How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 45% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity?

MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity is funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

What are MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a Cooperative for the Use of Agricultural Equipment (CUMA) or an agricultural operation where at least 50% of the gross agricultural income is from targeted crop production. For apiculture projects, the applicant must be registered with the MAPAQ Beekeepers' Register and adhere to the Apiculture protection subgroup of ASREC insurance of La Financière agricole du Québec for the year 2025.

MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Enhancing Quebec's agricultural productivity through equipment funding

MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $50,000
Up to 45% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : January 7, 2025
Closing date : February 7, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Funds Providers

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity program

The Initiative ministérielle Productivité végétale provides non-repayable grants of up to $50,000 to increase productivity in Quebec's plant production and apiculture sectors through the purchase of equipment. Eligible activities include improving workforce productivity in targeted plant production and increasing the apicultural herd.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides non-repayable financial aid designed to enhance the productivity in specific agricultural sectors in Quebec. The funding levels are determined based on the nature of the project and the applicant’s compliance with specific criteria.

Non-repayable contribution with a maximum financial aid rate of 45% for labor productivity projects in plant production (Volet 1) and up to 50% for projects increasing the beekeeping industry (Volet 2).
An additional 15% aid may be granted if the project satisfies one of the following: involves products with biological precertification or certification, relates to a new generation farm, involves an agricultural equipment cooperative (CUMA), or is located in a peripheral region.
The maximum total aid per applicant for the duration of the initiative, including any bonuses, is capped at $50,000.
Expenditure eligibility must meet a minimum threshold of $5,000 at the time of application.
The aid is cumulative for projects submitted during the first submission period (November to December 2023), affecting the calculation of the maximum aid amount.

Eligible projects & activities

The MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity focuses on enhancing the productivity of plant-based agricultural operations and beekeeping in Quebec through technology acquisition and resource improvement. Eligible projects range from purchasing agricultural equipment to improve workforce productivity to acquiring materials that support beekeeping health and expansion.

Acquisition of agricultural equipment to reduce manual labor hours in targeted plant production.
Purchase of equipment to increase the productivity of agricultural workers in plant production.
Procurement of equipment or materials to enhance the survival rate of bee colonies and expand the apicultural livestock.
Implementation of new technology or equipment to achieve significant labor savings in apiculture.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Purchasing automated irrigation systems to increase crop yield

$ 50,000

Introducing precision agriculture tech to minimize labor costs

Eligibility criteria of the MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be a Cooperative for the Use of Agricultural Equipment (CUMA) or an agricultural operation with at least 50% of its gross agricultural income coming from targeted plant productions.
The agricultural operation's eligibility will use information from its agricultural operation registration file with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ). It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure before the submission of a financial assistance application that this information reflects their current situation.
For applicants involved in apiculture, the operation must be registered in the MAPAQ bee owners' registry and adhere to the "Bee Protection" subgroup of crop insurance provided by La Financière agricole du Québec.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the grant under Volet 1, applicants must either be a Cooperative for the Use of Agricultural Equipment (CUMA) or an agricultural operation with at least 50% of its gross agricultural income derived from targeted plant productions, as verified through the MAPAQ's farm registration records. For Volet 2, applicants must be a CUMA or a farm engaged in beekeeping, registered with the MAPAQ's bee owner registry, and must participate in La Financière agricole du Québec's bee protection insurance program. Additionally, projects must have eligible expenses of at least $5,000 and be completed with claims filed by February 15 of the following financial year. Projects by a CUMA must involve at least three agricultural operations and aim to purchase equipment improving labor productivity or, for beekeeping, reducing bee mortality.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant focus on the acquisition of agricultural equipment and materials linked to productivity and expansion objectives.

Purchase of agricultural equipment for improving productivity in targeted plant production, which allows for a reduction of at least 40 labor hours annually in the identified agricultural task.
Purchase of beekeeping equipment and materials that maintain hive health, increase bee survival rates, and expand the bee colonies.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for companies located in specified regions in Quebec. The eligible regions are designated to encourage agricultural productivity in less urbanized areas.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue–Nord-du-Québec
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Côte-Nord
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Outaouais
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

How to apply to the MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity program

Verification of eligibility criteria

Check that you are a cooperative for the use of agricultural equipment (CUMA) or a farm that meets the specific criteria of the sections.
Make sure that the information in your agricultural operation registration file with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is consistent with your current situation.
If necessary, prepare the financial statements for one of the last two complete financial years.

Project Preparation

Identify a project that meets the eligibility criteria, with eligible expenses of at least $5,000.
For Component 1, ensure that the project aims to acquire equipment that improves labor productivity in crop production.
For Component 2, ensure that the project aims to increase the beekeeping stock or improve productivity in beekeeping.
Verify that the required agricultural equipment is available from a recognized supplier in Quebec or request a waiver if necessary.

Submission of the application

Fill out the financial aid application form.
Provide all the required supporting documents.
Submit the application during the submission period corresponding to your region: from December 10, 2024, to February 7, 2025, for peripheral regions and from January 7 to February 7, 2025, for central regions, or until funds are exhausted.

Reception and monitoring

Wait for confirmation of receipt of your request.
Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by MAPAQ.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The submission of projects will continue until February 7, 2025, or until funds are exhausted, with only complete applications being processed.
Grants are non-refundable and provided as subsidies, with a maximum funding rate of 45% for Volet 1 and 50% for Volet 2 of eligible expenses.
Additional financial aid (15% of eligible expenses) can be given in cases of biological precertification, new entrant farms, CUMAs, or projects in peripheral regions.
A maximum aid amount of $50,000, including bonuses, can be awarded per applicant throughout the initiative's duration.
Equipment shared among different agricultural operations must be included in a single application.
For agricultural equipment valued at $2,500 or more, preference must be given to suppliers located in Quebec, with the possibility of applying for a waiver if unavailable locally.

Apply to this program