In short: The Québec consulting services program (PSC) reimburses a portion of an agricultural advisor's fees, such as an agronomist. The assistance generally covers 50 % costs, and until 75 % for Agri-Environment. Everything goes through the Réseau Agriconseils, the regional one-stop shop. Here is how it works and how to use it.
In this article:
What is the consulting services program?
The advisory services program is a financial assistance program from the Government of Quebec that reimburses a portion of the advisory services received by an agricultural business. It aims to help farms adapt to their business environment, improve their practices, and address environmental and animal welfare issues.
The current program covers the period 2023-2028. It is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, an agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec. It includes four components and two sub-components; components 1 and 2, which most farms use, are administered by the Réseau Agriconseils.
Official details are on Québec.ca.
Who is eligible for the program?
To be eligible for the subsidies granted by the Réseau Agriconseils, one must be recognized by the MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec) under one of these titles:
- farms;
- artisanal food processing companies;
- the new generation agricultural businesses;
- business clusters.
If your farm already holds a MAPAQ identification number, it is generally eligible.
What financial support does the program offer?
The aid is calculated on the eligible fees of the advisory service:
| Type of consulting service | Basic aid rate |
|---|---|
| Advisory Services (General) | 50 % |
| Agri-environmental | 75 % |
This base rate can be enhanced depending on your region's priorities or certain Ministry initiatives. To give you an idea of the scale: in 2025-2026, the Réseau Agriconseils disbursed 26.8 M$ to 10,453 agricultural businesses pursuant to components 1 and 2.
What is the role of the agronomist and the advisor?
The advisor, often an agronomist, is at the heart of the program. They analyze your practices, propose recommendations tailored to your farm, support you in your decisions, and provide ongoing technical monitoring over time.
The program makes this support more affordable. The fact remains that an advisor's time is limited: the clearer your information, the more they can focus on advice rather than data collection. That is precisely what helps agronomists save time every day.
What advisory services are covered?
The sectors administered by the Réseau Agriconseils cover a wide range of needs: business management, agri-environment, plant and animal production, farm succession, and start-up. The specific offerings and bonuses vary from one region to another, as each Réseau Agriconseils publishes its own annual financial assistance offer.
How do I access the program?
The Réseau Agriconseils acts as a single window, with 13 regional networks in Quebec. The process involves three steps:
- Contact the Agri-Advice Network in your region.
- State your need; it directs you to a recognized advisor.
- The service is rendered, and then the network administers the assistance on the eligible fees.
You will find the right network on the Agriconseils Network website.
How to get the most out of your coaching?
The quality of guidance depends largely on your farm data: soil tests, yields, field interventions, and plot history. When this information is scattered across notebooks, Excel files, and everyone's memory, your advisor spends part of their time—even though it is subsidized—gathering it.
My forage system (MSF) centralizes your farm data and makes it accessible to your agronomist. You avoid double entry, and your advisor spends more time advising than looking for numbers. Every hour funded by the program counts more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the consulting services program free?
No. It subsidizes a portion of the fees: approximately 50 %, and up to 75 % for agri-environmental programs. The remainder is paid by the company.
Who administers the program?
The Réseau Agriconseils, a regional one-stop shop, administers components 1 and 2. Funding comes from MAPAQ, as part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
How to find a recognized advisor?
Your regional Agri-Conseils network directs you to an eligible advisor according to your needs.
Which companies are eligible?
Those recognized by the MAPAQ as an agricultural business, emerging agricultural businesses, artisanal food processing businesses, or business groups.
Until when is the program in effect?
The current framework covers the period 2023-2028.
In summary
The advisory services program remains one of the most concrete ways to call upon an agronomist without bearing the costs alone. By going through your Réseau Agriconseils and keeping your farm data well organized, you transform this support into useful decisions for your farm.