Minister Bibeau underlined the investment during the visit of the new eco-responsible plant, which brings together a dozen farmers from the MRC d’Arthabaska who produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from slurry and dairy cattle manure. mixed with residual organic matter from surrounding agricultural businesses.

Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick predicts that the new facility, currently in the start-up phase, will produce 2.3 million cubic meters of RNG each year. As a result, the organization estimates annual reductions of around 6,500 tonnes of CO₂ the equivalent, or the equivalent of removing 1,600 vehicles from the road.

Minister Bibeau highlighted the investment as an example of the types of projects the Government of Canada is seeking for the new $ 165.7 million Clean Agriculture Technology Program, which opened to applicants on June 16.

Speaking at the facility, she said, “Agricultural producers are key partners in the fight against climate change, and our government is committed to supporting their efforts to reduce GHG emissions. I am very proud to support this initiative through the Clean Agriculture Technology Program, which aims to make Canada a world leader in this field. This project shows that we can protect the planet while growing our agricultural businesses.

This new program offers farmers and agribusinesses access to finance to help them develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve their competitiveness. It will prioritize projects in three areas, including the bioeconomy, which uses technologies that use agricultural wastes and by-products for the production of energy and bioproducts.

The new program has two funding streams:

• the Adoption flow supports the purchase and installation of proven clean technologies and solutions that show significant reductions in GHG emissions.
• the Research and innovation component supports pre-market innovation, including research, development, demonstration and commercialization of clean agricultural technologies.

The Government of Canada’s Enhanced Climate Plan supports the development and adoption of cleaner practices and technologies that further reduce GHG emissions and protect the land, water and air on which farmers depend for their long-term sustainability. term.

Urs Studhalter, dairy farmer and president of Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick said: “Our climate is changing, so is our agriculture. As farmers, we must actively engage in climate change. Our project allows us to take concrete and exemplary actions in this direction. In addition, by also becoming energy producers, we are diversifying our income, making us even more resilient. “

Background

Agricultural anaerobic digestion, like the Warwick model, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by capturing methane from manure that would otherwise be released during storage in farm pits. Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick has partnered with Coop Carbone, a non-profit organization committed to responding to the climate emergency, which initiated the project and is in charge of its implementation and day-to-day operations.

The Coop Agri-Énergie Warwick initiative also brings economic and social benefits, such as the production of value-added organic fertilizers, which reduces the cost of purchasing mineral fertilizers for producers. The anaerobic digestion process also significantly reduces the odor load associated with the spreading of raw slurry. This investment in Coop Agri-Énergie came from the first Clean Agriculture Technology Program, an investment of $ 25 million over three years (2018-2021) to support research, development and adoption of clean technologies through investments and the promotion of precision agriculture and agro-food bioproducts.