Challenging the Agri-Food Paradigm: Voices of the Farmer

In This Session

Agriculture plays a vital role in the Canadian economy, contributing over CAD 143.8 billion annually to the country’s gross domestic product. Forces such as a growing population, increased consumer interest in plant-based products, and increased exportation has required more industrialized agricultural techniques to meet demand. This industrialization of farming may have enabled higher production, but research has shown it comes at the expense of ecosystems and soil health. As such, farmers are facing pressure to produce more sustainably, pollute less, and engage in ecosystem regeneration, all while continuing to put affordable, nutritious food on Canadian tables.

Regenerative agriculture has thus re-emerged as a solution. Once practiced by Canada’s Indigenous farmers, its overarching principle is farming in a way that seeks to enhance ecosystems, and encompasses various practices intended to maintain healthy, fertile soil. Moving away from the status quo of highly mechanized monoculture to address the many ecological issues associated with modern farming will require a substantial shift in production mindsets and practices along the agricultural supply chain, including politicians, industry partners, municipal planners, and importantly, the farmers themselves.

In this session, we will hear directly from three Canadian farmers who have transitioned to regenerative practices and integrated sustainability into their operations at various points in their farming journeys. We will hear their stories on why they decided to make the change, how they navigated the journey, the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way, and what they see as the key enablers for all producers to follow this path. The session will also shed light on opportunities for policymakers, investors, and other actors in the value chain to support farmers through the transition to regenerative farming.

Future of Agri-food Event Series

The Future of Agri-food Event Series is convening key Canadian thought leaders to explore Canada’s role in the future of the agri-food system, and the key opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The series is jointly convened by the Ivey Centre for Building Sustainable Value (BSV Centre), Ivey Academy, and the Institute for Sustainable Finance. The primary goal is to build awareness in the key networks of the partners (executive leaders in business and finance) of key opportunities and challenges in agri-food for Canada, especially the critical issues associated with the transition towards net zero.