Key Takeaways
- The Government of Canada is awarding up to $3,250,000 to Zone Agtech through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program ACT Accelerator stream.
- Zone Agtech will distribute the funding through its NEXTERRE program, co-delivered with Cycle Momentum and Écotech Québec.
- The program will fund development and real-farm testing of clean farming technologies and bioproducts for Quebec companies.
- Zone Agtech is one of six not-for-profit organizations sharing up to $30 million in total ACT Accelerator investment announced May 8, 2026.
- The investment supports Canada's national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions 45–50% below 2005 levels by 2035.
Canada Backs Zone Agtech with $3.25M Clean Technology Grant
The Government of Canada has announced up to $3,250,000 in funding for Zone Agtech, a not-for-profit agtech organization based in L'Assomption, Quebec, under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program's Research and Innovation Stream — Accelerator (ACT Accelerator). The announcement was made by Tatiana Auguste, Member of Parliament for Terrebonne, with the full $30 million ACT Accelerator investment revealed by Danielle Martin, MP for University–Rosedale, on May 8, 2026.
NEXTERRE Program to Channel Funds Across Quebec
Zone Agtech will redistribute the federal support through its NEXTERRE program, developed in collaboration with Cycle Momentum and Écotech Québec. The initiative is designed to help Quebec-based companies develop, refine, and test new farming technologies under real agricultural conditions. Beyond direct funding, NEXTERRE will also disseminate knowledge through webinars and training sessions focused on emerging agricultural technologies.
The program's stated objectives include helping clean farming solutions and bioproducts reach commercial markets, ensuring those technologies address practical farmer needs, and reducing the overall environmental footprint of agricultural operations across the province.
Supporting Quebec Producers and Agri-Food Businesses
The ACT Accelerator is structured so that eligible not-for-profit organizations — referred to as Initial Recipients — receive federal funds and then redistribute them to other businesses and researchers, known as Ultimate Recipients. Zone Agtech joins five other non-profit organizations benefiting from the broader $30 million ACT Accelerator pool.
“Through this initiative, Zone Agtech, in collaboration with Cycle Momentum and Écotech Québec, and with the support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is creating concrete conditions to accelerate the development and demonstration of clean agricultural technologies developed in Quebec in real conditions. By supporting high-potential innovations from maturation to market, this program will contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture while strengthening the long-term performance, resilience, and competitiveness of the sector,” said Marilou Cyr, Director General at Zone Agtech.
Zone AgTech: Aligning with Canada's Climate Commitments
The ACT Program forms part of Canada's broader climate strategy, which targets a 45–50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2035. By directing funding toward clean technology development and adoption in agriculture, the program aims to make Canadian agri-businesses more competitive while lowering their environmental impact.
“By forging meaningful partnerships and investing in Zone Agtech's NEXTERRE program, we continue to empower innovators across the country to develop and scale the clean technologies that will keep our farms competitive and our environment healthy for generations to come,” said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Final funding allocations for Zone Agtech and other recipients remain subject to the negotiation of formal contribution agreements.
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