Summary

• B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program intake is open from Feb. 24 until April 6, 2026
• $2.5 million is available from the governments of Canada and B.C. through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support agritech on B.C. farms to increase production, efficiency and competitiveness
• Projects will help address labour shortages by supporting technology for planting, harvesting and packaging

__________

B.C. farmers are getting support to enhance their businesses and boost local food security with new technology, which will help increase production, efficiency and competitiveness.

The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program funds projects that address labour shortages and improves processes for labour-intensive tasks to help farming operations grow, raise, harvest, pack or store food more effectively.

“This program is helping farmers in British Columbia adopt new technologies that directly address the unique challenges they are facing,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “By providing access to innovative and practical solutions, our governments are ensuring that farmers have the tools they need to stay efficient and competitive.”

Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food, said: “Farmers and producers throughout B.C. are embracing cutting-edge technology to grow food more sustainably and provide our communities with fresher, more flavourful food. This program helps these innovators adopt agritech so they can work more efficiently, stay competitive and strengthen local food systems and economies.”

Applications for this round of funding are open from Feb. 24 until April 6, 2026.

New technology for farm businesses

Farmers can use the funding to buy new technology, such as equipment and robotics that can operate independently and adapt to the environment around them. This includes: 

• autonomous robotic arms for packing, stacking and wrapping
• machines for planting seeds and plant material, precisely and repeatably
• automated harvesters for gathering crops

Results of adopting labour-saving technologies

The program previously supported companies like Northland Farms in Chilliwack. The business invested in an automated radish harvester that can remove radishes from the soil, cut the tops and put them in bins, reducing manual labour and supporting the expansion of the farm business. 

“At Northland Farms, we believe the future of food is local, fresh all year round,” said Jordan Voorhorst, farm manager, Northland Farms. “By moving beyond costly and repetitive hand-harvesting, the state-of-the-art technology supported by this program is ushering in a new era of agricultural innovation for our farm and the sector.”

In Summerland, Laughing Coyote Orchards Ltd. received help to buy an autonomous vehicle equipped with a mower. The Burro manages the mowing of the orchard throughout the growing season and is set up to transport materials, reducing manual labour for staff.  

“We’re thrilled to add a Burro Grande to the orchard this season. It was made possible by the program’s funding,” said Joel Carter, owner and operator, Laughing Coyote Orchards Ltd. “We are hoping to save significant fuel and labour during the apple and cherry seasons, while getting comfortable with the latest autonomous tech.”

Collaborating to help secure a brighter future

Through the Integrated Marketplace initiative delivered by Innovate BC, a Crown agency of the Province of B.C., the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of Canada’s agriculture, agrifood and agriculture‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Quotes:

Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth –

“The B.C. On-Farm technology Adoption Program is an important way to connect farmers to cutting-edge tech that makes it easier to grow, raise and harvest local food. Through Look West, our government is growing B.C.’s agriculture sector by acting on our commitments to grow food exports by 25%. By supporting farms to adopt new technology, we’re helping producers be more productive and competitive in an environment that lowers costs and makes healthy, local food more affordable.”

Peter Cowan, president and CEO, Innovate BC –

“Farmers across the province are navigating rising costs, labour pressures, and the need to do more with less. The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program helps them address those challenges by lowering barriers to adopting new technologies that can improve productivity and efficiency in their operations. We’re proud to work in collaboration with our government partners to continue this program and help strengthen a vital B.C. industry, while enabling farmers to build more resilient and competitive businesses.”

Quick Fact:

• Since launching in 2023, the program has awarded $6.4 million to support 134 farm projects in B.C. with adopting new technologies.

Learn More:

• B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program: https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/bc-on-farm
• Funding helps B.C. farmers modernize operations with innovative technologies: https://www.innovatebc.ca/en/news/funding-helps-b.c.-farmers-modernize-operations-with-innovative-tech  
• Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/sustainable-canadian-agricultural-partnership
• Innovate BC: https://www.innovatebc.ca/
• Building B.C.’s economy stronger, together: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/strong-economy