Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson announces funding to support innovation in the agriculture sector. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta announces funds to support innovation in ag tech

Apr 8, 2024 | 10:27 AM

The Government of Alberta hopes that more innovations in technology will come forward to support the province’s agriculture sector.

They have announced a grant of $1.2 million over three years for the University of Calgary’s Simpson Centre for the Alberta Digitalization Agricultural Program (Simpson Centre).

Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson says the Simpson Centre will conduct research to develop a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the digitalization of agriculture.

“We’re looking to the Simpson Centre to research and provide recommendations on how Alberta’s producers can use technologies like robotics and data analytics to help Alberta successfully navigate their adoption. These technologies will support advancements in the sector so our province can remain a leader in agriculture innovation,” says Sigurdson.

The Simpson Centre is an academic policy institute that supports Canadian agri-food and agriculture.

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University of Calgary President Dr. Ed McCauley says he looks forward to supporting agriculture in Alberta.

“Connecting UCalgary’s expertise in machine learning, robotics and smart devices to agricultural industries will be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders,” says McCauley. “We are grateful that the province has acknowledged the potential of digitalization to help make agricultural production more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable”

The provincial grant of $1.2 million will form just over half of the program’s full budget.