More than 100 years ago, Sukhpaul Bal害羞草研究所檚 great-grandfather founded the family害羞草研究所檚 Okanagan farm. The idea of today害羞草研究所檚 computerized systems and tech innovations were likely far from his imagination.
But traditional farming has come a long way, thanks largely to technology 害羞草研究所� highlighted by a recent competition from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and .
Launching the last November, BC Innovation Council and the Ministry of Agriculture aimed to promote technological innovations in the province害羞草研究所檚 agriculture industry.
害羞草研究所淭he agricultural industry in British Columbia is worth $13 billion and it害羞草研究所檚 growing every year. We害羞草研究所檙e hoping through events like this we can further support the sector害羞草研究所檚 ability to expand its diversity and growth,害羞草研究所� says Nadine Diner, BC Innovation Council Director of Industry Initiatives.
Challenge competitors looked at everything from recycling solid waste into a value-added product to improving greenhouse efficiency, and six winners, ranging from young start-ups to those working on prototypes and implementation, collectively received more than $200,000.
害羞草研究所淏C Innovation Council is about matching industry needs with BC innovative solutions,害羞草研究所� Diner said. 害羞草研究所淣ow each innovator is pursuing some sort of project with their funding.害羞草研究所�
Seed Funding Challenge Winners
- $20,000 for Improving Berry Competitiveness 害羞草研究所� gUAVas, White Rock.
- $20,000 for Pest Management and Loss Reduction 害羞草研究所� Ecoation Innovative Solutions, North Vancouver.
- $20,000 for Greenhouse Efficiency 害羞草研究所� Gordon Shank Consulting, Burnaby.
- $20,000 for Nutrient Management 害羞草研究所� Boost Environmental Systems, Vancouver.
Provincially Significant Project Challenge Winners
- $50,000 for the Nutriva Group, Abbotsford.
- $80,000 for Stem Shock, Surrey (previously Vancouver Island).
These kinds of innovations are vital to farmers like Bal, Okanagan farmer and president of the BC Cherries Association.
害羞草研究所淵ou have to always be adapting,害羞草研究所� Bal says. 害羞草研究所�Agritech is a term heard only in the last few years and I think the tech sector has found good potential in agriculture.害羞草研究所�
Because Canadian land and labour costs are higher than some other producing regions, technology can be used to increase production and create cost-efficiencies.
Finding cherry varieties suitable to the climate and less susceptible to rain cracking can extend the growing season, for example. And where Bal害羞草研究所檚 family farm used to size and sort cherries by hand, innovations today let a computerized system do the work, freeing up sorters for other needed farm work.
害羞草研究所淭his has been quite a big advancement,害羞草研究所� he said.
Other investments include an electronic scale system allowing for easier and more accurate measure of the harvest. Pickers receive payment direct to their account for the exact amount picked, while Bal can accurately track how productive each orchard section is.
害羞草研究所淏.C. farms are a place where hard work, new ideas and technology come together, and the winners of the Challenge demonstrate the innovation and commitment to sustainable agriculture that B.C. has,害羞草研究所� says B.C. Agriculture Minister, Lana Popham. 害羞草研究所淎gritech offers farmers and food producers greater productivity and efficiency, and simultaneously turns the creative minds in our tech sector to thinking about how their skills and ideas can translate to help grow B.C. products.害羞草研究所�
aims to provide BC industries with innovation as the means to continue growing and competing. It works with industries like Agriculture, Health, Forestry and Mining to discover opportunities for applying innovation to solve sector specific challenges and business pains. In turn, these innovations access customers that can be an entry point to global markets. Interested in learning how BC Innovation Council can work with you to apply innovation? Contact ndiner@bcic.ca
