Product and Market Development Program — Agri-Businesses
Highlights
This program is designed specifically for small and medium-sized agricultural producers, agri-businesses, and agri-processors like yours. It offers a unique opportunity to expand your product base and reach new markets, both domestically and internationally. Special consideration is given to projects that adopt new knowledge and clean technologies, making it a forward-thinking choice for innovative businesses.
What You Get
- Funding for machinery and equipment purchases
- Support for market development activities
- Assistance with commercialization and adoption of new products and technologies
Why Apply?
- Access to specialized consulting services for market research and value chain development
- Financial support for feasibility studies, translation, and legal consultation related to new markets
- Hands-on mentoring and training to understand logistics from farm gate to market
Ease of Qualification
The program is tailored to meet the individual needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, making it easier for you to qualify. By participating, you can gain a competitive edge, enhance your market presence, and drive your business growth.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Eligible Expenses:
- Purchase of machinery and equipment
- Attending trade shows (once for a new market)
- Exploring new or emerging markets
- Investigative travel to new or emerging markets
- Incoming buyer missions for market intelligence
- Research for new and emerging markets
- Feasibility studies for product delivery
- Translation and legal consultation for marketing in new markets
- Consulting or business coaching on market research and value chain development
- Hands-on mentoring and training for logistics of product delivery
- Commercialization and adoption of new products, technologies, practices, or processes
- Marketing plan development
- Consulting services on market trends and opportunities
- Development of new products (including professional services, process development, recipe development)
- Purchase of equipment for processing, packaging, and labeling (including nutritional labeling)
- Design and first printing of packaging
- Brand development
- Focus groups for product development
- Analytical and quality testing
- Travel and transportation costs
- Design and first printing of promotional materials
Ineligible Expenses:
- Funds cannot be used for exhibiting at trade shows
- Any expenses not directly related to the eligible activities listed above
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with this grant program.
Qualifications
- Must be a Mi’kmaq First Nations or other Indigenous group, agricultural producer, small to medium-sized agri-business, small to medium-sized agri-processor, or agriculture industry organization, club, or association.
- Must be involved in value-added and agri-food processing projects, market development activities on PEI, or market development activities through intra-jurisdictional projects.
- Must provide applicant contact information.
- Must provide business or organization information, including CRA registration number.
- Must provide project start and end date.
- Must provide additional sources of project funding.
- Must specify recipient type (e.g., primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Must specify type of industry (e.g., dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains, and oilseeds).
- Must provide a signature for declaration and consent to personal information.
Must submit a project proposal (1-2 pages) including cover page, executive summary, project objectives, timeline, results, sustainable CAP outcome, climate change/carbon sequestration, budget, evaluation, and communication of support (if applicable).
Disqualifications:
- None explicitly mentioned in the provided context.
Description
This program is designed to help your business grow and compete better, both locally and internationally. You can receive funding to expand your product line or enter new markets. This includes activities like value-added processing, market research, and attending trade shows.
You can use the money for various purposes, such as buying new machinery and equipment, developing new products, and creating marketing materials. The program also supports consulting services for market analysis and business coaching. This means you can get expert advice to help you make informed decisions.
The funding can cover costs like travel for market exploration, feasibility studies, and legal consultations for entering new markets. This program is a great opportunity to boost your business's innovation and competitiveness.
Program Steps
Complete the Application Form:
- Provide your contact information.
- Include your business or organization details, such as the CRA registration number.
- Specify the project start and end dates.
- List any additional sources of project funding.
- Identify the recipient type (e.g., primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Indicate the type of industry (e.g., dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains, and oilseeds).
- Sign the declaration and consent to personal information.
- Optionally, provide demographic information.
Prepare Documentation:
- Project Proposal (1-2 pages):
- Cover page
- Executive summary
- Project objectives
- Timeline
- Results
- Sustainable CAP Outcome
- Climate change/carbon sequestration
- Budget
- Evaluation
- Communication of support (if applicable)
- Project Proposal (1-2 pages):
Gather Additional Documents:
- Financial statements
- Business plans
- Quotes for equipment or services
- Partnership information (if applicable)
Submit the Application:
- Ensure all sections of the application form are completed.
- Attach the prepared documentation.
- Submit the application to the PEI Department of Agriculture.
Contact for Assistance:
- If you have questions or need help, contact the PEI Department of Agriculture at (902) 368-4880 or email [email protected].
Await Review and Approval:
- The application will be reviewed to ensure it meets all criteria.
- You may be contacted for additional information or clarification.
Receive Funding and Begin Project:
- Upon approval, discuss the final terms.
- Once agreed upon, the funds will be disbursed.
- Start your project as outlined in your proposal.