The federal government is investing $50 million in a national agri-food technology network aimed at helping farmers and food processors adopt automation and other technologies while strengthening Canada’s food supply chain.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the funding Wednesday for the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network, or CAAIN.
The money will come through the federal Strategic Response Fund and is expected to support at least 40 new technology projects across Canada.
Ottawa says the investment is also expected to attract $80 million in private-sector co-investment, create or maintain 800 jobs and grow CAAIN’s network to more than 3,000 members.
Smart farms and demonstration sites to expand
CAAIN is a national network headquartered in Edmonton that connects agricultural producers, businesses, researchers and technology developers.
The new funding will allow the organization to expand its network of smart farms and commercial farm demonstration sites, where emerging technologies can be tested under real-world conditions.
Cost-shared funding will also be available to Canadian businesses developing or adopting new agri-food technologies.
Joly said the investment is intended to improve productivity while strengthening Canada’s domestic food system.
“Canadians deserve a food system that is strong, resilient and ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Joly said in a release.
“Through our investment in CAAIN, we are accelerating the commercialization and adoption of innovative agricultural technologies that improve productivity and strengthen food supply chains.”
The federal government says the funding also supports its National Food Security Strategy, which focuses on increasing domestic production, improving supply-chain resilience and reducing reliance on imports.
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Technology aimed at reducing costs
Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the minister of energy and natural resources, said the network will give farmers and food processors more opportunities to test technologies designed to improve efficiency.
“This investment will help farmers and food processors across Canada test and adopt new technologies that improve productivity and reduce costs,” Hogan said.
CAAIN CEO Darrell Petras said the organization has supported dozens of agri-food innovation projects since it began operating six years ago.
“We look forward to continuing to support agricultural innovation and the producers who benefit from the new technologies,” Petras said.
Federal figures say CAAIN’s network currently includes more than 1,100 members and has supported hundreds of jobs, generated more than 100 intellectual-property assets and attracted more than $500 million in subsequent private investment.
The release provides differing historical totals for CAAIN-funded projects, citing more than $42 million invested in 56 projects in one section and $36 million across 51 projects in its accompanying quick facts.
Focus on food security and competitiveness
Ottawa says global supply-chain disruptions and rising food costs have increased the need for technologies that can make Canadian agriculture more productive and resilient.
The Strategic Response Fund supports major business-led projects and innovation networks involving companies, universities and research organizations.
The government says the latest investment is intended to help move Canadian agricultural technologies from development and testing into commercial use while improving the competitiveness of the country’s agri-food sector.