Producers of organic foods and the groups that help them succeed have helped make the organic industry one of Canada's fastest-growing fields. Maintaining growth in this industry is crucial to satisfy rising consumer demand. This can only be accomplished through concerted efforts and partnerships. However, converting from conventional to organic farming in Canada requires a certificate, which takes nearly 36 months and costs significantly. Multiple factors have contributed to an increase in interest in organic alternatives. All requirements are established following the Canadian Organic Standards. How you transition to organic farming will depend on the specifics of your farm and the goods you intend to sell. But let's check out what the government did to make getting certified easier.

March 2022 Fund 

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Current Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced a grant of up to $103,400 to the Organic Federation of Canada to facilitate a new collaboration that will advance the organics industry in Canada and hasten the certification process. Previously, The Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has pledged up to $297,330 to the Prairie Organic Development Fund (PODF) to help farmers implement organic farming methods. This investment will assist PODF in implementing its Canada Organic Ingredient Strategy, which disseminates specialized know-how, best practices, and knowledge to current organic farmers and those looking to adopt more organic production techniques. To increase public confidence in Canada's agriculture and food system, PODF will also raise awareness of and understanding of the advantages of organic farming.

The Certificate Process Will Be Accelerated By the Organic Transition Fund More Quickly and Economically Than Before

The Organic Transition Fund offers financial support to organic farmers to offset the additional expenses they incur when switching to organic farming. With this program, producers can receive up to $1000 in reimbursement for their paid certification expenses. This program is intended for growers in their first, second, or even third year of pre-certification or who are already certified organic but want to increase the amount of organic land they use. They will help farmers in need during the pandemic with this level of assistance because they have nearly twice as much funding as they did last year. Farmers must be in the pre-certification stage or increasing their acreage on a farm that is already certified to be eligible for the program (or adding livestock operations). The program pays for organic certification fees and consultation costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $1,000 when supporting documentation is provided.

Bottom Line 

Although it is still in its infancy in Canada, organic farming is now a significant part of the country's agricultural sector. Its growth depends on creating Canadian organic standards and laws that guarantee a reliable certification process and organic labeling for consumers. The Canadian Organic Standards must undergo updates every five years to maintain consistency and consumer confidence in organic labeling. As knowledge and technology advance, the sector must show that it effectively achieves its environmental and societal goals while reducing yield and price differences from conventional agriculture to continue expanding.