B.C. farmers are increasingly turning to new technology to address labour shortages and enhance food security, thanks to funding from both federal and provincial governments.
The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is helping farmers integrate automation, robotics, and innovative growing, packing, and storage solutions into their operations, according to a press release from the provincial government.
“With investments through the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program, more of British Columbia’s farmers have been able to make improvements on their farms that will allow them to become more efficient and keep feeding their communities,” said Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.
The program, administered by Innovate BC, a Crown agency of the province, is designed to help farmers adopt new agritech solutions to improve efficiency and reduce labour costs.
“Integrating new agritech on farms means farmers can improve how they plant, grow, harvest, pack, and store the food they produce, which allows them to grow their businesses and provide for the communities they live in,” said B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food Pam Alexis.
‘Robot one’ at Van Eekelen
Several farms have already seen significant benefits from the program. Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd. in the Fraser Valley purchased a robotic weeder named “Robot One,” which uses machine learning to differentiate between weeds and crops, significantly reducing labour costs and herbicide use.
“The program allowed us to purchase leading-edge technology that has the potential to vastly reduce our labour costs related to weeding,” said Marinus Van Eekelen, operations manager at Van Eekelen Enterprises Ltd.
In Kelowna, Sandhar Farms acquired a fruit-picking platform that improves worker safety by eliminating the need for ladders and reducing fruit damage during harvest.
“By embracing cutting-edge technologies through this program, such as the picking platform, we’ve experienced the profound benefits it brings, revolutionizing our operation,” said owner Davinder Sandhar.
Camirlaney Farms in Delta upgraded its potato storage with computer panels and digital sensors, allowing for better control of storage temperatures and reducing crop damage from moisture and decay. Shelly Harris, manager at Camirlaney Farms, expressed appreciation for the program, noting, “This will maintain potato quality longer, which allows us to extend our season.”
Multibillion dollar initiative
The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion initiative aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of Canada’s agriculture sector. This partnership includes $1 billion in federal programs and a $2.5 billion commitment, cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially, for programs designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
“Developing a strong agritech industry is critical to building a sustainable, local food supply, as well as contributing to new jobs and economic growth for communities in B.C.,” said Brenda Bailey, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
The program has already funded 54 projects across the province, with plans to support more farmers in adopting labour-saving technologies this summer. These efforts are part of a larger suite of programs offered by Innovate BC to bolster the province’s agricultural sector through technological innovation and support for sustainable practices, it said.