The federal government is investing $50 million in the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) to accelerate the development and adoption of new agricultural technologies and strengthen Canada’s food supply chain.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced the funding Wednesday in Calgary through the Strategic Response Fund, saying the investment is aimed at improving agricultural productivity, food security and affordability amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions and rising food costs.
The funding will allow Edmonton-based CAAIN to expand its national network of smart farms and commercial demonstration sites while providing cost-shared support to Canadian companies developing and adopting agri-food technologies, said a federal release.
The government expects the investment to support at least 40 new technology projects, attract $80 million in private-sector co-investment and create or maintain 800 jobs.
“Through our investment in CAAIN, we are accelerating the commercialization and adoption of innovative agricultural technologies that improve productivity and strengthen food supply chains,” Joly said.
CAAIN CEO Darrell Petras said the organization has invested more than $42 million in 56 agri-food innovation projects over its six years of operation, with several participating companies successfully commercializing their technologies.
The new funding also supports the federal National Food Security Strategy, which is intended to increase domestic food production, improve supply chain efficiency and reduce Canada’s reliance on imports.
