Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has committed to invest $2bn by 2030 to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. This will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
The funds will come from the organization’s new investment arm, FCC Capital, a group offering capital solutions that catalyze the broader investing ecosystem and bolster growth. Launched in 2024, FCC Capital delivers an expanded offering of capital solutions to companies across the entire ag and food value chain, including investment funds and direct equity capital dispersed from pre-seed stage to growth-driven late-stage companies. In its inaugural year, it closed nine direct investment deals totaling $170m, investing in three new funds, and adding a new business accelerator to its portfolio.
“Canada’s economic future requires an agriculture and food industry leading the world in innovation and productivity. However, until now, investment dollars have been scarce and have not scaled to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the sector. Through this investment, FCC is delivering on its commitment to be a catalyst and support innovation and productivity in one of Canada’s most important and investable sectors,” said Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO.
This announcement comes when various sources are showing that annual venture capital investment into Canada’s agtech sector is lagging. In 2023, Canada’s venture capital investments in the sector were cited at approximately $270m, 10 times below the US when adjusted for population. This low level of investment puts Canada at a strategic disadvantage. At the same time, Japan and the EU have been increasing agtech investment.
The announcement was made by Darren Baccus, executive vice-president, agri-food, alliances and FCC Capital, during the Invest Canada 2025 Conference, an event run by the Canada Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
“With this $2bn allocation, FCC will continue its long history of supporting and partnering with the Canadian ag and food industry to offer greater security and sustainability in a highly competitive global market,” said Baccus.
“At FCC, we’re uniquely positioned to provide catalytic capital and work with stakeholders to source compelling investment opportunities. We are confident that our investment commitment to the industry will ‘crowd in’ capital to amplify the economic impact.”
