The University of Guelph is set to lead a new initiative to boost agri-food innovation across Canada with significant government support
Guelph: The University of Guelph is taking the lead on an exciting new project aimed at enhancing agri-food innovation in Canada. They just scored a hefty government grant of nearly $16.3 million over five years to kick off this initiative, called Sustainable Food Systems for Canada, or SF4C.
This platform is all about helping agri-food entrepreneurs grow their businesses and tackle big challenges like climate change. Rene Van Acker, the interim president at the university, pointed out that the agriculture sector is facing some serious hurdles, especially with climate issues. He believes that technology can be a game-changer for farmers.
Van Acker mentioned that agriculture has always adapted to new technologies, whether it’s mechanical, genetic, or even data-driven. The goal here is to speed up that adaptation process, which can boost productivity and make the sector more resilient.
The network will support agri-food startups that are working on tech solutions for these pressing challenges. It’s a collaborative effort, bringing together 13 post-secondary institutions and various organizations, including the Canadian Food Innovation Network and the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture.
They’ve got three main programs lined up: a training platform, mentorship services, and a bunch of activities like workshops and events. The idea is to connect universities, colleges, and other players in the agriculture and food sector, which often don’t communicate or collaborate effectively.
Van Acker emphasized that while it sounds simple, it’s crucial to make these connections happen, and funding is essential to get things rolling. Most of the research in agri-food happens at public institutions, where innovations help farmers boost productivity.
However, he noted that the sector lacks a strong entrepreneurial culture focused on starting new businesses and expanding through innovation. This network aims to change that.
With cutting-edge technology increasingly revolving around data collection and usage, the platform will be co-chaired by Evan Fraser from the Arrell Food Institute and Lenore Newman from the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley.
They’ll be bringing together experts from various fields to support programs across Canada, forming one of the largest food system innovation training networks in the world focused on agri-food.
