Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative

Intake period: Closed

Due to the high demand, the application intake period for the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative has been suspended.

For more information on the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative, please contact the initiative's administration at aafc.iafsi-isaaa.aac@agr.gc.ca.

What this initiative offers

The objective of the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (IAFSI) is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. This initiative will support Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Through this initiative, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) aims to contribute to the Government of Canada's commitment to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups and focus on building Indigenous Peoples' capacity to succeed in agriculture.

The initiative supports the development of partnerships between federal and non-federal partners, including Indigenous communities, provincial and territorial governments, and the private sector.

Who is eligible

  • Indigenous communities and governments (includes band and tribal councils, governments of self-governing First Nations, local governments of Inuit communities and Métis organizations)
  • Indigenous for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, associations, cooperatives and institutions, which are majority owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples
  • Indigenous businesses, partnerships and joint ventures, which are majority owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples

For more information on eligibility, please consult Section 1.1 of the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative Guide.

Types of eligible projects

Projects under the initiative must be for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada, as well as the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

Examples of agriculture and food systems projects that may be eligible for funding through the initiative include, but are not limited to:

  • supporting an approach to producing fresh food within an indigenous community, and helping to plan and design the means in which that agricultural production can occur
  • developing a food system within an Indigenous community to access healthy food, while also providing an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to share their agricultural knowledge and experiences, and market and sell their agriculture products
  • providing skills training that will help an Indigenous community or organization establish or scale up an agriculture operation

For more information on eligible projects, please consult Section 1.3 of the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative Guide.

Deadlines

Due to the high demand, the application intake period for the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative has been suspended.

Contact information

The IAFSI is committed to responding to phone and email inquiries by the end of the next business day. If inquiries are received by mail, the delay may vary depending on postage timelines.

If you would like to know more about this initiative, discuss your project ideas, or if you are interested in receiving the application package, please contact the IAFSI:

  • Phone
    • Telephone: 1-866-367-8506
    • TTY: 613-773-2600
  • Mail

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative
    1341 Baseline Road, Tower 7, Floor 6
    Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5

  • Email

    aafc.iafsi-isaaa.aac@agr.gc.ca

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