Innovate BC revealed this week that the organization’s B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program has awarded more than $4 million to several dozen projects throughout the province through recent rounds of funding.
Innovate BC said that its farm-focused Technology Adoption Program, known as BCOFTAP, recently helped 80 projects modernize operations.
“Technology is helping farmers in British Columbia and across the country overcome challenges and increase efficiencies in their operations,” commented Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“With investments through this program, more of the province’s farmers have been able to take advantage of available technology to support their long-term competitiveness and resilience,” MacDonald remarked.
Supported by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, BCOFTAP funding is aimed at assisting producers acquire and integrate new technologies that improve efficiency, address labour shortages, and future-proof their businesses in a changing sector.
“Keeping our agricultural sector at the forefront of innovation is essential to securing our food supply, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting a vibrant economy,” posits Lana Popham, who serves as B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food. “The creativity and diversity of projects funded so far, along with this latest intake, highlight a bright and competitive future for B.C.’s agriculture sector.”
Tools being adopted by B.C. farms include automation and robotics to sensor-based monitoring and digital decision tools, according to Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey.
“Investing in technology is investing in the future of our economy,” Bailey stated. “These innovations ensure agriculture continues to drive growth and resilience throughout British Columbia.”
Pemberton Valley Farms, for example, acquired a carrot harvester that has “completely transformed our operation,” enabling the farm to sell locally grown vegetables for more months of the year.
Amanda Li of Abbotsford’s QuikFarm, meanwhile, says new machinery has already “saved more than 10,000 hours of labour.”
“The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program helps farmers thrive by connecting them with innovation,” says Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth.
Since launching in 2023, BCOFTAP has supported more than 130 projects with nearly $7M in financial support.
The program is a “key part of Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace platform,” according to Innovate BC chief executive officer Peter Cowan.
He says BCOFTAP supports “a core provincial industry with technologies to address critical challenges by equipping agri-food providers with tools that drive productivity, sustainability, and long-term growth.”
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5B investment across federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness and innovation of Canada’s agricultural sectors.
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