Government of Canada invests in innovative AI crop research to support Eastern Canadian farmers

SAINT-HUGUES, QC, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's farmers are committed to producing high-quality food for Canadians, Quebecers, and the world. Investing in innovative research ensures farmers have access to resilient, high-performing crops that keep Canada's agri-food sector strong.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Daniel Gobeil, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, and the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Quebec Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, announced up to $571,521 in funding over 3 years to Céréla Inc. through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

With this funding, Céréla Inc. will use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new crop varieties years faster than traditional breeding methods. By using AI to speed up development, Céréla will create high-yielding soybean and barley varieties adapted to Eastern Canada's growing conditions. This work focuses on breeding barley that resists Fusarium head blight and soybeans without anti-trypsin factors.

Shortening development time means farmers get better crops sooner. These faster results will help growers protect their crops against plant diseases and extreme weather, get quality products to market, and keep Canadian agriculture competitive.

The Government of Canada invests in innovative tools like AI to help farmers adapt to changing weather, protect our food supply, and grow the economy.

Quotes

"Innovation is crucial to a thriving agriculture sector, and supporting research like this ensures our farmers are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges. By investing in innovative AI research to develop new crop varieties years faster, we're putting resilient seeds into farmers' hands sooner, helping them stay competitive, and building a stronger future for Canadian agriculture."

- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Our farmers need the right tools to succeed, especially in the face of plant disease and a changing climate. This investment gives local growers quicker access to better, more resilient varieties of barley and soybeans so they can keep their farm businesses thriving."

- Daniel Gobeil, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord

- The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Quebec Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert

"To meet today's challenges, we must be more productive, more innovative, and more competitive. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's investment through the AgriScience Program therefore comes at a particularly important time for Canadian agricultural research."

- Dominique Lanoie, Owner, Céréla

Quick Facts

• Canada produces approximately 7 million tonnes of soybeans each year.
• In 2023, Ontario and Quebec accounted for 70% of the total soybean acreage in Canada.
• Barley represents approximately 11% of all grain production in Quebec.
• Developing new crop varieties traditionally takes more than ten years from initial crossing of parental genetic material to commercialization. AI technology accelerates the development of new crop traits, in some cases by years.
• Established in 2010, Céréla Inc. specializes in the development of non-GMO varieties of wheat, barley, oats, and soybeans for Canadian and international markets.
• The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (2023 to 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
• The AgriScience Program, under the Sustainable CAP, aims to accelerate innovation by providing funding and support for innovative pre-commercial applied science and research activities that benefit the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians.
• While today's announcement is supported through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component, it complements broader federal efforts to support producers and Canadians, including the separate $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy launched on June 11, 2026.
• Initiatives in the Strategy will reduce the cost of growing food, streamline supply chains, and remove unnecessary costs. It will drive productivity and innovation, support independent grocers, and create greater competition across Canada's food system to help lower prices for Canadians.

Additional Links

• AgriScience Program – Projects Component
• Céréla Inc. 
• National Food Security Strategy 

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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