CBA receives funding to help farmers discover on-farm biogas potential

Funding of up to $116,800 (€77,500) has been allocated to the Canadian Biogas Association (CBA) to boost sustainable agricultural development, including biogas.

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the funding on 9 March.

Bibeau met with Jennifer Green, executive director of the CBA, and Rob McKinlay of Harcolm Farms in Woodstock, Ontario, who installed a factory-built mini digester system on his 72-head dairy farm. They discussed the benefits of biogas, how biogas instalments work, and the educational resources available through the CBA’s new website.

With funding of up to $28,800 (€19,100) from the Agricultural Clean Technology Programme, the CBA launch a campaign to help farmers learn more about biogas. As part of the campaign, the CBA launched a new website with resources to help farmers evaluate the opportunities of biogas, including a self-assessment tool, answers to key questions, and profiles of on-farm biogas plants in Canada. The site also includes a checklist and links to biogas equipment suppliers and technical advisors, acting as a one-stop-shop to help farmers get started.

“There are already 61 farms and agri-food businesses across Canada successfully capturing biogas and turning it into a valuable clean energy source,” said Green.

“Studies show that there is an opportunity for much more. With the support of AAFC, we can accelerate further uptake of farm biogas projects and, in doing so, cut Canada’s carbon emissions and support our agricultural communities.”

The CBA also received $88,000 (€58,400) under the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Programme to identify clusters of agricultural resources across Canada and assess the potential for RNG development by region. The association will use this information to create a guide to inform agricultural stakeholders about new and emerging renewable natural gas (RNG) opportunities, encouraging collaborations to develop more sustainable energy systems in Canada.

“Canadian agricultural producers ensure the health of our lands and continue to innovate to reduce the environmental impact of their practices,” said Bibeau.

“Biogas systems provide them with an innovative way to manage their waste, diversify their incomes and grow their businesses, all while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.

“With the tools offered by the CBA, farmers will have access to relevant information to help them better understand the opportunities available to them in biogas and RNG.”