BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
BC, Canada
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program offers cost-shared funding to help farmers in British Columbia adopt new technologies that enhance profitability, productivity, and efficiency.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 22, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Innovate BC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program provides cost-shared funding to help farmers in British Columbia adopt new technologies that enhance profitability, productivity, and efficiency. Eligible activities include implementing automation, robotics, innovative on-farm growing, packing or storage technologies, and farm business management tools. The program targets technologies that are new to the applicant and have reached TRL level 9, ensuring they are viable and commercially available.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are projects and activities eligible for this grant. Eligible activities focus on the adoption of commercialized technologies on B.C. farms that enhance profitability, productivity, and efficiency.
- Robotic equipment, such as harvesters, weeders, fruit/vegetable picking platforms, or manure/barn cleaning robots.
- Automated equipment, such as feeders, data collection, autosteer, or animal health monitoring.
- Digital sensors or smart cameras, such as GPS, PH, nutrient, temperature, water, moisture, asset monitoring, accelerometers, or environmental monitoring.
- Technologies to enhance/improve post-harvest packing and storage on-farm, such as automated sorters.
- U-Shaped or Y-Shaped Tunnels to support increased productivity, rain/water control, anti-burning, etc.
- Farm business/financial management software.
- Herd/crop/soil management or mapping software.
- High-precision GPS.
- Internet boosters.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$70,000
Vancouver
Installation of automated feeders to improve animal health monitoring
$60,000
Kelowna
Introducing farm business management software at Sunfield Vineyards
$80,000
Victoria
Implementing robotic vegetable pickers to enhance productivity
$75,000
Prince George
Installation of environmental monitoring sensors
$90,000
Abbotsford
Implementing automated sorters for post-harvest packing
$50,000
Kelowna
Adopting high-precision GPS for soil management
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet certain criteria related to their location, registration, operational history, and revenue generation. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Be based in B.C.
- Be appropriately registered, licensed and/or certified to conduct business in British Columbia
- Have a minimum of two years in operation
- Make no less than $30,000 in annual revenue during the previous two years from the production of primary B.C. agriculture commodities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. Eligible applicants must be based in B.C., appropriately registered, and meet specific revenue and operational requirements.
- Agriculture producers (farmers or ranchers) of primary agriculture commodities
- Indigenous businesses, communities, and organizations that are majority-owned by Indigenous individuals or communities (at least 51%) and produce primary agricultural commodities or engage in traditional food production practices
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The grant has specified types of companies that are not eligible for the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program. The following list outlines the ineligible companies:
- Operations that grow, process or handle health or nutrition supplements
- Operations that grow, process or handle cannabis
- Operations producing or processing pet food or food not intended for human consumption
- Food processors, wholesalers, distributors, farm input suppliers, restaurants and other food service establishments
- Unlicensed, unregistered, or uninspected facilities
- Food packing operations located off-farm
- Aquaculture and seafood production/processing businesses
- Any other business that does not fall within the scope of eligible applicants
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This program focuses on funding the adoption of new commercialized technologies on B.C. farms to improve profitability, productivity, and efficiency. Eligible expenses fall into two main categories: Automation, Robotics, and Innovative On-Farm Growing, Packing or Storage Technologies (Category A), and Farm Business Management Tools (Category B).
- Robotic equipment (e.g., harvesters, weeders, fruit/vegetable picking platforms, manure/barn cleaning robots)
- Automated equipment (e.g., feeders, data collection, autosteer, animal health monitoring)
- Digital sensors or smart cameras (e.g., GPS, pH, nutrient, temperature, water, moisture, asset monitoring)
- Technologies to enhance/improve post-harvest packing and storage on-farm (e.g., automated sorters)
- U-Shaped or Y-Shaped Tunnels to support increased productivity, rain/water control, anti-burning
- Farm business/financial management software
- Herd/crop/soil management or mapping software
- High-precision GPS
- Internet boosters
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible applicants must be based in British Columbia (B.C.) and conduct business within the province. They must be appropriately registered, licensed, and/or certified to operate in B.C.
- Based in B.C.
- Registered, licensed, and/or certified to conduct business in B.C.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications will be reviewed based on their alignment with the program objectives and the impact on productivity, efficiency, and/or profitability, with a preference for technologies that are entirely new to B.C. or a specific commodity sector.
- Impact on productivity, efficiency, and/or profitability
- Type of technology/innovation being purchased
- Emphasis on technologies new to B.C. or a specific commodity sector
- Project budget
- Timeline for project completion
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that your organization is based in B.C., appropriately registered, licensed, and/or certified to conduct business in British Columbia.
- Ensure your organization has at least two years of operation and at least $30,000 in annual revenue from primary B.C. agriculture commodities in the past two years.
- Step 2: Prepare Documentation
- Gather annual organization revenues from the previous two years.
- Obtain quotes to substantiate the funding request amount.
- Confirm a proposed delivery date for the items to be purchased.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit a funding application through the application portal during the call period (November 27, 2023 to December 22, 2023).
- Ensure the application is complete and meets the basic eligibility criteria.
- Step 4: Application Review
- Innovate BC will review the application for eligibility and completeness.
- Category A applications will be evaluated based on criteria set out by the Ministry to allocate funding.
- Category B applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Step 5: Notification
- If approved, expect an email notification with details and terms/conditions within 3-4 weeks post-call close for Category A, and within 2 weeks of submission for Category B.
- If not approved, expect an email notification with the decision and an opportunity for feedback.
- Step 6: Funding Agreement
- Enter into a Funding Agreement with Innovate BC outlining the obligations of each party for the approved project.
- Step 7: Purchase and Delivery Confirmation
- Submit expense claims with invoices and proof of payment for reimbursement.
- Provide photographic confirmation of technology receipt on location by March 20, 2024.
- Step 8: Outcomes Reporting
- Complete a progress and outcomes survey within 12 months to report on changes in productivity, efficiency, and/or profitability.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant focuses on enhancing profitability, productivity, and efficiency through the adoption of new on-farm technologies by providing cost-shared funding. It aims to strengthen B.C.'s agriculture sector and supports farmers in incorporating new technologies.
- Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis after submission of invoices, proof of payment, and photographic confirmation of technology delivery.
- The maximum total funding awarded to any one organization is $150,000.
- Category A projects are funded up to 65% by the government, while Category B projects are funded up to 75% by the government.
- Applicants must not use other government funding sources to cover their contribution amount.
- Applications for Category A will be reviewed post intake closure, and Category B applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
grant_single_labels|contact
integratedmarkets@innovatebc.ca
604.335.2495
Apply to this program
BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program Summary
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program offers cost-shared funding to farmers in British Columbia to adopt new, commercialized technologies that enhance profitability, productivity, and efficiency on their farms. Managed by Innovate BC and funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, the initiative aims to bolster B.C.'s agriculture sector over a five-year period (2023-2028).
Comprehensive Guide to the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to bolster the agricultural landscape in British Columbia through the infusion of new technologies. Managed by Innovate BC and led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, this program is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (SCAP), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative running from 2023 to 2028. Let's dive deep into the specifics of this program to understand how it works, its eligibility criteria, categories of funding, the application process, and more.
How Does It Work?
The primary goal of the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is to strengthen B.C.'s agriculture sector by supporting farmers in adopting new technological solutions on their farms. These technologies should significantly enhance farm management practices, thereby improving profitability, productivity, and efficiency. But what exactly qualifies as 'new' technology? Essentially, a technology can be deemed new if it is new to Canada, B.C., a specific region, the agriculture industry, or the applicant. This could include a newly created technology, an existing technology modified to meet different requirements, or an existing technology applied in entirely new contexts.
Application Process
The application process is straightforward but stringent to ensure only eligible and impactful projects get funded. Here are the steps in summary:
- Applicants must submit a detailed funding application through the designated application portal during the call period.
- Applicants must provide annual organization revenues from the past two years specifically from primary B.C. agriculture commodities. Revenues from unrelated activities must be excluded.
- Applicants need to submit confirmation of quotes to substantiate the funding request amount and a proposed delivery date for the technology items to be purchased.
All applications are received and reviewed by Innovate BC. Applications for 'Category A: Automation, Robotics, and Innovative On-Farm Growing, Packing or Storage Technologies' will undergo a further assessment based on their impact on productivity, efficiency, and profitability. On the other hand, applications for 'Category B: Farm Business Management Technologies' are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure the focused enhancement of the B.C. agriculture sector, the program comes with specific eligibility criteria. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be based in British Columbia.
- Be appropriately registered, licensed, and certified to conduct business in B.C.
- Have a minimum of two years in operation.
- Generate at least $30,000 in annual revenue during the past two years from the production of primary B.C. agriculture commodities, like fruits, vegetables, grains, and livestock. (Note: The Ministry reserves the right to waive the minimum revenue requirement for underrepresented groups.)
Eligible applicants include agriculture producers (farmers or ranchers of primary agriculture commodities) and Indigenous businesses or communities producing primary agricultural commodities. On the flip side, operations involved in health supplements, cannabis, pet food, or those that do not meet the scope of eligible applicants, are considered ineligible.
Eligible Activities and Expenses
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program focuses on supporting two primary categories of technologies:
Category A: Automation, Robotics, and Innovative On-Farm Growing, Packing or Storage Technologies
The purpose of this category is to support farming operations in enhancing their capabilities in growing, harvesting, packing, or storing crops and animals. Eligible examples include:
- Robotic equipment, such as harvesters, weeders, fruit/vegetable picking platforms, and manure/barn cleaning robots.
- Automated equipment, including feeders, data collection systems, autosteer, or animal health monitoring devices.
- Digital sensors or smart cameras for GPS, PH levels, nutrients, temperature, water, moisture, asset monitoring, and environmental monitoring.
- Technologies for post-harvest packing and storage enhancements, such as automated sorters.
- U-Shaped or Y-Shaped Tunnels to support productivity improvements, rain/water control, and other benefits.
Category A projects receive up to 65% contribution from the government, with funding amounts ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. The applicant must cover at least 35% of the total cost without using other government funding sources to meet this requirement.
Category B: Farm Business Management Tools
This category aims to support farming businesses in managing their operations more effectively and profitably. Examples of eligible technologies include:
- Farm business or financial management software.
- Herd, crop, soil management, or mapping software.
- High-precision GPS devices.
- Internet boosters.
Category B projects are funded on a first-come, first-served basis and receive up to 75% government contribution, with funding amounts ranging from $300 to $5,000. The applicant must contribute at least 25% of the cost without relying on other government funding sources for this portion.
It's important to note that certain activities and expenses are deemed ineligible, such as the construction of new buildings, purchasing used equipment, and technologies that are business as usual for a given farm type (e.g., robotic milkers for dairy farms).
Application Deadlines and Review Process
The application intake opens on November 27, 2023, and closes on December 22, 2023. For Category A projects, applications are reviewed after the intake period closes, with notifications expected within 3-4 weeks. For Category B projects, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a notification period of 2-3 weeks.
Contracting, Funding, and Reporting
Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive an email detailing the decision and any associated terms and conditions. Successful applicants will enter into a Funding Agreement with Innovate BC. It's crucial to note that no funding will be released without a successfully executed Funding Agreement.
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible expenses incurred, subject to submission of invoices, proof of payment, and photographic confirmation that the technology has been received on location. All purchases must be confirmed and the technology delivered by no later than March 20, 2024, with payment issued within the following 3-4 weeks.
Outcomes Reporting
Within 12 months of executing the Funding Agreement, applicants must complete a progress and outcomes survey. This survey collects vital information regarding the performance of the adopted technology, focusing on changes in productivity, efficiency, and profitability. The gathered data will help inform the Ministry and the agriculture sector about the effectiveness of different technologies in enhancing farm operations in B.C.
Conclusion
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program represents a significant investment in the future of British Columbia's agriculture sector. By supporting the adoption of new, innovative technologies, the initiative aims to create more profitable, productive, and efficient farming operations. As a farmer or agricultural business owner in B.C., taking advantage of this program could lead to substantial long-term benefits for your operations. Be sure to prepare your application meticulously, adhering to all guidelines and eligibility criteria to maximize your chances of securing funding.
For more information or to get in touch with program representatives, you can email integratedmarkets@innovatebc.ca.
