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
This grant is available to companies located within British Columbia, Canada. The eligible locations are specific to the province to support local agricultural technology adoption.
- Businesses based in British Columbia, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$70,000
Installation of automated feeders to improve animal health monitoring
$60,000
Introducing farm business management software at Sunfield Vineyards
$80,000
Implementing robotic vegetable pickers to enhance productivity
$75,000
Installation of environmental monitoring sensors
$90,000
Implementing automated sorters for post-harvest packing
$50,000
Adopting high-precision GPS for soil management
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet several criteria regarding their business operations and registration status.
- Applicants must be based in British Columbia (B.C.).
- Applicants must be appropriately registered, licensed, and/or certified to conduct business in B.C.
- Applicants must have a minimum of two years in operation.
- Applicants must make no less than $30,000 in annual revenue during the previous two years from the production of primary B.C. agriculture commodities such as fruit, vegetables, grains, or livestock. The Ministry reserves the right to waive the minimum farm revenue requirement for underrepresented groups.
- Eligible applicants include agriculture producers (farmers or ranchers) of primary agricultural commodities, Indigenous businesses, communities, and organizations that are majority-owned (at least 51%) by Indigenous individuals or communities and produce primary agricultural commodities or engage in traditional food production practices.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is aimed at B.C.-based agriculture producers, including farmers and ranchers, and Indigenous businesses or communities engaged in traditional food production practices. Applicants must have at least two years in operation and generate a minimum of $30,000 in annual revenue from primary B.C. agriculture commodities, although this minimum revenue requirement may be waived for underrepresented groups.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions target activities outside the core agricultural sectors intended for support by this program.
- 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 in this Program Guide.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This program provides funding to support the adoption of advanced technologies on farms to enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Eligible projects are divided into two categories, focusing on the implementation of new technologies related to farm automation and management.
- Automation, Robotics, and Innovative On-Farm Technologies: Adoption of robotic equipment, automated tools, smart sensors, and technologies that improve post-harvest packing and storage.
- Farm Business Management Tools: Use of farm management software, GPS systems, and internet enhancements to improve business operations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This Program covers expenses related to the adoption of new commercialized technologies for enhancing profitability, productivity, and efficiency on B.C. farms.
- Robotic equipment such as harvesters, weeders, and fruit/vegetable picking platforms.
- Automated equipment like feeders, data collection systems, autosteer, and animal health monitoring tools.
- Digital sensors or smart cameras including GPS, PH, nutrient, temperature, water, moisture, asset monitoring, accelerometers, or environmental monitoring devices.
- Technologies to enhance/improve post-harvest packing and storage on-farm, such as automated sorters.
- U-Shaped or Y-Shaped Tunnels for increased productivity, rain/water control, and anti-burning purposes.
- Farm business or financial management software.
- Herd, crop, or soil management or mapping software.
- High-precision GPS devices.
- Internet boosters.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on their alignment with the objectives of the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program.
- Impact on productivity, efficiency, and/or profitability of the farm.
- Type of technology/innovation being purchased, with a higher emphasis on technologies new to B.C. and/or a specific commodity sector.
- Project budget and timeline adequacy.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Prepare Eligibility Documentation
- Ensure that your business is based in B.C. and meets all registration, licensing, and certification requirements.
- Gather proof of a minimum of two years of operation and evidence of making at least $30,000 in annual revenue from primary B.C. agriculture commodities.
- Confirm that your farm is not involved in any ineligible operations such as growing cannabis or processing pet food.
- Step 2: Identify and Confirm Technology Needs
- Select the category of technology for application: either Category A (Automation, Robotics, etc.) or Category B (Farm Business Management Tools).
- Obtain quotes for the technology to substantiate the requested funding amount.
- Step 3: Compile Additional Required Information
- Prepare financial statements showing annual organization revenues from the past two years.
- Set a proposed delivery date for the technology items.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Access the online application portal through the program website during the call period from November 27, 2023, to December 22, 2023.
- Complete the application form and upload all required documents including the financial statements and quotes.
- Ensure all sections of the application are complete and accurate before submitting.
- Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Receive confirmation of application submission via email.
- Wait for the application review and decision notification, expected within 3-4 weeks after the call closes for Category A and 2-3 weeks for Category B.
- Be prepared to enter into a Funding Agreement with Innovate BC if approved.
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
Enhance Your Farm with the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program provides cost-shared funding to eligible participants in British Columbia aiming to adopt new technologies that enhance farm profitability, productivity, and efficiency. This initiative, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and executed through Innovate BC, is part of the broader Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, supporting innovation within the sectors from 2023 to 2028.
Detailed Insights into the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
The BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is a significant step forward in fortifying the agricultural industry in British Columbia by supporting the integration of innovative technologies on farms. This program aims to bolster the economic viability and operational efficiency of farms through advancements in technology, particularly focusing on innovations that are entirely new or have been adapted specifically to the needs of British Columbia’s agriculture sector.
Managed under the umbrella of the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, this initiative is a collaborative federal-provincial-territorial effort spanning from 2023 to 2028, designed to nurture competitiveness, stimulate innovation, and enhance the resilience of the agriculture and agri-food sector across Canada. The program underscores the critical importance of technological evolution in agriculture, which is a pillar for achieving enhanced productivity and sustainable agricultural practices.
The program specifically targets a wide range of technological upgrades, categorized primarily into two significant areas: "Category A: Automation, Robotics, and Innovative On-Farm Growing, Packing or Storage Technologies" and "Category B: Farm Business Management Tools." Each category addresses unique aspects of farm management and operational needs, providing tailored opportunities for enhancement.
Automation and robotics under Category A focus on increasing the operational efficiency on farms by adopting cutting-edge equipment like robotic harvesters, automatic feeders, and environmental sensors. These technologies aim to reduce human labor costs, enhance precision in farm operations, and ultimately drive higher profitability through improved yield and reduced wastage. The financial backing extends up to 65% from the government, with projects receiving support from $10,000 to $150,000, encouraging a minimum 35% contribution from applicants.
Alternatively, Category B provides financial support for tools such as farm business management software and high-precision GPS systems. With funding covering up to 75% of costs, these tools aim to improve financial management and decision-making capabilities on the farm, encouraging sustainable operations across various productive metrics. The support ranges from $300 up to $5,000, crafted to be accessible swiftly on a first-come, first-served basis to help farmers integrate essential management tools effectively and economically.
The application process is structured to be methodical yet straightforward, requiring annual revenue disclosures, funding substantiation through quotations, and confirmation of delivery schedules as fundamental criteria. Applications for Category A are adjudged after the intake period closes, while Category B applications are reviewed based on submission timing, reaffirming the program's commitment to accessibility and efficient allocation of funds.
The transparency extends into project outcomes, with a mandatory progress and outcomes survey scheduled within twelve months of project completion, ensuring that both Innovate BC and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food can gauge the tangible impacts of adopted technologies on farm productivity, efficiency, and financial stature. This comprehensive reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides insightful data to shape future agricultural policies and initiatives effectively.
For eligible applicants—namely registered agriculture producers and Indigenous communities—this initiative promises a strategic advantage by enabling access to vital resources that can modernize operations. However, it is explicit in its exclusions, with specific industries such as cannabis cultivation and aquaculture firms clearly delineated as ineligible, ensuring that the focus remains tight on transformative agricultural developments.
Thus, the BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program emerges not just as a financial incentive but as a catalyst for transformative change within British Columbia’s agricultural landscape. By strategically aligning funding with innovative technological uptake, it sets the stage for a future-ready, economically robust, and globally competitive agricultural sector.
