MAPAQ - Prime-Vert - Component 1
QC, Canada
Prime-Vert Program: Innovatively supports sustainable agricultural practices with substantial financial aid.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Gouvernement du Québec
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Prime-Vert program focuses on enhancing agroenvironmental practices in agricultural operations. Eligible activities include projects like reducing pesticide usage, improving soil health, managing fertilizers, optimizing water management, and promoting biodiversity. Financial support varies, covering up to 70% of expenses depending on the activity, with specific funding limits for individual and cooperative projects.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant supports various projects aiming to enhance environmental practices in agriculture. Activities include reducing pesticide use, improving soil health, managing fertilizing materials, optimizing water management, and promoting biodiversity.
- Reduction of pesticide use and their environmental and health risks
- Improvement of soil health and conservation
- Enhanced management of fertilizing materials
- Optimization of water management
- Promotion of biodiversity
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$4,900
Halifax
Reducing pesticide use by implementing anti-insect nets for strawberry crops
$8,400
Ottawa
Creating habitats for biodiversity by developing agroforestry hedges on a dairy farm
$11,900
Montreal
Implementing biological control and pheromones to reduce pesticide use in blueberry farming
$11,900
Kelowna
Optimizing water management by implementing new irrigation technology on an apple orchard
$7,000
Edmonton
Improving soil health through the use of cover crops on a grain farm
$10,500
Calgary
Developing a riparian buffer zone to promote biodiversity on a mixed vegetable farm
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Prime-Vert program 2023-2026 aims to increase the adoption of agro-environmental practices by agricultural operations in Quebec. Below are the eligibility criteria for participation in the grant program:
- Being an agricultural operation.
- Being a cooperative for the use of agricultural machinery (CUMA) with at least three agricultural operations in the relevant branch.
- Increasing the number of vegetable, maple, or beekeeping production units with pre-certification or organic certification status.
- Submissions within six months of obtaining pre-certification or organic certification status.
- Certified by an organic certifying body with clear details on unit types and their certified areas.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible companies for this grant include agricultural enterprises and agricultural equipment cooperatives (CUMA) with specific conditions based on the sub-volet of the grant they are applying for.
- Agricultural enterprises
- Agricultural equipment cooperatives (CUMA) with at least three member agricultural enterprises connected to the project
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The eligible expenses for this grant cover various types of projects aimed at improving environmental practices in agricultural operations.
- Purchase or modification of equipment for mechanical, manual, electric, or thermal weeding
- Purchase or modification of equipment to reduce pesticide risks
- Implementation of anti-insect nets
- Usage of biological control agents or pheromones
- Purchase or modification of equipment for the simultaneous sowing and incorporation of cover crop seeds
- Purchase or modification of equipment to improve fertilizer spreading precision
- Implementation of hydro-agricultural works
- Implementing water supply and storage works
- Purchase or rental of equipment for water irrigation management
- Establishment of extended riparian strips and shoreline vegetated strips
- Creation of habitats for biodiversity
- Development of agroforestry hedges
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are the various regions within the province of Quebec.
- Regions of Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
Projects must align with at least one objective of the 2020-2030 Sustainable Agriculture Plan (PAD) and fulfill specific requirements to be considered eligible for funding. Below are the evaluation and selection criteria:
- Proposed projects must fit within an admissible category as specified by the grant.
- Projects should directly support the adoption of agro-environmental practices by agricultural producers.
- Equipment or methods employed must contribute to the reduction of pesticide usage and risks.
- Projects need to aim for soil health improvement or conservation.
- The project must enhance the precision and efficacy of fertilizer management.
- Proposals should focus on optimizing water management.
- Projects should promote biodiversity through habitat creation and protective measures.
- Submissions must include all required documents, such as detailed quotes, plans, and certifications.
- Applications must include a diagnosis or comprehensive project description by qualified individuals such as engineers or advisors.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Take knowledge of the full text of the program
- Download and read the program details PDF
- Step 2: Consult the applicant guide and other relevant documents
- Make sure to review all materials related to the intervention you are interested in
- Step 3: Prepare an email to submit your application
- Ensure all required documents and forms are attached and completed
- Use the supplied email address: Prime-Vert.2023-2026@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant has a range of miscellaneous information to support applicants in the process and requirements of submission.
- Bonification of 15% for eligible client groups: young farmers, those with pre-certification or certification in organic farming, CUMAs, and projects in Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
- The application must be submitted electronically and be complete with all required documents.
- The financial aid awarded covers up to 50-70% of eligible expenses, depending on the project type.
- Application forms must be downloaded, filled, and submitted via email.
- Claims for reimbursement require invoices, proof of payment, and other specified deliverables to be provided upon request.
- Applicants have a right to appeal an evaluation decision within 30 days of communication.
- Various technical and diagnostic forms are provided online and must be used for application where specified.
- A presentation interactive for the Prime-Vert program and several detailed presentations for sub-components are available in PDF format for reference.
Apply to this program
Overview of Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant
The Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant aims to enhance the adoption of agro-environmental practices within agricultural operations in Québec. It offers financial support for projects ranging from pesticide reduction, soil health improvement, to biodiversity enhancement, and transitioning to organic agriculture.
Comprehensive Guide to Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant Opportunities
The Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food of Québec (MAPAQ) provides significant financial assistance to agricultural operations aiming to implement eco-friendly practices. This grant program is broken down into various sub-segments, each addressing specific areas to optimize agricultural sustainability. Below is a detailed explanation of each sub-segment under the Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant.
1.1 Support for Realizing the Sustainable Agriculture Plan (PAD)
This sub-segment promotes the adoption of practices that align with the Sustainable Agriculture Plan 2020-2030 (PAD). It includes four categories of eligible projects:
1.1.1 Projects to Reduce Pesticide Use and Risks
Eligible projects under this category focus on reducing the environmental and health risks associated with pesticide use:
- Achat ou modification d’équipement de désherbage mécanique, manuel, électrique ou thermique: Purchase or modification of mechanical, manual, electric or thermal weeding equipment.
- Achat ou modification d’équipement de réduction des risques liés aux pesticides: Purchase or modification of equipment to reduce pesticide-related risks.
- Implantation de filets anti-insectes: Installation of insect nets.
- Utilisation d’agents de lutte biologique ou de phéromones: Use of biological control agents or pheromones.
The financial assistance covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, with exceptions like biological control agents or pheromones, which can receive up to 70% support.
1.1.2 Projects to Improve Soil Health and Conservation
Projects under this category aim to enhance soil health and conservation:
- Achat ou modification d’équipements permettant simultanément le semis et l’incorporation de la semence de cultures de couverture: Purchase or modification of equipment that allows simultaneous seeding and incorporation of cover crop seeds.
This assistance can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses.
1.1.3 Projects Enhancing the Management of Fertilizing Substances
These projects focus on improving precision in the application of fertilizing substances:
- Achat, ou modification d’équipements améliorant la précision de l’épandage des matières fertilisantes: Purchase or modification of equipment that enhances the precision of fertilizer application.
This sub-segment also provides up to 50% financial assistance for eligible expenses.
1.1.4 Projects for Optimizing Water Management
Eligible projects in this segment include:
- Implantation d’ouvrages hydroagricoles: Construction of hydro-agricultural structures.
- Implantation d’ouvrages d’approvisionnement et du stockage d’eau: Development of water supply and storage structures.
- Achat ou location d’équipements de gestion de l’eau d’irrigation: Purchase or rental of irrigation water management equipment.
The financial aid can go up to 50% of the costs for these projects, with additional technical documents required for application.
1.1.5 Projects to Improve Biodiversity
Projects under this category include the following:
- Aménagement de bandes riveraines élargies et bandes végétalisées en littoral: Establishment of wider riparian buffers and vegetated shoreline bands.
- Aménagement d’habitats pour la biodiversité: Development of habitats to enhance biodiversity.
- Aménagement de haies agroforestières: Planting agroforestry hedges.
Financial help extends up to $40,000 for these projects, accompanied by specific technical instructions for planning.
1.2 Support for Managing Agricultural Residual Materials
This sub-segment encourages practices to minimize and manage agricultural waste effectively:
- Gestion des eaux de lavage de fruits et légumes: Managing wash water from fruits and vegetables.
- Gestion des eaux usées de procédés générées par les activités d’agrotransformation: Managing wastewater from agro-processing activities.
- Gestion des solutions nutritives serricoles: Managing nutrient solutions in greenhouse production.
- Gestion des déjections animales produites dans une cour d’exercice: Managing animal waste produced in exercise yards.
- Gestion des résidus végétaux générés par les activités de production ou d’agrotransformation: Managing plant residues generated by production or agro-processing activities.
This sub-segment offers up to a maximum of $125,000 per applicant over the duration of the program, covering up to 70% of eligible expenditures.
1.3 Support for On-Farm Trials of Agro-Environmental Practices
This sub-segment promotes experimental implementation of agro-environmental practices:
- Projects must be supervised by an agricultural advisor.
- Trial duration should not exceed three years.
- The trial should be conducted on a maximum area of five hectares, including the test areas.
The maximum financial assistance is $15,000 per project and $30,000 per applicant over the duration of the program, covering up to 70% of eligible expenses.
1.4 Support for Converting to Organic Agriculture
This sub-segment aims to assist farms transitioning to organic agriculture:
- This provides funds for conversion to organic status, and applications must be submitted within six months of achieving pre-certification or certification.
- The maximum financial assistance is $20,000 per operation—$10,000 for pre-certification and $10,000 for certification—over the duration of the program.
- The support includes various amounts per unit of production, such as $2,500 per hectare for horticulture and fruit production and $5 per square meter for greenhouse crops.
Applicants are required to submit detailed documentation, such as attestation of certification and proof of land or unit of production.
How to Apply
To apply for the Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant, the following steps should be taken:
- Review the full program text and relevant guidance documents.
- Submit all required documents electronically to Prime-Vert.2023-2026@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
- Ensure that your application includes complete and accurate information as only complete applications will be processed.
For additional information or to consult with a MAPAQ advisor, applicants can contact their regional MAPAQ office.
Review and Decision Appeal
If an application is denied or if there is a disagreement with the evaluation decision, applicants have the right to appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision. The appeal process involves submitting a formal request for review through a designated form.
Conclusion
The Prime-Vert – Volet 1 Grant offers significant financial support to Québec's agricultural sector for adopting environmentally sustainable practices. By providing targeted assistance across multiple areas, this grant aims to foster a greener, more sustainable agricultural industry in the region. Ensuring detailed and accurate application submission is crucial for maximizing the chances of grant approval.
