Canada’s agricultural sector is responsible for approximately 10% of GHG emissions and, at the same time, generates around 7% of the country’s GDP. With the industry contributing both positively to the economy and negatively towards climate change, it’s imperative that we come up with sustainable and profitable agtech solutions to future-proof this critical sector.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO) is partnering with Foresight Canada to revolutionize Ontario’s field crop farming by launching the Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge. The Challenge is seeking novel agtech solutions that improve decision-making and analysis of field crop farmers' operations, enabling optimized soil health, biodiversity, profitability, and overall sustainability management.
Successful solutions will:
- improve nutrient management and soil health simultaneously
- fit easily into existing operations
- address weather uncertainties
- be profitable for the average field crop farmer in Ontario
Winning solutions will receive third-party validation, a farmer feasibility and agronomic assessment, and the opportunity to participate in communications campaigns and in the IFAO Innovative Farming Conference 2025.
Canadian farmers provide reliable and diverse food directly to Canadians. Let's help them achieve higher yields!
Having a thriving agricultural industry that is both sustainable and profitable is crucial to ensuring Canada meets economic goals while accelerating our path to net zero. We’re so excited to be partnering again with the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario to seek out ground-breaking solutions that will improve soil health and help work towards our agriNEXT network’s ambitious goal to reduce GHG emissions in the Canadian agrifood sector by 50% by 2030.
The Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge stands as a crucial endeavour for the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario. With agriculture playing a vital role in bolstering Canada's economy and reaching our net zero targets, the imperative to foster innovative solutions is clear. By partnering with Foresight Canada, the IFAO seeks to revolutionize field crop farming, ensuring sustainable practices that not only optimize profitability but also mitigate environmental impact, thus securing the future of Ontario's agricultural sector.
Next Steps for Innovators
Innovators can learn more about the Challenge, including desired outcomes, eligibility criteria, as well as a Q&A period, at Foresight’s challenge webinar on April 18, 2024. Interested parties can register for the webinar here.
Innovators with solutions can apply here before May 17, 2024.
The Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge is presented with support from Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario, founding agriNEXT partner Farm Credit Canada.
About Foresight Canada
Foresight is Canada’s largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator. Our audacious goal is that Canada be the first G7 country to reach net zero. In collaboration with our Helix 5TM collaborators — innovators, industry, investors, government, and academia — we’re working to achieve this by rapidly accelerating innovation and driving the adoption of climate solutions.
Since inception, we have made enormous strides in strategy development, ecosystem mapping, and partnership building to position Canada as a global leader in cleantech innovation. We have programs and10+ cleantech ventures, built relationships with 400+ investors through our access to capital programs, and engaged with 2,000+ stakeholders from around the world to secure $1.72 billion in capital and support the creation of 8,070+ high-paying jobs for Canadians.
Find out more at www.foresightcac.com and follow on LinkedIn.
About the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO)
As a collective of perceptive, innovative, and resourceful farmers, IFAO has been promoting soil health in Ontario agriculture for over 30 years. They are focused on environmental and financial sustainability and supporting innovations in agriculture through connection and collaboration with farmers.
IFAO facilitates idea exchanges and collaborates to test and develop innovation to support the betterment of Ontario’s agricultural sector. Learn more at: www.ifao.com.
