BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program BC Canada

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|openingDateNovember 27, 2023
  • 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