Summary
The food system in Canada is facing a range of issues that affect the accessibility and affordability of food. Canada has struggled to adopt alternative food production methods to respond to these challenges, but ensuring Canada’s agricultural sector remains innovative and competitive will be critical for feeding a growing population.
Increasing local food production in a sustainable manner requires new approaches, including innovative atypical food production methods that address specific Canadian needs and challenges — the logistics of domestic food production in a Northern climate, availability of arable land, and transportation challenges associated with a large land mass and small population density. Erratic and intense weather, the prevalence of pests and weeds, a short growing season, and harsh winters create additional complications.
The sponsor: National Research Council Canada
The question: What areas of scientific and technological advancement (and related investment) in atypical food production will most contribute to Canada achieving national food security within the next two decades?
