The deep roots of the “Veiller au grain” project for a sustainable future
The following text is an adaptation of Beth Hunter’s speech at the launch of “Veiller au grain pour un avenir durable” on April 3, 2024, in Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Today, Quebec’s agri-food sector faces several harsh realities: the collapse of net farm income, rising input and labor costs, and the impacts of climate change on yields. Additionally, GHG emissions have increased by 13% over the past two decades, and 25% of Quebec’s arable land contains less than 4% organic matter, a critical threshold for agricultural yields. Agricultural biodiversity is also in severe decline.
Montérégie is often referred to as Quebec’s breadbasket, and with good reason: its 7,000 farms provide 35% of Quebec’s agricultural production; the region is particularly productive in cereals and oilseeds. This region is also home to the headquarters and production sites of nearly 500 food processing companies, a unique combination that inspired the choice of Montérégie for the “Veiller au grain for a Sustainable Future” project.
A complementary and innovative approach
“Veiller au grain” is rooted in the sustained efforts of Quebec’s public and union sectors to promote local agriculture, food sovereignty, and environmental protection. Initiatives such as the Sustainable Agriculture Plan, agricultural advisory clubs, and the Soil Health Caravan have paved the way. We aim to build on these and other projects, knowing that these efforts are essential but not sufficient to tackle the scale of the challenges we face.
The “Veiller au grain” project stands out by leveraging market forces to support diversified and sustainable agriculture. By collaborating with actors across the agri-food chain, from farm to table, our goal is to support and amplify existing efforts for greater impact. The involvement of the private sector in sustainable development efforts is becoming increasingly essential, not only for the well-being of producers and the environment but also for the survival of the food industry itself.
The importance of healthy soils
The agricultural sector’s resilience relies primarily on healthy soils. To reduce our environmental footprint and improve soil richness, we recommend practices such as cover crops, crop diversity, and restricted use of synthetic inputs. These methods, practiced for millennia under various names, all aim to create more sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
A project anchored in local reality and a global movement
For several months, we have conducted research and interviews to identify the practices and crops with the most potential in Montérégie. We have also multiplied meetings with local actors to learn from existing projects and integrate their successes and challenges into our approach. Our initiative also aligns with a global movement towards more sustainable agriculture, including through private sector involvement.
Pilot projects: a promising avenue
Our hope for the growth and success of “Veiller au grain” lies in its pilot projects. These initiatives aim to propel sustainable agriculture in all its dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. We will initiate two projects*, each consisting of at least two supply chain buyers, several agricultural producers, and the support of independent crop advisors.
A call to action
In conclusion, we welcome active involvement from food and agriculture stakeholders in this process. The participation of all actors in the agri-food chain is essential to creating a more sustainable future for agriculture in Montérégie. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and build a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable food system in Montérégie.
**One project will look to integrate sustainably produce malting barley into rotations, while another will focus on oilseeds (sunflower, camelina, canola, pumpkin seeds).