A new smart-farming project in Delta is helping strengthen food security for British Columbians, while two new training programs will ensure more people have the necessary skills to succeed in the growing agritech sector.
"With a changing climate and uncertainty from the U.S., it's critical that two of British Columbia's greatest strengths, technology and agriculture, come together to ensure British Columbians can rely on healthy food grown here at home," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. "Through our Look West plan, we are connecting innovators with industry partners to turn made-in-B.C. ideas into real-world solutions that create jobs and drive our economy forward in a sustainable future."
With support from the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), Delta-based Windset Farms is developing a new smart-farming system that automates decision-making with sensors that monitor plant stress and efficient greenhouse crop management.
By using advanced data analytics and machine learning, the project seeks to improve Windset's production systems by optimizing climate control, nutrient uptake, early disease detection in hydroponic tomatoes.
"This partnership helps us develop advanced smart-farming systems that improve real-time greenhouse monitoring, optimize climate and nutrient management, and detect potential plant disease earlier," said Tony Kalf, chief technology officer, Windset Farms. "These innovations allow us to make meaningful impacts through job creation, new business opportunities and by ensuring the security and stability of B.C.'s food supply. By optimizing the growing environment, we can create efficiencies while minimizing resource use, allowing us to consistently grow high-quality produce year-round."
The project is moving forward in partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU), Koidra, Vivent, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. It emerged from a 2023 letter of intent between SFU and WUR to collaborate on future research programs and tackle agricultural sustainability challenges, such as food production and climate change.
Training to grow more resilient crops
Through Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), a new training program is being developed to support the need to adopt more drought-resilient crop production systems. The program will train participants in dry farming, a method that uses specific agro-ecological measures to cultivate crops with zero or very little additional water. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Regional Extension Program, KPU's Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, local growers and industry groups.
"BCCAI's support, along with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, enables us to establish collaborative dry-farming extension, applied research and demonstration projects on three farms," said Kent Mullinix, director of KPU's Institute for Sustainable Food Systems. "We're engaging dozens of farmers, professionals and students on soil health, agro-ecology, soil and weather data collection, and advancing drought-resilient farming."
Training to remove weeds, improve fruit and vegetable production
In addition, a new training opportunity developed by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is demonstrating new robotic-weeding technology. Weeds are a significant challenge for fruit and vegetable producers in B.C. and elsewhere, as they impact productivity by competing for valuable resources, such as moisture, nutrients and sunlight. This project demonstrates and trains farmers and students on robotic weeding technologies to reduce labor reliance, minimize herbicide use, and improve sustainability via efficient resource management.
"The partnership with BCCAI enables new opportunities for students on current agricultural issues and shows them the types of skills and work opportunities available in agricultural robotics, such as the robotic-weeder demonstration," said Renee Prasad, department head, associate professor, agriculture technology, UFV. "BCCAI serves an important role in supporting open dialogue by bringing technology and producers, current and future, together."
Supporting a strong future in agritech
The three new projects and training programs represent a total investment of approximately $658,000, with $280,000 from BCCAI, $204,000 from industry and an in-kind industry contribution valued at $174,000.
These projects are examples of how B.C. is supporting the agritech sector, enabling companies to commercialize their technologies and create cleaner, more resilient and more productive agriculture, food and seafood industries.
It is anticipated the new project and training opportunities will give more than 350 people advanced training in areas such as horticulture, regenerative agriculture, data management and agri-business management, and create three new jobs and increase business opportunities through commercialization.
"B.C.-developed technology is helping our farmers increase production and make our food supply more resilient to climate change," said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. "Using the latest tech to monitor plant growth and health, as well as maximize water and nutrient efficiency, is resulting in more sustainably grown, local food being produced for B.C. families and a better bottom line for farmers."
© British Columbia Government News
This work is part of the Province's Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.'s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent economy. The investment by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) in BCCAI is scaling up homegrown innovation and boosting B.C. business growth, key steps in building a strong Canadian economy.
Look West is focused on delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets, and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.
Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada said: "PacifiCan investments are driving local innovation and helping B.C. businesses grow. The B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation is advancing groundbreaking technologies and hands-on training opportunities in the agriculture sector, improving food security and building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy."
"For technology to deliver real impact, it must go hand in hand with training and upskilling the workforce. BCCAI is proud to support three new projects that focus on technological innovation and hands-on learning. These initiatives demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving sustainable agriculture and food security," said Rahul Singh, director, B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (hosted at SFU).
Source: British Columbia Government News
