CFA FPT Roundtable – Data as the Foundation for Sustainable Productivity Growth

July 18th, 2022 – OTTAWA – On July 16-17, CFA held its Summer Board Meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon. This meeting brought together farm leaders from across the country to discuss the priority issues in Canadian agriculture, and to prepare for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers Roundtable.

During the meeting, farm leaders from across Canada held discussions on a range of critical policy issues affecting Canadian agriculture, including:

• Mental health and national farmer wellness,
• Challenges and opportunities in growing agriculture in the Yukon,
• The evolving role of the Senate and its role in addressing agricultural issues, and
• Canada’s agri-food innovation ecosystem.

The board also discussed the growing disconnect between the level of investment available to support Canadian farmers given the sector’s contributions to the Canadian economy and global food security, as well as its potential as an environmental solutions provider. To remain competitive, drive continued innovation, and attract investment into the agriculture sector, governments must ambitiously invest in Canadian agriculture at a rate far exceeding what is currently made available.

The board also discussed CFA’s role on the international stage through leadership at the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO), ongoing engagement with the World Trade Organization (WTO), and a strong presence at United Nations climate negotiations. Discussion focused on the need for continued focus on maintaining both a resilient domestic agricultural sector and a dynamic export-focused sector. Board members agreed on the importance of collaboration and maintaining a united front on key trade-related issues facing the Canadian agriculture sector, such as the upcoming CUSMA review.

On July 17th, CFA hosted the Annual FPT Agriculture Ministers Roundtable, where Canada’s Agriculture Ministers met with farm leaders to discuss the pressing challenges confronting Canadian agriculture, and how data would serve as the foundation for future growth in the sector. Heading into the Roundtable, and to reinforce its commitment to data transparency, the CFA Board agreed to formally join Ag Data Transparent, as an industry member.

During this meeting, CFA highlighted how data and innovation are the key to unlocking further productivity in Canadian agriculture, through better economic outcomes, more responsive risk management, improved sustainability benchmarking and reporting as well as greater protection of animals and crops from diseases.

CFA made the following recommendations to Ministers to unlock the potential of data in agriculture:

• Develop a Pan-Canadian Data Strategy that supports public and private investment in research, programming, digital skills and outcome-based measurement and reporting.
• Expand investment in rural connectivity to ensure sufficient in-field network access to support the range of agtech opportunities emerging for farmers.
• Establish programming to support the adoption of connectivity solutions and make a legislative commitment to support farm equipment interoperability.
• Support capacity building for farm groups that are best positioned to protect farmers’ data, as well as investments in standards and new agricultural extension services to support ag tech adoption.

Following the Roundtable, the Ministers met on July 17th for the Annual FPT Minister’s Meeting. The Ministers will issue a statement following that meeting in the coming days.

“The FPT Roundtable is a unique opportunity for the agriculture sector to meet with the Ministers and come together to iron out our collective vision for the sector,” said Keith Currie, CFA President.

“Data is critical as farmers continue to explore opportunities to increase efficiencies and measure their sustainability. Creating the conditions to optimize access to and use of on-farm data is needed to harness the sector’s astounding potential as a driver of environmental solutions, economic development opportunities, and a significant contributor to food security in Canada and abroad. At CFA we truly believe that Canadian agriculture is uniquely positioned to feed Canadians and the world while delivering climate solutions. Investing in data and data-driven solutions is the critical lynch-pin to achieving that goal.”

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