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La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Interest-free loans for agricultural business development in Vallée-du-Richelieu
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
The La Vallée-du-Richelieu Agricultural Microcredit Fund provides interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to support start-up, development, or diversification projects for agricultural businesses located within the MRCVR. Eligible activities include the purchase of equipment or animals, consulting services, planting or land preparation, transformation, distribution, marketing, and other related initiatives.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Buying or selling a company
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : December 8, 2025
- Closing date : February 8, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- La Vallée-du-Richelieu
- Montérégie
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Activities funded
- Launching new agricultural businesses within the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu territory.
- Developing or expanding existing agricultural activities.
- Diversifying operations of agricultural enterprises.
- Acquiring equipment or animals for agricultural projects.
- Undertaking transformation, distribution, or marketing initiatives related to agricultural production.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 9,000
Diversify farm by acquiring mushroom cultivation equipment
$ 9,000
Install beekeeping equipment and develop artisanal honey products
$ 9,500
Purchase cold storage and hydroponic tables for leafy greens
Eligibility
- The business must primarily engage in agricultural activities.
- The head office and the activities of the project must be located in the territory of the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu.
- The business must be in pre-startup, startup, diversification, transformation, development, or business succession.
- The business must be a member in good standing of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).
- The business must be registered with the MAPAQ and hold a ministerial identification number (NIM).
- The proposed project must not have already been completed and must meet eligible objectives such as the purchase of equipment or animals, payment for consulting services, transformation, distribution, or any other related activity accepted by the committee.
- A promoter contribution of at least 20% of the project is required, which can take the form of capital, equipment, fixed assets, or incorporation fees.
Who is eligible?
- Agricultural businesses with their headquarters and activities located in the Vallée-du-Richelieu MRC
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose main activities are not related to agriculture.
- Enterprises whose head office and activities are located outside the territory of the MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu.
- Businesses seeking funding for the acquisition of quotas or other production shares.
- Enterprises that are not members in good standing of the local UPA union.
- Companies that do not have a ministerial identification number (NIM) as an agricultural producer.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of equipment or animals.
- Consulting service fees.
- Costs related to planting or preparing the land.
- Expenses for processing, distribution, or marketing.
- Acquisition of technologies, software, software packages, or patents (excluding R&D activities).
- Purchase or improvement of land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, as well as the construction, expansion, renovation, or development of land or premises.
- Working capital needs for the first year of operation (strictly related to activities).
- For business transfer projects: acquisition of ownership rights or assets of the targeted company, as well as professional fees directly related to the transaction and the transfer of management.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies headquartered and operating within the territory of the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu.
Selection criteria
- Feasibility of the project.
- Applicant's implementation capacity.
- Expected outcomes after the project.
- Leverage effect of the loan.
- Prospect of sustainable development and integration of technologies.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility criteria
- Confirm that your agricultural business operates mainly in agriculture
- Ensure the head office and activities are located in the MRC de La Vallée-du-Richelieu
- Make sure your project is in pre-startup, startup, diversification, transformation, or development phase
- Maintain compliance with laws, standards, and regulations
- Hold a valid UPA local union membership and a ministerial identification number (NIM)
2
Plan the eligible project
- Prepare a project that is not started yet
- Define the use of funds for equipment, animal purchase, advisory services, plantation, transformation, distribution, or marketing
- Ensure the project does not include ineligible expenses such as quota acquisition or normal operations
- Plan a minimum 20% financial contribution, which may be in cash, assets, or incorporation fees
3
Complete the application form
- Download the registration and financial assistance application form from the provided official link
- Gather necessary documents (proof of UPA membership, NIM, business details)
- Fill out the application form thoroughly
4
Submit the application and documents
- Submit the completed form and all required supporting documents by email to dev.zoneagricole@mrcvr.ca or contact the designated agricultural development agent
- Verify the submission deadline (October 15 to December 20, 2025)
5
Wait for application results
- Await the committee’s evaluation of your application
- The selection committee will notify you of the decision regarding your loan request
Additional information
- The fund requires a 20% equity contribution from the applicant, which may take various forms such as capital, equipment, fixed assets, or incorporation fees.
- Only two loans are awarded per year for a period of five years, based on a fixed fund capital.
- The fund is managed in collaboration with the local UPA union and Farm Credit Canada, along with the MRCVR.
- Applicants must be a member in good standing of the local UPA union and possess a ministerial identification number (NIM) confirming agricultural producer status.
Contacts
dev.zoneagricole@mrcvr.ca
4504640339
