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Sowing innovation: $15.5M boost for B.C. food systems through agritech and workforce training

February 24, 2025
Diana Gibson, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation; Joseph Sung, CEO, Foxy Produce; Harwinder Sandhu, B.C. MLA for Vernon-Lumby, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture; Seychelle Cushing, Executive Director, BCCAI; and Susie Chant, MLA North Vancouver-Seymour Community Office at an event in Victoria Feb. 24, 2025. Photo: Government of British Columbia

The 尤物视频-led B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) is investing in 19 new agritech projects and nine training programs aimed at strengthening the province鈥檚 food production and job growth.

The  aim to help tackle critical challenges faced by food producers in B.C., including soil health, indoor agriculture, plant and animal health, Indigenous food sovereignty, and training opportunities. 

Together, they represent a total investment of $15.5 million, including $4.8 million from BCCAI, matched by industry contributions.

By supporting B.C. food producers, we are helping ensure that everyone in our province continues to have access to fresh, local and healthy food.

鈥溣任锸悠 is proud to support British Columbia鈥檚 leadership in agritech through BCCAI,鈥 says Dugan O鈥橬eil, SFU vice-president, research and innovation. 鈥淏y fostering a thriving, sustainable agritech ecosystem, we鈥檙e supporting local agri-producers, empowering small and medium-sized businesses, and delivering benefits to consumers鈥攁ll while driving economic growth. We greatly appreciate the government鈥檚 support for innovation and the partnerships that are advancing BC's agriculture and food sector.鈥

The BCCAI empowers B.C.鈥檚 growers, producers, processors and small and medium-sized businesses to bring new products to market and supports our food producers in adopting transformative technologies. These agritech innovations are helping B.C. agriculture and agrifood sectors improve productivity, profitability and sustainability.

As a hub for innovation, the centre connects stakeholders across industry, academia, government and communities to identify the sector鈥檚 needs and creates programs that advance innovative solutions to sector鈥檚 challenges. It is helping improve food security locally and globally while creating hundreds of well-paying jobs and positioning the province as a world leader in agritech.

The new investment includes a $1.2 million project with Foxy Produce Ltd. The company, which operates a farm in Aldergrove and a produce store in North Vancouver, is piloting new technology to improve greenhouse insulation, potentially reducing energy costs by 50 per cent. The project is expected to create 62 new jobs and increase revenue by 30 per cent by creating fresh B.C.-grown food with less energy used.

鈥淎cross British Columbia, forward-thinking innovators are developing technology that is transforming agriculture in our province,鈥 said the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). 鈥淏y 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.鈥

Training and upskilling the current and future workforce are also central to BCCAI鈥檚 plans.  

The centre supports inclusive training programs for next-generation technologies as well as traditional and regenerative practices. Tea Creek in Kitwanga is educating Indigenous youth on food sovereignty systems while utilizing Indigenous technologies. In the Lower Mainland, the BC Blueberry Council is training growers on commercialization strategies for launching new berry cultivars developed through innovative agritech, such as genomics.

鈥淥ur province is home to vibrant agriculture and technology sectors, and our government is standing strong to keep them safe during times of global uncertainty,鈥 says Diana Gibson, B.C.鈥檚 Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. 鈥淭hrough 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.鈥

Other projects supported by the BCCAI include training and upskilling opportunities through organizations like the B.C. Greenhouse Growers Association and the University of the Fraser Valley, which are helping food producers adapt to climate change and strengthen the local food supply.

鈥淧artnering with farmers and SMEs, BCCAI is advancing agritech innovation to strengthen B.C.鈥檚 food value chain, benefiting our communities and environment鈥 says Rahul Singh, BCCAI director. 鈥淭he launch of 19 new projects and nine training programs underscores the strong demand for innovation and training among farmers, processors, and SMEs. With support from the government and industry partners, BCCAI is committed to meeting this need.鈥

Agritech Innovation Support 鈥 Controlled Environment Agriculture

  • 4AG Robotics Inc.
  • AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd.
  • Argus Controls System Ltd.
  • BeriTech Inc.
  • Foxy Produce Ltd.
  • Namgis Business Development Corporation
  • Terramera Inc.

Learn more

Agritech Innovation Support 鈥 Controlled Environment Agriculture

  • 4AG Robotics Inc.
  • AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd.
  • Argus Controls System Ltd.
  • BeriTech Inc.
  • Foxy Produce Ltd.
  • Namgis Business Development Corporation
  • Terramera Inc.

Learn more

Training and Upskilling

  • BC Blueberry Council
  • BC Greenhouse Growers' Association
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University
  • SFU鈥檚 Big Data Hub
  • Tea Creek
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • University of the Fraser Valley

Learn more

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