Note from CAPI

For complex issues like agricultural R&D, making real progress depends on trust, honest and productive dialogue, and looking beyond individual interests to see the bigger picture. That’s why combining survey evidence with in-depth workshop discussion is so helpful. It gives space for honest, sometimes tough questions about whether the current system is truly fit for the 21st century and how to foster a long-term vision that transcends individual interests.

This approach helps test whether there’s real consensus or just parallel conversations. When stakeholders feel invited to challenge assumptions, listen to each other, and reflect on both local needs and wider priorities, it creates a better starting point for long-term reforms everyone is willing to support.

This report is part of a CAPI initiative exploring the future of Canada’s agricultural R&D system, aiming to foster inclusive, evidence-informed dialogue about potential reforms. This and other reports, dialogues and communications, encourage reflection on the role the agriculture R&D system needs to play in helping Canadian agriculture and agri-food achieve its full potential.

That broader initiative is organized around four objectives:

• Build consensus on the main challenges and opportunities in Canada’s agri-food R&D system.
• Co-design a new framework by convening funders, performers, and users to define shared 21st-century priorities.
• Develop actionable recommendations to guide program and policy changes that are grounded in evidence and realities on the ground.
• Assess future needs, including tools and processes needed for continuous learning and real improvement.

Key Takeaways

1. There is broad agreement that the agricultural R&D system is facing major challenges. While stakeholders see strengths across the agricultural R&D system, there’s widespread recognition that reform is needed.
2. Stronger alignment and dialogue on the path forward can accelerate progress. Because innovation is central to Canada’s long-term resilience, competitiveness, and food security, treating it as a shared national priority, and clarifying how different actors contribute to that role, would help the system move forward with greater coherence and momentum.
3. Delaying action risks losing ground. If efforts to improve the agricultural R&D system stall, the sector faces the threat of losing investment, talent and progress, reducing competitiveness, productivity, and long-term resilience.
4. Progress requires partnerships and leadership. Neither the public nor the private sector can lead reform on its own, but governments play an important role as a funder, performer and regulator and they will play an important role leading change.
5. Big changes are needed, but small change is better than no change. Building consensus for reform is not easy, but dialogue, engagement and incremental change can build momentum towards more meaningful reform.

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