Resilient Roots: Policy Recommendations for Regenerative Grain Agriculture in Canada

FULL REPORT ON ACTIONCANADA.CA

Canada’s agriculture sector faces mounting challenges—extreme weather, aging demographics, shrinking arable land, and rising costs—while global food demand surges. Regenerative farming offers a crucial solution, restoring ecosystems, combating climate change, and improving farmer livelihoods. However, progress remains uneven, and inaction risks losing this opportunity.

Our report outlines eight bold recommendations to accelerate regenerative practices and position Canada as a leader. Without action, emissions could rise 47% by 2050, jeopardizing climate targets. Yet, regenerative methods boost profitability, resilience, and sustainability. With decisive leadership, Canada can transform this crisis into a catalyst for innovation and a thriving agricultural future.

The recommendations are:

Increase awareness and uptake of regenerative practices
Incorporate regenerative teachings in farm training programs

Develop regionally and locally relevant knowledge systems
Fund regional knowledge-sharing hubs

Provide practical and relevant evidence to support the adoption of regenerative practices
Further invest in regionallyrelevant research that assesses the benefits of regenerative practices

Enable pathways for regenerative farmers to differentiate their products to generate consumer awareness and demand
Promote existing regenerative agriculture standards to farmers and consumers

Provide farmers with support to reduce the costs and risks involved in shifting practices
Scale financing programs that enable farmer adoption of regenerative technologies

Remove disincentives to adopting new farming practices from current programs
Pilot alternative insurance programs
Adapt existing business risk management (BRM) programs to incentivize regenerative practices

Build trust through consistent engagement with representative voices
Co-develop policies in partnership with farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and underrepresented communities