News in Brief:
– Government of Canada launches innovative initiative targeting labour challenges in agriculture with five pioneering projects receiving up to $1 million each to advance automation and robotics.
– The projects are to address productivity and labour shortages in meat processing and controlled environment agriculture sectors.
The Government of Canada has announced an initiative aimed at addressing the persistent labour shortages plaguing local farmers. Under Phase 2 of the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program – Challenge Stream, up to $1 million in funding each has been allocated to five pioneering projects.
These projects, selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, are strategically focused on enhancing automation and robotic technologies within the Canadian meat processing and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sectors. By honing in on these industries, the aim is to propel advancements in work productivity, combat labour shortages, and bolster operational efficiency.
Among the approved projects, Exonetik Inc., a standout winner, is pioneering the development of a low-cost collaborative robot designed to streamline tasks in meat processing. Similarly, E.O.I Technologies Inc. is leveraging sensor technology to gather data on high-speed conveyor systems, thereby optimising operational processes.
In the controlled environment agriculture realm, Exonetik Inc. is leading the charge with a robotic arm tailored to work alongside human workers in harvesting fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Mycionics Inc. is innovating with a robotic mushroom harvester and packer, directly addressing the escalating labour shortage in the mushroom industry.
Government support and industry response
The initiative has garnered significant support from key government officials and industry stakeholders. The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, expressed optimism about the transformative impact of these solutions on the agricultural landscape. Similarly, industry leaders like Pascal Larose from Exonetik underscored the importance of such innovations in overcoming labour shortages.
With the backing of the Canadian government and support from the ISC program, these projects are poised to redefine the future of agriculture in Canada. As Jonathan Lussier from Kinova aptly puts it, this initiative marks a pivotal step forward in advancing robotics and automation in agriculture, promising a brighter and more sustainable future for local farmers.
