Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today the governments of Canada and Manitoba are collaborating with the Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative to address the availability of skilled workers in Manitoba’s agriculture sector.

"Intelligent technologies and agri-food data can open new opportunities for our industry and grow Canada’s position as a global leader in agriculture. We must continue to find ways to use technology to sustainably feed a growing population. These investments are helping EMILI lead the charge on the future of innovation in agriculture, driving major advances in productivity and sustainability.”

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“Adopting new and innovative strategies is the key to ensuring industry meets growth targets. Partnerships between government, industry and academia will ensure curriculums provide training relevant to future workforce needs to allow Manitoba’s agriculture industry to continue to thrive.”

- Blaine Pedersen, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister

"EMILI is grateful for the support of the Governments of Canada and Manitoba through this investment in the digital agriculture industry. Digital agriculture in Manitoba is growing and will continue to be a driving force of our economy. EMILI’s leadership of the Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table and the technology tools being developed will empower our people and our businesses with the resources needed to seize this important digital agriculture opportunity.”

- Ray Bouchard, Board Chair, Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) Manitoba

• The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services.

• Provincial-led CAP investments under the $1M threshold, such as this, are processed and determined at the provincial level and retroactively reimbursed by the federal government for the federal cost-shared portion.

• EMILI was created to prepare and empower the Manitoba economy to leverage digital disruption for success with a specific focus on digital agriculture. EMILI works with industry and academia to accelerate the adoption of intelligent technologies and to provide people with the skills and training required in a digital economy.

Associated links

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• EMILI

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

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John Neufeld
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Government of Manitoba
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