By Editor, Global AgInvesting Media
Global institutional investor La Caisse and Australian agricultural investment manager GO.FARM have announced a strategic partnership to launch an AUD 330 million investment platform focused on Australian permanent horticulture. The initiative aims to capitalize on Australia’s high-value agricultural potential by developing sustainable, water-efficient, and climate-resilient crop operations across the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, La Caisse—formerly known as Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)—is committing AUD 300 million in equity to the platform.
GO.FARM is committing an additional AUD 30 million, bringing the initial capital pool to AUD 330 million. Demonstrating a commitment to long-term operational alignment, La Caisse is also acquiring a minority ownership stake in GO.FARM itself.
Transforming Australian Farmland
The newly established platform will focus on building a diversified portfolio of irrigated permanent crops by transforming underutilized land and water assets into high-performing, investment-grade agricultural operations. Key focus areas include implementing advanced water efficiency technologies, climate-smart systems, and critical rural infrastructure.
GO.FARM, founded in 2013 by Managing Director Liam Lenaghan, brings a vast amount of regional experience to the deal. The Melbourne-based firm manages approximately AUD 1.6 billion in assets, spanning more than 96,000 hectares of farmland and 129,000 megalitres of water entitlements across Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure and Sustainability at La Caisse, noted that Australia’s “world-class agricultural resources” and strong export channels makes it an attractive market. He highlighted that backing an experienced local operator allows La Caisse to expand its footprint in a sector essential to meeting global food demand.
“Australia combines world-class agricultural resources, strong export markets and significant land transformation opportunities. Through this partnership with GO.FARM, we are backing a proven operator with deep local expertise and a strong commitment to responsible agriculture. Together, we aim to build a diversified platform positioned to capture attractive opportunities across a sector that is becoming increasingly important to global food production,” Jalcot said in the press release.
Lenaghan added that the partnership reflects the maturing status of Australian agriculture as an institutional asset class, stating, “Our focus has always been on finding the opportunity, solving the challenges and executing the fundamentals well by building great teams and capability, backed by data-driven insights and good science. This partnership is built on alignment, not just capital. As global institutions seek exposure to agriculture, access to investment-grade assets remains constrained. This mandate reflects the growing maturity of Australian agriculture as an institutional asset class, and marks a positive moment for both GO.FARM and the sector.”
Institutional Growth and Global Mandate
This agricultural venture aligns with La Caisse’s broader strategy as a global institutional investor. Managing over CAD 517 billion in net assets, La Caisse operates under a dual mandate: generating optimal financial returns for its 48 depositors—representing more than six million Quebecers—while supporting economic development and progress, according to its website.
La Caisse maintains an active international footprint across asset classes including infrastructure, real estate, private equity, fixed income, and sustainable investing, with offices in key financial hubs such as Sydney, Singapore, London, Paris, and New York.
The partnership with GO.FARM will expand La Caisse’s growing sustainable land management portfolio in Australia, joining GO.FARM’s existing institutional investor base that includes Australian Retirement Trust alongside domestic family offices. As institutional interest accelerates worldwide around real assets linked to food production, decarbonization, and natural capital, both organizations intend to continue expanding high-quality agricultural investment platforms over the long term.
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