwantlen Polytechnic University collaborating with BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Renaissance Bioscience on biotech tools for protecting fruit and vegetable crops.
• Renaissance BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Collaborating with Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and AAFC on developing biotech tools for protecting BC fruit and vegetable crops.
• Alliance of Bioversity International and CIATcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026SuperQ Quantum maintains a five-year MOU with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT to leverage quantum-enhanced pipelines for accelerating resistance breeding in crops like rice blast, supporting the CGIAR Genetic Innovation Initiative.
• Fraunhofer ITWMinnovativeStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026SuperQ Quantum Computing's strategic partnership with Fraunhofer ITWM as part of global efforts to advance agricultural research and support global food security.
• SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc.innovativeTechnology or Integration · 19 March 2026SuperQ Quantum hosted a masterclass for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers at its Quantum Super Hub in Lethbridge, Alberta. The collaboration leverages hybrid quantum-supercomputing platforms for accelerating agricultural research including resistance breeding for crops.
• Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026CANZA launched a $4 million measurement, verification, and reporting system for soil carbon funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($2 million), Maple Leaf Foods, and Nutrien Ag Solutions. The project scales from 5,000 acres to 15,000 acres across Saskatchewan to help farmers measure and monetize climate-smart practices.
• Maple Leaf FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Co-funder of CANZA's $4 million soil carbon MRV system, contributing alongside AAFC and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
• Nutrien Ag SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Co-funder of CANZA's $4 million soil carbon MRV system, contributing alongside AAFC and Maple Leaf Foods.
• Summerland Varieties Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Genome BC is funding a collaboration between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Summerland Varieties to use genomics to accelerate cherry breeding, potentially shortening the traditionally 30-year cultivation timeline and developing varieties suited to temperature extremes.
• University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026A Genome BC-funded research collaboration with the University of British Columbia and SeedChange to identify genetic markers in wild and traditional carrot varieties to develop seeds suitable for BC's organic growing conditions and climate.
• SeedChangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Collaborating with UBC and AAFC to identify genetic markers in carrot varieties for BC's organic growing conditions.
• University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026UBC leads a $7.9-million federally-funded research initiative developing affordable tools to reduce methane emissions from cattle. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada collaborates on this project spanning multiple Canadian universities and industry partners.
• MustGrow Biologics Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025MustGrow Biologics Corp. received funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to investigate mustard-derived ingredients for human and animal health applications at AAFC's Guelph Research & Development Centre under a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement through the AgriScience Program.
• China (GACC)coreOthers · 3 November 2025Minister MacDonald completed his first trade mission to China, meeting GACC Minister Sun Meijun. Both sides agreed to renew the MOU between Canadian Food Inspection Agency and GACC and opened the Canadian Meat Advocacy Office in Beijing to support market access for Canadian meat products.
• Statistics CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Statistics Canada, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, releases model-based preliminary crop production estimates using satellite imagery and agroclimatic data as part of the AgZero initiative.
• Canadian Farmers (On-Farm Climate Action Fund)coreOthers · 28 January 2025Additional $300 million expansion of OFCAF to support farmers' efforts to lower emissions and enhance resilience over three years, targeting cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing activities for over 7,500 farmers.
• York University YSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024York University's YSpace agrifood business accelerator, funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriDiversity Program, welcomed 14 diverse food and beverage startups in May 2024. The program has facilitated capital funding, store listings, jobs creation, and connections with distributors and investors.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA is the closest international counterpart to AAFC, operating research, farm support, trade promotion, and food safety functions across the U.S. agriculture sector. It shares AAFC's mandate of agricultural research, commodity regulation, and trade facilitation, making it the most direct functional peer despite jurisdictional differences.
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), UK: DEFRA is the UK government's primary department responsible for agriculture, food, fisheries, and rural affairs, providing policy, research coordination, and farm support analogous to AAFC. It is the leading comparable peer among Commonwealth agriculture ministries.
• European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI): DG AGRI administers the EU Common Agricultural Policy, including direct farm payments, market measures, and rural development programmes. It is the EU-level analogue of AAFC's policy and program delivery mandate, though it operates within a supranational policy framework.
• Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Australia's federal agriculture department administers farm support, biosecurity, research, and trade functions across a commodity-export-oriented sector. Comparable to AAFC in supporting a trade-heavy agriculture economy and administering similar producer-support instruments.

Direct peers

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): CFIA is a sister federal agency under the same Minister portfolio, responsible for food safety, animal and plant health regulation, and inspection services that directly complement AAFC's research and trade mandates. Both agencies coordinate on plant-protection (e.g., potato cyst nematode), food safety, and trade negotiations.

Regional players

• Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand: MPI administers agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, forestry, and food safety policy for New Zealand. It shares AAFC's export-oriented focus and centralized policy approach but serves a much smaller primary sector.

Others

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): FAO is the UN specialized agency coordinating international efforts to defeat hunger, providing policy advice, research dissemination, and technical assistance across global agriculture. Relevant as a multilateral counterpart to AAFC on food security and sustainable agriculture, though it operates as an intergovernmental body rather than a national department.
• Statistics Canada: Statistics Canada is a close partner agency that produces satellite-imagery-based crop estimates in collaboration with AAFC under the AgZero initiative. It is a data-supplier peer supporting AAFC's agricultural intelligence products rather than a direct competitor.
• Genome Canada / Genome BC: Genome Canada and its provincial centres are co-funders of AAFC's genomics collaborations (cherry breeding with Summerland Varieties, carrot markers with UBC and SeedChange, BC fruit and vegetable protection projects). They serve as enabling partners in AAFC's research ecosystem rather than direct peers.

Emerging players

• National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act bodies (NIFA/USDA): USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture funds extramural agricultural research, extension, and education, closely paralleling AAFC's AgriScience Program and AAFC-led university research collaborations (e.g., University of Saskatchewan). Useful peer for the R&D funding dimension of AAFC's mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AAFC_Canada
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AgricultureCanadaEng
• Facebookfacebook.com/CanadianAgriculture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aafc-aac
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdn_agriculture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments40 records

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Frequently asked questions about Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada