Supporting B.C. farmers, competitiveness with tech
News release
February 24, 2026 – Victoria, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
B.C. farmers are getting support to enhance their businesses and boost local food security with new technology, which will help increase production, efficiency and competitiveness.
The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program funds projects that address labour shortages and improves processes for labour-intensive tasks to help farming operations grow, raise, harvest, pack or store food more effectively.
Applications for this round of funding are open February 24 to April 6, 2026.
New technology for farm businesses
Farmers can use the funding to buy new technology, such as equipment and robotics that can operate independently and adapt to the environment around them. This includes:
- autonomous robotic arms for packing, stacking and wrapping
- machines for planting seeds and plant material precisely and repeatably
- automated harvesters for gathering crops
Results of adopting labour-saving technologies
The program previously supported companies like Northland Farms in Chilliwack. The business invested in an automated radish harvester that can remove radishes from the soil, cut the tops and put them in bins, reducing manual labour and supporting the expansion of the farm business.
In Summerland, Laughing Coyote Orchards Ltd. received help to buy an autonomous vehicle equipped with a mower. The vehicle manages the mowing of the orchard throughout the growing season and is set up to transport materials, reducing manual labour for staff.
Collaborating to help secure a brighter future
Through the Integrated Marketplace initiative delivered by Innovate BC, a Crown agency of the Province of B.C., the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of Canada’s agriculture, agrifood and agriculture‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Quotes
“This program is helping farmers in British Columbia adopt new technologies that directly address the unique challenges they are facing. By providing access to innovative and practical solutions, our governments are ensuring that farmers have the tools they need to stay efficient and competitive.”
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Farmers and producers throughout B.C. are embracing cutting-edge technology to grow food more sustainably and provide our communities with fresher, more flavourful food. This program helps these innovators adopt agritech so they can work more efficiently, stay competitive and strengthen local food systems and economies."
- Lana Popham, B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture and Food
"The B.C. On-Farm technology Adoption Program is an important way to connect farmers to cutting-edge tech that makes it easier to grow, raise and harvest local food. Through Look West, our government is growing B.C.'s agriculture sector by acting on our commitments to grow food exports by 25%. By supporting farms to adopt new technology, we're helping producers be more productive and competitive in an environment that lowers costs and makes healthy, local food more affordable."
- Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
"Farmers across the province are navigating rising costs, labour pressures, and the need to do more with less. The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program helps them address those challenges by lowering barriers to adopting new technologies that can improve productivity and efficiency in their operations. We're proud to work in collaboration with our government partners to continue this program and help strengthen a vital B.C. industry, while enabling farmers to build more resilient and competitive businesses."
- Peter Cowan, president and CEO, Innovate BC
"At Northland Farms, we believe the future of food is local, fresh all year round. By moving beyond costly and repetitive hand-harvesting, the state-of-the-art technology supported by this program is ushering in a new era of agricultural innovation for our farm and the sector."
- Jordan Voorhorst, farm manager, Northland Farms
"We're thrilled to add a Burro Grande to the orchard this season. It was made possible by the program's funding. We are hoping to save significant fuel and labour during the apple and cherry seasons, while getting comfortable with the latest autonomous tech."
- Joel Carter, owner and operator, Laughing Coyote Orchards Ltd.
Quick facts
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Since launching in 2023, the program has awarded $6.8 million to support 134 farm projects in B.C. with adopting new technologies.
Associated links
Contacts
For media:
Jennica Klassen
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jennica.klassen@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Dave Townsend
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