AGRITECH INNOVATION

B.C. companies and farmers receive $1 million in funding to support tech trials

NELSON BENNETT

From a mini electric tractor designed to save farm workers from back-breaking labour, to sensor technology that reduces the use of water in vineyards, B.C. farmers and technology companies are trialling some interesting agri-technology, thanks to federal and provincial funding.

Ten agritech companies or farm operators in B.C. are receiving $1 million in funding from the Canada-British Columbia Agri-Innovation Program.

Geotronics Consulting Inc. has secured $192,022 to demonstrate irrigation technology based on sensors and wireless technology to track real-time use of water in vineyards. “The technology could also be applied to other farmed crops that use automatic watering systems, once validated and commercialized,” the B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food stated in a press release.

Dicklands Farms in Chiliwack has received $165,000 under the program to design a dairy barn that improves air quality and temperature control and reduces methane emissions. “The idea behind this barn is to create a way for B.C.’s dairy industry to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint by eradicating greenhouse gas emissions from enteric fermentation,” George Dick, farm manager for Dicklands Farms, said in a news release. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous funding support from the governments of Canada and B.C., and BC Dairy Association’s Dairy Industry Research and Education Committee.”

Okanagan College has received $62,950 to design an algaebased bio-reactor that can sequester carbon dioxide produced in the fermentation process of making beer, wine and spirits.

Docantheon Horticulture in Victoria has secured $15,000 to develop a three-wheeled, electric mini-tractor that farm labourers can drive laying face-down. This would allow them to plant, weed and harvest vegetable crops without having to constantly bend down. “It should save a lot of bent-over labour … during garlic planting this fall,” says Ross Borden, who designed the mini tractor.

To date, the Canada-British Columbia Agri-Innovation Program has disbursed more than $11.3 million in funding. The partnership is a five-year, $3 billion fund that supports innovation in agriculture and agri-food industries.

Vineyards in the Okanagan use a lot of water. A new agritech system is being trialled to reduce water use • JOHN ELK III/GETTY

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