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GOC invests in enhancing automation of controlled environment agriculture

A total of six small businesses will receive up to $150,000 each to advance automation and robotic technologies aimed at curbing challenges such as productivity and labour shortages in the agricultural sector. The Government of Canada is investing more than $860,000 in these businesses through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program. The announcement of the funding follows an earlier $1 million announcement to seven projects.

Two specific initiatives under the funding are the Canadian Meat Processing Technology Development Challenge and the Enhancing Automation in CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) Farming Challenge. Projects receiving funding through the Canadian Meat Processing Technology Development Challenge will aim to make advances in automation through robotics, artificial intelligence and other forms of innovation to reduce reliance on manual labour in the Canadian meat processing sector, while projects receiving funding through the Enhancing Automation in CEA Farming Challenge will work to develop automation and robotic technologies to reduce time spent on labour intensive tasks and reduce costs for CEA facilities.

“Technological innovation is absolutely necessary to address key challenges faced by the Canadian agri-food sector,” said François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry. “By supporting the projects announced today, our government is giving these businesses the opportunity to grow and innovate while ensuring Canadians continue to have access to the highest-quality food and agriculture products.”