Automation is often cited as a solution to the labor shortages experienced by many industries, including agriculture. The precision that comes with automation is also widely recognized as the key to better and more sustainable production of food and agricultural products.
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This summer marks four years since the federal government announced $49.5 million in funding to create the Canadian Agri-Food Automation Intelligence Network (CAAIN) to support the collaborative development, piloting and validation of agricultural technology innovations.
why is it important: Farmers are interested in innovations that make their businesses more efficient, more profitable and more sustainable, but investments must be proven to deliver results.
“We are focused on supporting the productivity, sustainability and profitability of primary manufacturing and processing by supporting the right technology at the right time,” said Darrell Petras, CAAIN CEO. says Mr.
“We are focused on identifying key issues and finding solutions by understanding the needs of farmers and primary processing companies.”
One of CAAIN's flagship programs that could have a particularly long-term impact is the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network. Led by Olds College in Alberta, the network includes two additional locations in Alberta, two each in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and one location at Discovery Farm Woodstock in Ontario.
“A smart farm is one that has the technical capacity to evaluate innovations against industry standards. No two fields or two farms are the same, and this network allows us to demonstrate technology in specific agro-climatic regions. , to see if and how it works,” explains Petras, adding that the network's goal is to further expand to include more products such as livestock and horticulture. He added that this is true.
CAAIN has held six fundraising competitions to date, resulting in more than $32 million invested in 35 different projects. Each call is for general innovation or specific to a specific need, such as livestock innovation or automation in beef and pork processing.
Project application teams must include at least two private sector partners, and CAAIN will provide up to 40 percent of project funding in one of three priority areas. Data-driven decision making. Validation and demonstration of new knowledge and technology.
“We work with nearly 100 small and medium-sized businesses, and the funding we provided has activated approximately $70 million in private capital investment,” Petras said.
One CAAIN-backed company, Saskatoon-based Croptimistic Technology Inc., will receive $1.5 million to expand its SWAT MAPS technology for variable rate fertilizers, seeds, soil amendments, pesticide applications and precision water management. received.
“What we're trying to do is understand the soil, how it interacts with water, and what's driving field variability. The more you gain a high-level, practical understanding, the better you can manage the situation,” says Philip Harder, Director of Croptimistic Research.
Through a CAAIN-supported project, the company developed the SWAT cam. This is a camera attached to the sprayer that takes pictures of the field during spraying and is a smart system that interprets the images to generate plant count, exposed soil, residue cover, weed density and weed density. is included. more.
“Once the spraying is complete, you can see the variability of your plant facilities, understand whether variable rate zones make sense, and help you make better decisions,” Harder says.
This project used a SWAT system to optimize variable rate techniques in potato production. Automate zone development to reduce technology adoption barriers. Evaluate satellite data to understand field yield fluctuations. Conduct field trials for growers.
“CAAIN is critical to helping us work with farmers to implement different practices, test strategies, and collectively gain greater benefits on how to better implement precision farming technologies. He did his part,” Harder added.
Petras acknowledges that investments in technology and smart farms will take years to fully materialize, but he is encouraged by the results so far.
“We are being valued by companies who are funding us by supporting over 150 jobs, and commercialization is starting to happen. We are just getting started,” he says.
