Rahul Singh, director, B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation –

“BCCAI proudly supports B.C.’s agriculture and agrifood sectors by advancing agritech innovation and its adoption. The launch of 19 new projects and nine training programs underscores the strong demand for innovation and training among farmers, growers, and small and medium-sized businesses. With support from the government and industry partners, BCCAI is committed to meeting this need.”

Dugan O’Neil, vice-president, research and innovation, Simon Fraser University –

“Simon Fraser University is proud to support British Columbia’s leadership in agritech through BCCAI. By fostering a thriving, sustainable agritech ecosystem, we’re supporting local agri-producers, empowering small and medium-sized businesses, and delivering benefits to consumers, all while driving economic growth. We greatly appreciate the government’s support for innovation and the partnerships that are advancing B.C.’s agriculture and food sector.”

Gavin Schneider, CEO and co-founder, Maia Farms –

“Maia Farms provides a smarter, climate-conscious way to nourish people and the planet. Our team has developed a process that transforms agricultural side streams into sustainable, high-protein and versatile food ingredients through mushroom biomass fermentation. With the generous support of BCCAI, Maia Farms was able to open the foundation Fungal Intelligence Lab in Vancouver, creating 10 full time jobs and paving the way for a new fungal food economy.”

Gaby Wickstrom, chief operating officer, ‘Na̲mg̲is Business Development Corporation –

“The ‘Na̲mg̲is Hydroponic Greenhouse Initiative is a vital step toward food security and sustainability for the ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and surrounding region. With BCCAI’s support, we’re enhancing local food production and creating new economic opportunities by providing communities and businesses with fresh, locally grown food year round.”

Michael Williamson, CEO and founder, Cascadia Seaweed –

“Institutional partnerships and government funding give Canadian companies a competitive edge, but more support is needed to drive innovation at scale. We look forward to continuing our work with BCCAI and partner universities to validate that our B.C.-grown, ocean-cultivated kelp can help Canadian farmers increase yields and reduce emissions.”

Chi Ta, CEO, C&T Mushroom Farm Ltd. –

“We are excited to partner with BCCAI on our automated worm farm technology. This initiative transforms organic waste into high-quality fertilizer, promoting sustainability and creating a circular ecosystem for local agriculture. By reusing organic waste, we minimize environmental impact and enhance soil quality. We are proud to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for British Columbians.”

Raj Jampala, manager operations, AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd. –

“Food security and agricultural innovation are critical for B.C. and Canada. With BCCAI’s support, AgriForest Bio-Technologies is developing advanced vertical growing systems using tissue culture and photoautotrophic micropropagation to meet market demands for high-quality berry and winegrape planting stock. This project will enhance local food production, strengthen the economy, and position B.C. as a leader in sustainable agri-tech.”

Rodrigo Santana, CEO, BeriTech Inc. –

“During the off-season, British Columbians are dependent on lower quality imported berries that are subject to substantial price fluctuations, are mostly produced using unsustainable farming practices and rely on high-carbon transport from distant production regions. Our BCCAI-funded project will provide B.C. consumers with local, premium off-season berries and help local farmers to extend their season, better utilizing labour and infrastructure.”

Annett Rozek, chief scientific officer, Catalera BioSolutions –

“Catalera BioSolutions and Terramera are extremely grateful to be recipients of support from BCCAI in pursuit of innovative agricultural technologies that benefit B.C., Canada and beyond. Together with BCCAI, Catalera is helping to make safe and effective biocontrol solutions the first choice for the future of agriculture.”

Ravi Cheema, chief executive officer, Fresh4Sunset Farms Ltd. –

“The funding from BCCAI will help our farm incorporate advanced technologies, sustainable practices and data-driven strategies for breeding good bugs to fight pests. I am excited to share our data with other greenhouse growers, enabling new entrants to make informed decisions, optimizing treatment plans and reducing pesticide use. By fostering collaboration between universities and private companies, we will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources throughout B.C. and beyond.”

Joachim Knauf, CEO/president, ChamberTrust Management International Inc. (CTMI) –

“ChamberTrust Management International Inc. appreciates its partnership with BCCAI for the CeV project that is focused on controlled environment agriculture, artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection. This includes the additional sector knowledge and industry contacts BCCAI brought to the table. CTMI has years of background with international business associations and it was a pleasure and very fruitful to partner with BCCAI.”

Sukh Kahlon, director, Kahlon farms –

“It has been great working with BCCAI. They were a great support in helping with our project to reduce the planting to harvest timeline for early season field strawberry production.”

Ajay Potluri, president and CEO, GreenSmart Technologies –

“GreenSmart is proud to announce the successful demonstration of Liquidseal, a pioneering edible solution that extends the shelf life of cranberries produced in British Columbia. Facilitated by the BCCAI in collaboration with BCIT and Oceanspray Ltd., this partnership advances innovative agritech solutions that extend the shelf life of fresh produce, reduce food waste, provides locally grown high‑quality food and greater access to distant export market opportunities – strengthening food security for British Columbians.”

Mohamed Imam, senior researcher, Perkins and Will Canada Architects Co. –

“Through our partnership with BCCAI, we are creating new ways of integrating urban agriculture into the built environment. This will benefit British Columbians by supporting local food production systems that strengthen food security and reduce environmental impact. This collaboration reflects our firm’s commitment to leveraging innovation and evidence-based design to create resilient cities and achieve our clients’ sustainability goals.”

Rick Cox, president, Ocion Water Sciences Inc. –

“As a leader in reducing environmentally stressful chemicals for use in agriculture, we are excited and grateful for the support from BCCAI and UBC. As a leader in water treatment, Ocion embraced the opportunity to work with industry experts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to improve productivity and efficiency in the agritech sector. With these projects, we hope to position Canada as a leader, raising the bar for what can be accomplished in collaborative funded projects.”

Kevin Kung, CTO, Takachar Limited –

“This support made possible a first-of-a-kind pilot in the Okanagan area, turning hazardous, wildfire-prone residues into agricultural amendments. By operating this alongside our local community partner, we pushed the technology to its limits and learned tremendous lessons along the way.”

Sean O’Connor, CEO, 4AG Robotics –

“We are super excited to be partnering with BCCAI on this  project. As an ecosystem, we can build global leading companies here in British Columbia, while helping increase the quality and quantity of fresh cultivated food in the province. We are excited to be one of the projects selected to harness AI and robotics to improve the profitability and stability of B.C.-based mushrooms businesses.”

Gary Jones, program manager, Industry Development, BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association –

“Funding from BCCAI helped our grower members explore techniques for reducing waste and improving workplace efficiencies as they continue to provide fresh, nutritious and local greenhouse vegetables for our expanding population. Training opportunities like Lean 101 are important for our industry professionals to keep developing their skills and empowering their workforce.”

Renee Prasad, department head, agriculture department, University of the Fraser Valley – 

“Biological control is an important tool in the sustainable production of fruits and vegetables. This funding from BCCAI helps the UFV agriculture department connect with growers and answer their pressing questions in implementing sustainable production practices.”

Eric Gerbrandt, research director, BC Blueberry Council, and the Raspberry Industry Development Council, and BC Strawberry Grower’s Association –

“The B.C. berry sector’s sustainability will rely on adoption of superior berry varieties, with improved yield, quality, pest resistance and local climatic adaptation being developed by the BC Berry Breeding Program. A recent BCCAI workshop trained our stakeholders in testing, commercializing and marketing novel plant genetics, paving the way to a brighter future with better blueberry, raspberry and strawberry varieties.”

Shannon Wagner, vice-president, research, Thompson Rivers University –

“Thompson Rivers University is proud to be a contributor to increasing B.C.’s agricultural innovation with the support of BCCAI funding. Sharing innovative precision ranching methods will help improve outcomes for B.C.’s ranching communities and strengthen regional food security.”

Jerry DuBovis, president, Pacific Regional Society for Soil Science (PRSSS) –

“Through our collaboration with BCCAI, we have expanded our capacity to teach soil science skills to early-career professionals in B.C. The skills imparted through our workshops and seminars will greatly bolster B.C.’s ability to sustainably manage soil, an important resource for many sectors.”

Stefania Pizzirani, associate director, Food and Agriculture Institute, and associate professor, department of planning, geography, and environmental studies, University of the Fraser Valley –

“Across B.C., the agritechnology sector is progressing at an exciting and rapid rate. Our recent BCCAI-funded project focuses on developing four micro-credentials in collaboration with the University of the Fraser Valley, Royal Roads and BCCAI. These micro-credentials will help build up the skills needed to meet the emerging and expanding employment needs of B.C.’s dynamic agritechnology sector.”

Paul Adams, Sherman Jen research chair in applied genomics, director of Applied Genomics Centre, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) –

“The molecular biology workshop for agriculture, presented in partnership with BCCAI and KPU’s Applied Genomics Centre, offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals, government personnel, and university students to gain hands-on experience with qPCR and DNA extraction. This workshop equips participants with the knowledge and skills to apply molecular tools to real-world agricultural challenges.”

Fred Popowich, scientific director, SFU’s Big Data Hub and professor of computing science, Simon Fraser University (SFU) –

“We are proud to have partnered with the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation. In November, our collaboration provided essential training, equipping agritech professionals with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI and data science tools and techniques effectively. This partnership highlights our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.”

Jason Ho, academic director, undergraduate programs, Beedie school of business, SFU at SFU’s Big Data Hub –

“Collaboration with BCCAI and QuantoTech exemplifies the innovative spirit we strive to instill in our students – blending cutting-edge technology with a decentralized business model to ensure urban food stability. Their work highlights the vital intersection of innovation, social responsibility and global perspective, the three pillars of our program.”

Jacob Beaton, owner, Tea Creek Training –

“Tea Creek Training supports Indigenous Peoples and communities to revitalize their food sovereignty systems while utilizing Indigenous technologies. Tea Creek provides introductory skills training for Indigenous participants to enter meaningful employment and apprenticeships. BCCAI’s support is allowing us to build the necessary capacity required to support our Indigenous Foodland Employment Apprenticeship Skills Training (I-FEAST) that is being delivered to Indigenous communities across B.C.”

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.