Many farmers see the benefits of robotics in improving labour productivity.

Automation within the agri-food sector has been an ongoing and evolving trend, with pioneers and early adapters in the livestock and poultry sectors taking their first steps 15 to 20 years ago. Today, many dairy, beef, pork and poultry producers utilize some form of automated system on their operations, such as robotic milkers and feeders. The horticulture sector is utilizing automated sprayers for tree fruits and pickers for berries and tomatoes in greenhouse operations. Automated systems for weed management are also being used in horticultural production and automated seeding platforms are making in-roads into the row-crop sector.

Now comes the second intake of B.C.’s On-Farm Technology Adoption Program, which is currently accepting applications. The program is designed to provide cost-shared funding for producers who adopt new technologies to address labour-intensive tasks on their farms to enhance productivity, profitability and operating efficiency. Such new technologies could include a newly created technology that differs from existing designs currently in use, one that’s modified for different uses or an existing technology deployed for different situations.

The program will provide 65 per cent up to $100,000 in funding for eligible expenses. Applications are reviewed by Innovate B.C. and evaluated on the information submitted. Other government funding cannot be used to cover the applicant’s minimum contribution amount.

B.C. Centric
Eligible applicants must:

• be registered, licensed or certified to do business in B.C.
• have been in operation a minimum of two years, and
• have made no less than $50,000 in annual revenue in the previous two years from production in B.C.
• exceptions to revenues may be made for crop loss due to weather or other factors

This program supports farm businesses to grow, raise, harvest, pack or store crops and animals more effectively through the use of labour-saving technologies that reduce time spent on tasks, increase productivity of a worker or reduce workforce numbers.

Some examples of eligible technologies include:

• autonomous weeding equipment
• autonomous harvesters and sorters
• autonomous precision fertilization
• smart camera-guided systems
• health monitoring sensors for livestock
• artificial intelligence systems for climate monitoring
• software that helps track farm activities

This is an extensive funding initiative with many conditions, limitations and explanations tied to each category under the On-Farm Technology Adoption Program. If you are interested in exploring the program in greater depth, the professionals at Elite Agri Solutions are available to provide expert advisory services to help navigate this initiative. For more information and the opportunity to connect with Elite’s out-of-province Account Manager, Barb Caswell, call 519–953–4479, ext. 119 or email barb@eliteagrisolutions.ca.