Spending on global agricultural research and development (R&D) increased from $31 billion in 2000 to $47 billion in 2016, highlighting the sector’s critical role in addressing food security, climate adaptation and economic competitiveness. While countries like China, Brazil and Australia have made strategic investments that drive innovation and sustainability, Canada’s agricultural R&D spending has declined significantly, falling from $0.86 billion in 2013 to $0.68 billion in 2022. This reduction has left Canada ranking lowest among the top seven OECD countries in agricultural R&D expenditures, jeopardizing its global competitiveness and resilience.
