Baseline for sustainable practices: a snapshot of Quebec’s agricultural transition
The Portrait of sustainable farming practices in Quebec Farms (2022), conducted by the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) and the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPAQ), provides an overview of sustainable farming practices at a pivotal moment: the beginning of the rollout of the 2020-2030 Sustainable Agriculture Plan (PAD) and the Ministerial Initiative for Agri-environmental Practices Reimbursement (RPA). This report, considered as a “zero-time” snapshot, will serve as a reference for evaluating the evolution of practices over time and the effectiveness of the actions deployed.
The survey that informed this report was conducted among 3,366 agricultural producers, covering 62 farming practices, including 52 deemed sustainable, and represents 22.9% of cultivated land in Quebec, or 429,612 hectares. The results, categorized into five themes aligned with PAD objectives, were analyzed provincially, regionally, and sectorally.
Doing Better to Protect Soils
Soil health is at the core of sustainable farming practices, and several promising measures are emerging. In Quebec, more than 63% of cultivated land benefits from rotations that include at least three crops, a fundamental lever for improving soil fertility and preventing erosion. However, this rate is lower in Montérégie (slightly below 50%), which highlights regional challenges.
Winter soil protection through cover crops remains underutilized, practiced by 28.5% of respondents and covering only 15.6% of the cultivated annual land. In Montérégie, 33.3% of respondents practice it, but it covers a smaller proportion of the land (12.7%). These practices represent a pathway to enhance soil resilience to climate change, which is why FoodBridge is contributing to these efforts in Montérégie through its project Veiller au grain pour un avenir durable.
Reduction of Pesticide Use and Risks
Weed monitoring is practiced by 57.1% of respondents for weeds, covering nearly 50% of cultivated areas, while pest (28.1%) and disease (28.0%) monitoring are less widespread, covering 17% and 20% of areas, respectively.
Smarter Fertilization and Better Water Management
Regarding fertilization, nitrogen splitting –practiced by 49% of respondents on 35.7% of the land – demonstrates a commitment to maximizing input efficiency while minimizing environmental losses. On water management, optimized irrigation practices (69.3%) and systems for reducing watering withdrawals for animals (79.5%) are adopted by the majority of producers. These advances show increasing awareness of the importance of preserving this essential resource.
Biodiversity and Agroecological Practices
Natural and planted hedgerows, present on 62% of farms, contribute to biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem services. With 3.68 million linear meters of hedgerows, these structural elements reflect the interest of producers conducting agroecological management of agricultural landscapes.
Towards Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture
This snapshot reveals a growing commitment from Quebec farmers to adopt sustainable practices while identifying significant areas for improvement. Soil health, reducing chemical inputs and preserving natural resources are key priorities for solidifying sustainable agriculture. These results provide a solid foundation for strengthening sustainable farming in Quebec.