Market Opportunities and Diversification Program

The Market Opportunities and Diversification Program helps producers, processors and industry associations with local and export activities. Activities include:

  • product and packaging modification to meet specific market requirements or preferences
  • marketing activities to meet changing requirements or emerging opportunities
  • the sale of quality agricultural and seafood products, inside and outside of Nova Scotia
  • capacity building and other development that helps products and businesses compete in target markets

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be a farm, Mi'kmaq conducting farming activities in a Mi'kmaw community, agri-business, agriculture industry association or seafood business.

For farms, you need to:

  • be currently and properly registered in the correct income category under the Farm Registration Act
  • have generated an annual eligible gross commodity income of at least $30,000
  • be at least 19 years old and actively farming in the program year

For agri-businesses, you need to:

  • represent Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food products
  • have generated an annual eligible agri-business income of at least $30,000
  • conduct value-added processing of a raw Nova Scotia agriculture product, with a direct partnership and significant economic impact to Nova Scotia's agricultural industry

For agriculture industry associations, you need to demonstrate non-profit status.

For seafood businesses, you need to:

  • be expanding into an international market
  • have generated an annual eligible business income of at least $30,000

Refer to the Program Guidelines for detailed eligibility.

Deadline or important dates

Program opening: 5 May 2023
Application deadline: 31 December 2023
Claim deadline: 29 February 2024

How to apply

Applications are closed.

Contact

Department of Agriculture
Programs Division
74 Research Drive
Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2

Phone: 902-893-6377
Toll-free: 1-866-844-4276
Fax: 902-893-7579
prm@novascotia.ca

Downloads

Program Guidelines