UCalgary to research digital tech in agriculture with $1.2M provincial grant

The University of Calgary will be researching the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture, thanks to funding from the Government of Alberta.

The province is providing a grant of $1.2 million over three years to the post-secondary school’s Simpson Centre for the Alberta Digitalization Agriculture Program.

“We’re looking to the Simpson Centre to research and provide recommendations on how Alberta’s producers can use technologies like robotics and data analytics to help Alberta successfully navigate their adoption,” Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson said Monday. “These technologies will support advancements in the sector so our province can remain a leader in agriculture innovation.”

Digital experts, farmers and ranchers, and producers will be brought together to have discussions about digital technologies and determine how they can be adopted more effectively, the minister says. The Alberta Beef Producers and United Farmers of Alberta will also be involved in the process.

The province has supported the Simpson Centre with research funding since 2021, when it gave $1.7 million for the Carbon Program, which ended on Oct. 31, 2023.

This funding makes up 58 per cent of the program’s overall budget, according to the province. The rest of the funding will be provided by the Simpson Centre.