Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, May 18th, 2023 – The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) today unveiled the fifth story of a nine-part series highlighting results of the AgTech projects it has funded during its first two-and-a-half years of formal operations.
CAAIN’s mandate from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is to fund technological responses to the most significant opportunities and challenges facing the nation’s agri-food producers and processors. That means supporting promising efforts with the potential to provide economic or environmental value. The featured stories demonstrate that CAAIN is doing just that, as do the 129 collaborations the organization has nurtured and the $31M it is investing in 24 projects with a combined total value exceeding $100M.
“We’re a little like proud parents when it comes to the research and innovation we support, in that we devote a lot of effort to helping our partners succeed, and we don’t have favourites,” said Dr. Cornelia Kreplin, CAAIN’s Interim CEO. “That said, the story we’re unveiling today is particularly impressive for a couple of reasons. First, there is the project’s modest price tag. Most of our recipients require far more financial assistance. Second, though relatively inexpensive to develop, this technology appears poised to generate significant revenue, while delivering important socioeconomic and environmental benefits.”
The initiative in question is called Automating Traceability, Improving Supply Chain Resilience, Creating a Digital Manifest and Providing Transport Assurance Via Generic Data Enablers. That’s quite a mouthful, but despite its long title, the project promises, as Dr. Kreplin noted, to yield big results for a small investment. CAAIN has contributed $33,991 of the $124,422 total cost. That’s tremendous bang for your buck, particularly when one considers the value this work will deliver. For example, the system can automatically regulate the heat and humidity of high-end tractor trailers transporting livestock. The brains behind the operation belong to Joel Sotomayor, the CEO of Transport Genie. He describes himself modestly as a career database developer who recognized the potential of technology to improve conditions in the live-haul trucking industry. To say that his results have been extraordinary would almost be an understatement, as Joel’s solution is being adopted around the world.
For more information, read the story online.
“Livestock is a priority of Canada’s agri-tech industry, and I am so proud to see CAAIN’s partnerships having positive impacts on the sector. New innovative technology like this will help drive Canada’s agri-tech sector to become more consistent and efficient when it comes to livestock.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“This project not only improves the well-being of animals during transportation, it also increases efficiencies. This demonstrates Canada’s commitment to overcome challenges through innovation.”
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Canadian innovators are developing and advancing technologies across the food value chain. Adapting new sensor technologies in live haul transportation can make things safer for livestock and consumers alike.”
Laura Kilcrease, Chair, CAAIN Board of Directors
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The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is a not-for-profit company launched in July 2019 with funding of $49.5‑million from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, and assistance from Alberta Innovates in the form of significant in-kind contributions. CAAIN drives collaborative agri-food technology research and innovation from coast to coast by performing three core functions. First, it supports the development of promising solutions to important challenges facing producers and primary food processors. Second, it is building an online, member-based network connecting Canada’s agricultural and technology stakeholders. Third, CAAIN is developing a digital platform to link nationwide, production-specific networks of smart farms, which will collaborate to validate and demonstrate emerging technology in diverse locations across the country.
| Project Funding Inquiries Dr. Cornelia Kreplin Interim CEO Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network cornelia.kreplin@caain.ca |
Media Inquiries Eric Morin, CMP Manager, Communications and Marketing Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network 780.405.3742 | eric.morin@caain.ca |
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