The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is launching a challenge to enhance automation in the production and harvesting operations of CEA facilities.

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is an indoor technology-based production system where crops are grown under a modified and highly conditioned environment. The greenhouse sector and its derivatives such as vertical farming and hydroculture are the most common forms of CEA used in horticultural production. The Canadian greenhouse industry is by far the largest and fastest growing segment of indoor farming. CEA production is labour intensive, requiring workers for a range of critical production tasks including propagation, planting, movement and management of plants, cleaning, harvesting, pest management, pruning, sorting and packaging.  

Outcomes

The solution must:

• Be a new or adapted technology with the ability to enhance efficiency in CEA facilities. This could include, but is not limited to, reducing the average amount of time spent per worker on a specific task or reducing the number of workers required to perform a task;
• Increase accessibility, meaning that CEA facilities, from small to larger operations, can purchase and implement the technology in a method that is cost effective;
• Ensure the new technology adheres to all regulations (federal or provincial) connected to worker health and safety standards including any new COVID-related protocols in CEA facilities.

Funding Information

• Phase 1:
  • The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 Grant resulting from this Challenge is: $150,000.00 CAD
  • The maximum duration for any Phase 1 project funded by a grant resulting from this Challenge is up to 6 months
  • Estimated number of Phase 1 grants: 2
• Phase 2:
  • The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 Grant resulting from this Challenge is : $1,000,000.00 CAD
  • The maximum duration for any Phase 2 project funded by a grant resulting from this Challenge is up to 24 months
  • Estimated number of Phase 2 grants: 1

Eligibility Criteria

Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:

• for profit
• incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
• 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• research and development activities that take place in Canada
• 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada
• 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work
• 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence

For more information, visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.