You are an agri-food business in Quebec? MAPAQ can provide up to $150,000 in funding for your automation and robotization projects.
The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), as part of its Food Processing Program (PTA), offers significant financial support to businesses in the bio-food sector.
Component 2 – Labour Productivity is specifically designed to help food processors overcome challenges related to labour shortages by encouraging investment in automation, robotization, and the integration of management systems.
Objectives of the Component
This component aims to:
- Improve labor productivity through technological solutions;
- Optimize industrial operations via automation or digitization;
- Promote the integration of software packages (ERP, MES, etc.) tailored for the agri-food sector.
Examples of Eligible Projects
- Automation of production lines: dosing, sorting, packaging, palletizing, etc.
- Integration of robotic arms or cobots for repetitive tasks
- Implementation of artificial vision systems for quality control
- Digitization of industrial processes through the implementation of specialized software
- Adaptation or acquisition of integrated management software packages (ERP, MES)
All projects must demonstrate a gain in labor productivity, based on a prior diagnosis.
Eligibility Conditions
Eligible Businesses:
- Be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register (Registraire des entreprises du Québec);
- Have a minimum of 12 months of operation;
- Have an annual revenue between $300,000 and $200 million;
- Demonstrate a minimum of $100,000 in equity;
- Carry out food processing activities or at least two other activities recognized by MAPAQ, in the wholesale market or through online sales;
- Operate a facility located in Quebec.
Eligible Projects:
- Have a minimum of $50,000 in eligible expenses;
- Have a maximum duration of 36 months;
- Pertain to a single facility;
- Meet at least one of the following objectives:
- Automation, robotization, or digitization of processes
- Implementation or adaptation of integrated management software
Eligible Expenses
- Equipment (new or used) with at least a 3-month warranty: purchase, upgrades, delivery, installation
- Specialized software: acquisition, implementation, subscriptions (max. 1 year)
- Salaries of internal experts assigned to the project (max. 30% of the financial assistance)
- Professional fees for external experts (with no business relationship)
- Design of plans and technical specifications
- Staff training costs
⚠️ Expenses must be directly related to the project and incurred after the application has been submitted.
Financial Aid Offered
- Non-repayable grant
- Base rate: 50% of eligible expenses
- Increased rate to 60% for projects considered a priority (e.g., sustainable development, using a Quebec-based supplier, etc.)
- Maximum amount: $150,000 per company or related group
- Minimum amount of aid granted: $25,000
- Required private funding: 20% of eligible expenses
❗ Only one financial aid package is permitted per company (or related group) and per component, targeting a single facility.
Excluded Activities
The following are not eligible:
- Projects related to cannabis (non-licensed), animal feed, or logistics without processing
- Purely R&D projects with no direct impact on productivity
- Acquisition of land or buildings, rolling stock, or consumables
- Construction or renovation work not directly related to the installation of equipment
Selection Process
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and are analyzed according to:
- The project's relevance to the program's objectives
- The quality of the productivity diagnosis
- The company's technical and financial capacity
- The project's impact on labor productivity
- The contribution to sustainable development
Additional Resource
Document complet du programme (PDF) (FR)
Would you like to verify your project's eligibility?
If you are considering an automation, robotization, or digital transformation project, don't hesitate to contact us. A simple discussion can save you time... and maximize your chances of securing funding.