BRITISH Columbia will soon have nearly 200 new jobs and hundreds more people trained in science and technology to enhance food security and strengthen the provincial economy.

“Our province is home to vibrant agriculture and technology sectors, and our government is standing strong to keep them safe during times of global uncertainty,” said Diana Gibson, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, on Monday. “Through the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), our government is bolstering our economy and leveraging our strengths to help local agritech and agrifood businesses bring more B.C. goods to market, advance food security and create good jobs for people by growing industry here at home.”

The 19 new projects and nine training programs represent a total investment of more than $15 million, including nearly $5 million in support from the BCCAI matched with more than $2 million cash and more than $8 million in-kind from industry. These projects will focus on helping companies scale up their technology and create more made-in-B.C. solutions with B.C. farmers and deliver more opportunities for training and upskilling, creating a stronger, more resilient agriculture industry.

“Across British Columbia, forward-thinking innovators are developing technology that is transforming agriculture in our province,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). “By partnering with the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation, the Government of Canada is supporting local food producers, strengthening our supply chains and growing a skilled workforce.”

The funding includes a $1.2-million project with Foxy Produce Ltd., which operates a produce store in North Vancouver and a farm in Aldergrove. Foxy Produce will test an advanced air-insulated greenhouse that is expected to cut energy costs in half.

“As a farmer and retailer, I witness first-hand the struggles British Columbians face with food security and affordability. It has become my passion to address this issue,” said Joseph Sung, CEO, Foxy Produce Ltd. “We are proud to collaborate with BCCAI on our active-air insulation greenhouse technology and rotary growing towers. This project will enable year-round growing by minimizing energy costs during the cold weather seasons, allowing for continuous and efficient crop production.”

The Foxy Produce project’s technology is expected to lead to the creation of approximately 60 jobs and to a 30% increase in revenue by creating fresh B.C.-grown food for less energy.

“Supporting our province’s food producers and agritech innovators is critical to building a sustainable, local food supply, as well as contributing to new jobs and economic growth in B.C.,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. “Through our partnership with the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, we are helping small and medium-sized businesses develop new technologies and tools to support farmers and enhance food security for British Columbians.”

Other projects supported by the BCCAI include training opportunities with partnering organizations, such as the BC Blueberry Council (BCBC) and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), which will help food producers be more resilient to climate change and create a stronger food supply in B.C.

In addition to BCBC and UFV training, Indigenous people will receive upskilling and training opportunities in horticulture, Indigenous agriculture, drone-based mapping and business mentorship through Tea Creek, an Indigenous employment and training service based in Kitwanga.

These projects are examples of how B.C. is supporting the agritech sector so that companies can commercialize their technologies and create cleaner, more resilient and more productive agriculture, food and seafood industries.

The BCCAI is a key action of the StrongerBC Economic Plan that will help tackle climate change while contributing to a sustainable and more resilient agriculture industry for all British Columbians.

Quick Facts:

* Announced in July 2022, the BCCAI empowers small and medium businesses, producers and processors to de-risk and adopt technology solutions that build resilient supply chains and generate global solutions for food security and climate change.

* To start the BCCAI, the Province announced as much as $6.5 million over three years, while the federal government contributed as much as $10 million through Pacific Economic Development Canada (Pacifican) over five years.

* Since opening in September 2022, BCCAI has created 76 jobs and launched 32 projects with 28 agriculture businesses and 52 delivery partners.

* BCCAI has brought 19 products, services and processes to market, and trained 1,119 personnel.

* It is anticipated that the projects launched this year will upskill more than 800 people providing advanced training in areas such as horticulture, regenerative agriculture, data management and agri-business management.

* This project is also expected to lead to 194 new jobs and increased business sales growth resulting from commercialization.

Learn More:

Learn more about BCCAI: https://www.sfu.ca/agritech-innovation

Details on agritech projects, training programs receiving support

The 19 projects and nine training programs represent a total investment of more than $15 million, including almost $5 million in support from the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) matched with more than $2 million cash and more than $8 million in kind from industry.

The goal of these projects is to help companies generate commercially viable products that meet the needs of the agricultural sector, while reducing adverse effects on the environment and climate. Training opportunities will create a stronger, more resilient agriculture industry.

* 4AG Robotics Inc. in Salmon Arm has a $1.47-million project to work with Champ’s Mushroom farm to pilot fully autonomous, AI-enabled mushroom-harvesting robots that boost yields by 15% and halves production costs.

* AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd. in Kelowna has a $678,000 project to scale up an Internet of Things (IoT) enabling and energy-efficient greenhouse-based vertical grow system for plant tissue culture production. AgriForest Bio Technologies Ltd. will partner with OM Electric, Maxx Installation, Mike Irrigation, Irrigation Direct Canada, Global Industries, CY Grower, and Nutrient Ag Solution on this project.

* Argus Controls System Ltd. in Surrey will pilot an IoT platform for data-driven controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities that optimize crop yield and resource use efficiency through a project investment of $6.2 million. Argus Controls System Ltd is partnering with Aroya and Aranet on their project.

* BeriTech Inc. in Chilliwack has a $708,000 project to cultivate off-season berries year-round in precision-controlled indoor environments. BeriTech is working with California Lightworks, Valley Select, and Ashenvale Technologies on their project.

* Cascadia Seaweed in Sidney is optimizing seaweed extract dosage to enhance greenhouse crop yields and support regenerative agriculture through a project investment of $131,000. Cascadia Seaweed will partner with KPU and Simon Fraser University on their project.

* ChamberTrust Management International Inc. (CTMI) of Vancouver has a $395,000 project to develop a high-security data system for the agritech sector with features like IP protection, auto-notarization, and private data uploads. CTMI will partner with Storm Computing on their project.

* C&T Mushroom Farm Ltd. in Langley is testing automated cow manure processing to produce organic fertilizers and diversify revenue streams for B.C. dairy farms through a project investment of $1.37 million. C&T Mushroom Farm Ltd. will partner with Foxy Produce and VNB Enterprise on their project.

* Foxy Produce Ltd.’s project in Aldergrove represents a $1.2-million investment to pilot an advanced air-insulated greenhouse that cuts energy costs in half. Foxy Produce Ltd. is working with VNB Enterprise on their project.

* Fresh4Sunset Farms Ltd.’s project in Delta represents a $339,000 investment to establish a B.C.-based facility to produce beneficial insects for greenhouse biological control, reducing reliance on imports, shipping emissions and costs, while promoting sustainability. Fresh4Sunset Farms Ltd. is partnering with Gill Labour Contracting Ltd and Cobalt Refrigerator on its project.

* Green Smart Technologies Inc. in Surrey has a $98,000 project to develop a natural, plant-based coating to extend the shelf life of fresh cranberries and other berries. Green Smart Technologies Inc. is partnering with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Liquidseal B.V. on their project.

* Khalon Farms in the Fraser Valley has a $146,000 project to optimize “fertigation” practices with drip irrigation to improve yield, quality and production speed in berry farming. Khalon Farms is partnering with E.S. Crop Consult and BerriTech on its project.

* Maia Farms in Vancouver is receiving funding for two projects. One project will use $248,000 to develop alternative proteins for food manufacturers using agricultural feedstock. This project will validate the use of Canadian crop waste and other feedstocks, such as pea flour, to produce mushroom-based proteins for commercialization. Maia Farms is partnering with the National Research Council Canada and Kova Consulting Group Inc. on this project.

* Maia Farms will also have a $83,000 project to develop standard operating procedures (SOP) for regulatory compliance, commercial processing and packaging optimization. The project will also develop an SOP for small-scale, food-safe mycelium processing and packaging. Maia Farms is partnering with BioFoodTech and Dickinson – Wright on this project.

* ‘Na̲mg̲is Business Development Corporation (NBDC) has a $845,000 project to test a self-contained, modular CEA system capable of year-round vegetable production in remote territories. NBDC is working with Growcer on their project.

* Ocion Water Sciences in Surrey is receiving funding for two projects. One project will use $109,000 to evaluate CT11 in a field trial for commercialization as a manure treatment product to help dairy farmers meet GHG reduction goals. Ocion Water Sciences is partnering with the University of British Columbia (UBC) on its project.

* Ocion Water Sciences will also optimize the use of copper to limit pathogenic bacteria and improve flock health through a project investment of $75,000. Ocion Water Sciences is partnering with S.J. Ritchie Research Farms Ltd. and Canadian Poultry Consultants Ltd. on its project.

* Perkins and Wills Architects Co. in Vancouver has a $67,000 project to develop modular designs for integrating urban farming and waste-to-resource systems in residential buildings, supported by a comprehensive knowledge report. Perkins and Wills Architects Co. will partner with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) on its project.

* Takachar Limited in Salmon Arm is developing portable, low-cost systems to convert biomass residues into products like biochar and biofuels, enabling rural B.C. communities to manage biomass and generate revenue through a project investment of $199,000. Takachar Limited is partnering with Carbon Pilot Inc. and Silvatec Consulting Ltd. on their project.

* Terramera Inc. in Vancouver has a $371,000 project to test Exosect, a natural wax-encapsulation technology, for greenhouse crops and pests that is expected to optimize biocontrol applications and improve crop health. Terramera Inc. is working with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Catalera Biosolutions on their project.

Training programs include:

* With a $26,000 project investment, the BC Blueberry Council delivered a two-day intensive workshop with participants from BC Berry Cultivar Development Inc., BC Blueberry Council, BC Raspberry Industry Development Council, and BC Strawberry Growers’ Association aimed at educating growers on several pertinent topics that will train them to successfully launch advanced selections of berries.

* The BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association delivered a Lean 101 workshop to improve greenhouse operational efficiency and sustainability through a $6,000 project investment.

* Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is delivering a four-section upskilling workshop that will bridge the gap for many industry professionals, including farmers, breeders, distributors and veterinarians who need a comprehensive knowledge of how the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology works. This project represents a $12,000 investment.

* The Pacific Regional Society for Soil Science is hosting an Agrology Data Seminar series to enhance data interpretation and communication for resource management. This project represents a $9,000 investment.

* Simon Fraser University (SFU) received $5,000 to provide two training sessions focused on helping farm operators and business owners to understand big data and how to address data challenges effectively.

* Tea Creek is receiving $112,000 to provide introductory skills training for Indigenous participants to enter employment and apprenticeship in areas including horticulture and Indigenous agriculture, as well as drone training and mapping through a mix of short- and longer-term training modules.

* Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is providing two-day hands-on training sessions at the Williams Lake campus of TRU and the Kootenay region, focused on flight practice and real-world farm and ranch uses of drones through a $110,000 project investment.

* University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is receiving funding for two projects. The first project will utilize $360,000 to develop a series of online stackable micro-credentials to attract individuals seeking to integrate credentialed learning in line with the StrongerBC future skills grant.

* UFV will also host a one-day workshop to explore the production of biocontrol agents with a focus on predatory mites and a deep dive into quality-control assessment through a project investment of $4,000.