Grainswest - Fall 2023

Fall 2023 grainswest.com 15 FOR DEVELOPERS OF NEXT- generation agricultural equipment and systems, the gap between drawing board and commercialization can be a lonely wilderness. To support the efforts of such innovators in the agri-food and technology sectors, the Canadian Agri-Food Automa- tion and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) was formed in 2019 with a $49.5 million grant from Innovation, Science and Eco- nomic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund. The not-for-profit was created by eight founding partners that include Alberta Innovates, Ontario’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Lakeland College, Olds College and four technology corpora- tions. Its mission is to create technological solutions for the most challenging prob- lems that face Canada’s agri-food sector. Through partnerships with agriculture organizations, post-secondary institu- tions and businesses, CAAIN supports the agri-food and agricultural technology sectors’ efforts to increase productivity and profitability and improve environmen- tal sustainability. It focuses on high-tech projects that address nagging global agricultural issues such as labour scarcity, food insecurity and the need to increase yield and decrease carbon footprint. CAAIN projects focus on three catego- ries. In the area of agri-food automation, new technology may reduce the need for unskilled labour while it increases efficiency, profitability and environmen- tal impact. Data-based decision-making includes products that collect, analyze and disseminate agri-food data. To support the development and maintenance of smart farm operations, it also validates and demonstrates new knowledge and technology. Contributions made by CAAIN to indi- vidual projects range from $34,000 to $3.8 million. Central to the organization’s sup- port for agricultural technology, it offers to reimburse up to 40 per cent of eligible expenses for research projects centred on robotics and automation and data-driven decision-making. “CAAIN provides real value at a time when farmers find themselves increasing- ly required to do more with less, and to do so while reducing their environmental impact,” said CEO Darrell Petras. Over the past three years, CAAIN has commit- ted $30 million to 24 research and devel- opment projects valued at $90 million. These have involved the participation of 93 small and medium enterprises, 11 large businesses and 25 research and academic institutions. The investment has paid off. Several CAAIN-supported projects have reached the commercialization stage and show promise through profitability and positive impact. The projects have also stimulat- ed private sector investment in research and development, said Petras. “I’m really thrilled with the private sector response to the CAAIN program and in the invest- ment in research.” The establishment of a nationwide, interconnected system of smart farm networks is also a major ongoing focus. This initiative encourages and accelerates the adoption of emerging knowledge and technology. “Farmers are by their very nature inno- vators, but they need to assess for them- selves the potential return on investment that comes with investing in the latest technology,” said Petras. “Smart farms, Assistance forag-tech innovation CAAIN supports cutting edge research and development CAAIN-supported projects include an autonomous operating system for use with Raven Industries’ OMNiPOWER platform. BY TRUDY KELLY FORSYTHE • LEAD PHOTO COURTESY OF RAVEN INDUSTRIES