B.C. agritech projects announced at Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD — British Columbia’s agritech industry is receiving support from the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation’s (BCCAI) announcement of 13 projects at the 2024 Pacific Agriculture Show. The initiatives, backed by a total investment of nearly $2.7 million from BCCAI and matching contributions from the industry, are expected to elevate local agriculture through innovation, job creation, and technology development.

In making the announcement Friday (Jan. 26), Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food, said agritech will play a pivotal role in ensuring a sustainable food supply into the future. “By supporting innovative new ideas through the BCCAI, our government is making it easier for local tech companies to work with the agriculture industry.

Among the funded projects, BW Global Structures Incorporated secured $288 thousand to pioneer advanced methods for cultivating high-value outdoor field crops in sealed greenhouses. The initiative addresses critical issues of food, energy, and water security in B.C. and beyond.

In a news release, Federal Minister Harjit S. Sajjan acknowledged the importance of collaboration with BCCAI to foster technological solutions and enhance the competitiveness of local food producers. “B.C.’s agriculture sector is a source of reliable, locally produced food that supports good jobs and a strong economy,” Sajjan noted.