The Ontario government is investing up to $7 million through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance to support 34 made-in-Ontario research projects that turn innovative research into market-ready solutions for farmers and food processors. 

“Today’s investment will help Ontario farmers remain leaders in food production, delivering safe and high-quality local food to our communities and to markets around the world,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, we are ensuring farmers have access to the solutions and technologies to build a stronger, more competitive and resilient agri-food sector.”

This new funding is part of the province’s $47.5 million investment over seven years through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance’s research programming to support innovative, market-driven research across the agri-food sector.

The .2026 projects that relate to horticulture include:

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• -  Preventive strategies for aggressive pepper wilt in Ontario’s greenhouse sector
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• -  Smart drone-based pollination system for greenhouse production
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• -  Integrated disease management of Stemphylium leaf blight of onion: incorporating host and fungicide resistance
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• -  Elucidating strategic and biological mechanisms influencing efficacy of anti-greening edible coatings for potato tubers
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• -  Circular economy business models for Ontario’s greenhouse and horticultural sector
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• -  Integrated weed management strategies for control of herbicide-resistant weeds in Ontario 

The Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance supports agri-food research and innovation projects through a competitive process on an annual basis. 

Quick facts: 

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• -  The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph (U of G), with agri-food research taking place at research centres owned by Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO).
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• -  Ontario’s world-renowned research ecosystem includes 14 agri-food research properties owned by ARIO, which cover 5,600 acres and include more than 220 buildings. These facilities allow Ontario researchers to conduct high-impact agri-food research on a wide variety of issues.
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• -  The eligible U of G researchers interested in applying for research project operating funding may do so through the next Alliance Tier 1 Research Program Call for Proposals which will be accepting applications early in June 2026.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness May 26, 2026 news release