In a significant stride towards bolstering food security and fostering the agritech sector, a new smart-farming project has been launched in Delta, British Columbia. This initiative is set to fortify the province’s food supply chain while simultaneously equipping individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the burgeoning agritech industry.
The project, spearheaded by Delta-based Windset Farms with the backing of the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), is focused on developing a sophisticated smart-farming system. This system leverages sensors to monitor plant stress and manage greenhouse crops efficiently. By harnessing advanced data analytics and machine learning, the project aims to enhance Windset’s production systems through optimized climate control, nutrient uptake, and early disease detection in hydroponic tomatoes.
“This partnership helps us develop advanced smart-farming systems that improve real-time greenhouse monitoring, optimize climate and nutrient management, and detect potential plant disease earlier,” said Tony Kalf, chief technology officer at Windset Farms. “These innovations allow us to make meaningful impacts through job creation, new business opportunities, and by ensuring the security and stability of B.C.’s food supply. By optimizing the growing environment, we can create efficiencies while minimizing resource use, allowing us to consistently grow high-quality produce year-round.”
The project is a collaborative effort involving Simon Fraser University (SFU), Koidra, Vivent, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. It stems from a 2023 letter of intent between SFU and WUR to collaborate on future research programs and address agricultural sustainability challenges, including food production and climate change.
In addition to the smart-farming project, two new training programs are being introduced to support the agritech sector. The first, developed by Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), focuses on drought-resilient crop production systems. This program will train participants in dry farming, a method that uses specific agro-ecological measures to cultivate crops with minimal additional water. The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Regional Extension Program, KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, local growers, and industry groups.
“The BCCAI’s support, along with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, enables us to establish collaborative dry-farming extension, applied research, and demonstration projects on three farms,” said Kent Mullinix, director of KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems. “We’re engaging dozens of farmers, professionals, and students on soil health, agro-ecology, soil and weather data collection, and advancing drought-resilient farming.”
The second training program, developed by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), demonstrates new robotic-weeding technology. Weeds pose a significant challenge for fruit and vegetable producers in B.C., impacting productivity by competing for valuable resources such as moisture, nutrients, and sunlight. This project aims to train farmers and students on robotic weeding technologies to reduce labor reliance, minimize herbicide use, and improve sustainability through efficient resource management.
“The partnership with BCCAI enables new opportunities for students on current agricultural issues and shows them the types of skills and work opportunities available in agricultural robotics, such as the robotic-weeder demonstration,” said Renee Prasad, department head and associate professor of agriculture technology at UFV. “BCCAI serves an important role in supporting open dialogue by bringing technology and producers, current and future, together.”
The three new projects and training programs represent a total investment of approximately $658,000, with $280,000 from BCCAI, $204,000 from industry, and an in-kind industry contribution valued at $174,000. These initiatives are part of B.C.’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which aims to deliver jobs and opportunities by strengthening the workforce and developing a more independent economy.
“With a changing climate and uncertainty from the U.S., it’s critical that two of British Columbia’s greatest strengths, technology and agriculture, come together to ensure British Columbians can rely on healthy food grown here at home,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our Look West plan, we are connecting innovators with industry partners to turn made-in-B.C. ideas into real-world solutions that create jobs and drive our economy forward in a sustainable future.”
The investment by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) in BCCAI is scaling up homegrown innovation and boosting B.C. business growth, key steps in building a strong Canadian economy. The Look West plan is focused on delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets, and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture, and construction innovation.
Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific