Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

With over half of Canada’s best farmland in Ontario, it’s no surprise that Ontario farmers own thousands of hectares of land. That land is used to grow the fruits, vegetables, grains and meats we eat every day.

In the past, farmers often grew a variety of different vegetables or raised many types of livestock all at once. This might have fed a few people, but likely did not go beyond a small community. Now, farmers usually specialize in one type of crop or livestock, so we know they are doing one thing really well. Not only that, but one Canadian farmer can now feed about 120 people for a whole year.

Modern farmers can feed far more people because technology has helped make their crops and farming techniques more efficient. This is important because our population is steadily increasing and more people demand more food.

However, there are also fewer farms every year and Ontario grocery stores import food from other provinces and countries, including items we grow here at home like apples and strawberries.

This leads to increased food prices and the transportation required to bring food across long distances has negative effects on the environment.



Visit www.growourfarms.ca for more information.

Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 stars.

Views: 106

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Depopulation could destabilize food systems

It’s difficult to argue that climate change isn’t the most pressing threat to our agri-food sector. Farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and transporters have all been forced to adapt in real time to extreme weather events, shifting growing seasons and volatile conditions. From droughts to floods to wildfires, climate change has tested the resilience of every link in the food supply chain. Yet, for all the challenges the sector has faced – and will continue to face – due to climate pressures, it has managed to cope reasonably well. Investments in technology, new crop varieties, smarter logistics and infrastructure upgrades have helped absorb many of the shocks. But there is another looming threat – quieter, slower, and far more difficult to reverse – that few in the industry appear prepared for: depopulation. At its core, the food industry is built on one assumption: that there will always be more mouths to feed. Growth in population has long been a proxy for market growth.

Labour shortages create dragnet for agri-food

Canadian agriculture and agri-food consistently punch above their weight. Agriculture and agri-food contribute $111 billion per year – more than $30 million per day – to the Canadian economy, or over six per cent of our GDP. However, there are still more than 16,000 job vacancies on Canadian farms, and this labour crisis is resulting in avoidable financial strain. With that considered, you would think that smoothing out the regulatory red tape – especially on access to labour for farmers – should be highest priority for federal and provincial governments when the shortage is both critical and chronic, proven with many years of data and evidence. When COVID-19 challenged supply chains, action was taken to secure our food supply, but this level of urgency and priority for the sector appears to have come to an end. Producers and workers need new solutions Agriculture is theoretically prioritized in the immigration regulations, but it continues to be squeezed by on all sides. Agriculture

Syngenta brings new fungicide to Canadian potato growers

The Orondis Advanced premix combines a Group 29 and Group 49

Mastering Controlled Burns -- Essential Safety Tips for Farmers

Controlled burns can improve soil health and manage vegetation, but they require careful planning and strict safety measures.

Carney heading to China to talk ag and other issues

Prime Minister Carney is expected to discuss ag when he visits China next week

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service