MAPAQ — Ministerial Initiative for Plant Productivity
QC, Canada
Enhancing Quebec's agricultural productivity through equipment funding
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateDecember 10, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 07, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|openingSoon
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|projects
The eligible projects for this grant focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and expanding apiary resources within the Quebec agricultural sector. These initiatives aim at equipping agricultural and apicultural businesses with tools to improve efficiency and increase bee populations.
- Purchase of agricultural equipment that reduces labor hours in targeted plant production.
- Acquisition of equipment or materials to improve the health and increase the population of apiary stocks.
- Purchase of equipment that enhances workforce productivity in apiculture by reducing labor hours.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Introducing precision agriculture tech to minimize labor costs
$50,000
Purchasing automated irrigation systems to increase crop yield
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant targets agricultural enterprises situated in specific geographical regions in Quebec, categorized as peripheral or central. This allocation is intended to balance regional agricultural development.
- Peripheral regions: Abitibi-Témiscamingue–Nord-du-Québec, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Outaouais, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
- Central regions: Capitale-Nationale, Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches, Estrie, Montréal-Laval-Lanaudière, Laurentides, Mauricie, and Montérégie.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your business is either a CUMA or a qualifying agricultural operation as defined by the grant guidelines.
- Confirm that your agricultural registration details with MAPAQ are current and reflect your present situation.
- Step 2: Prepare Financial Documentation
- Gather necessary financial documents, including financial statements if your registration details are not up to date.
- Step 3: Project Preparation
- Develop a detailed project proposal outlining eligible expenses and the anticipated productivity gains.
- Identify if your project is eligible for bonus financial aid, such as involvement in organic precertification or located in a peripheral region.
- Step 4: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out the application form, providing detailed descriptions of the project and its potential impact on productivity.
- Include any required justifications, such as supporting documentation for a supplier deviation if applicable.
- Step 5: Submission of Application
- Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents before the specified deadline for your region.
- Ensure submissions are made while funds are still available, as applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis until credits are exhausted.
- Step 6: Contact Regional MAPAQ Office
- If needed, reach out to your regional MAPAQ office for further assistance or clarification during the application process.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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
Empowering Agricultural Productivity in Quebec
This grant initiative seeks to enhance the productivity of Quebec's agricultural enterprises specializing in plant production or apiculture. It offers financial aid to support the acquisition of equipment and materials to improve labor efficiency and increase apicultural stocks.
Detailed Insights into the Initiative for Agricultural and Apicultural Enhancement
The "Initiative ministérielle Productivité végétale" aims to bolster Quebec's agricultural sector by providing substantial financial support to enhance productivity across two key focal areas: plant production and apiculture. Through its dual objectives, the grant seeks to reduce labor hours and increase output in targeted agricultural operations, thereby contributing significantly to the economic vitality of the region's farming communities.
In its first volet, the program focuses on improving labor productivity within plant production enterprises. By subsidizing the purchase of labor-saving agricultural equipment, the initiative empowers agricultural businesses to streamline their operations, thereby enabling them to achieve greater outputs with reduced labor input. This support is particularly targeted towards cooperatives and agricultural enterprises that have a significant stake in the plant production domain, thus ensuring that financial aid is allocated where it can most effectively augment productivity.
The second volet shifts focus towards apiculture, with a strategic aim to enhance the health and size of bee colonies. Recognizing the critical role that bees play in the ecosystem as pollinators, the grant provides financial incentives for the acquisition of equipment and technology designed to lower bee mortality rates and bolster labor productivity in honey production. This assistance is aligned with Quebec’s broader ecological and economic goals, emphasizing sustainable practices that can lead to increased resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
It is important to note that projects seeking funding must demonstrate a minimum expenditure threshold and completion within a specified timeframe to qualify for financial assistance. This ensures that only well-planned and promising projects receive backing, ensuring optimal use of public funds. Additionally, there is a provision for an extra grant percentage that encourages projects involving biological certification, new generation farmers, cooperative ventures, or those located in peripheral regions, thus supporting diverse agricultural innovations and developments.
The financial aid offered through this initiative is structured as a non-repayable grant, which covers significant portions of eligible costs, making it a viable option for many agricultural enterprises aiming to upgrade their infrastructure or expand their operations. By providing a financial boost up to a maximum allowable amount, the initiative not only drives immediate growth but also encourages long-term strategic planning among Quebec’s agricultural producers.
This initiative represents a pivotal opportunity for enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Quebec’s agricultural landscape. Through targeted investments and support, it promises to drive substantial improvements in productivity, ensuring that Quebec remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation and efficiency. Ultimately, this grant is about more than just financial support; it’s about laying the groundwork for a thriving, diversified agricultural sector that can meet the challenges of tomorrow.
