AgriInnovate Program: Innovations in sustainable agriculture

The Government of Canada is investing over $7.2 million in 4 innovative projects aimed at improving sustainability in Canadian agriculture. Through the AgriInnovate Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, these projects will drive growth, increase efficiency, and improve environmental stewardship.

CRO Quail Farms Inc.

Founded in 2001, CRO Quail Farms Inc. is North America’s largest producer of quail eggs. With significant growth over the past few years, CRO Quail Farms has established itself as a leader in the quail sector, with its products available in major retailers across North America.

CRO is receiving up to $1,645,200 in funding for the construction of a 23,000 square foot layer barn and the implementation of automated systems for egg and feed conveyance, meat processing, and packaging. These upgrades will expand the farm's housing capacity and increase weekly production.

This project will make CRO Quail Farms the first fully automated, vertically integrated, commercial-scale quail production facility in North America. The company remains committed to sustainability, focusing on reducing waste through increased composting and improving energy and water efficiency across its operations.

KSM Inc.

KSM Inc., established in 2013, is a fertilizer company specializing in the production of Potassium Sulfate (SOP) and Potassium Magnesium Sulfate (SOPM) fertilizers. They are receiving up to $5 million to construct and equip a large-scale production facility in Tring-Jonction, Québec. This facility will have a production capacity of 45,000 tonnes per year, providing a local supply of SOP and SOPM to Canada’s agricultural sector.

KSM uses a patented production method that operates at a lower temperature compared to traditional processes with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). KSM’s fertilizers are essential for crops sensitive to chloride, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, offering a purer source of potassium compared to traditional Muriate of Potash, also referred to as Potash or Potassium Chloride.

Solution Aleop Inc.

Founded in 2018, Solution Aleop Inc. develops digital tools to help Canadian producers manage their businesses more efficiently. The company will receive up to $371,250 in funding to develop and commercialize new features of its patented tool, Aleop. This innovative version will allow producers to monitor and analyze their production costs and revenues in real time. It will also offer the ability to compare their financial results to those of similar companies, thereby strengthening their competitiveness.

Among the new features, Aleop will introduce a mobile application and technical data integration to allow producers to monitor their margin per unit of production and react quickly with personalized alerts. This project will also mark the expansion of the software from Quebec to other Canadian provinces and to all agricultural sectors. By simplifying decision-making and optimizing resource management, Aleop will contribute to a more sustainable, efficient and competitive Canadian agricultural sector.

Axceta Inc.

Founded in 2017, Axceta Inc. develops tools to improve resource management in the agricultural sector. They are receiving up to $255,353 in funding to demonstrate their new ultrasound gauge technology for inventory management in feed silos.

The project includes demonstrating IT tools to support system functionality, such as production, installation, and fine-tuning of algorithms. A dedicated demo site will also showcase the technology’s capabilities and conduct tests and experiments to optimize the tool and attract new clients. Additionally, Axceta plans to refine its commercialization strategy, expanding from Québec to other provinces and markets.

By enabling producers and feed mill operators to accurately monitor feed inventory in real time, Axceta’s technology reduces costs associated with last-minute orders, prevents feed shortages, and optimizes resource use. These improvements support more efficient, sustainable agricultural practices, minimizing environmental impacts and boosting the competitiveness of Canadian livestock producers.

AgriInnovate Program

The AgriInnovate Program is an investment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The program provides repayable contributions to incent targeted commercialization, demonstration and/or adoption of commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes that increase agricultural and agri-food sector competitiveness and sustainability benefits.

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News release - Minister MacAulay announces funding for innovations in sustainable agricultural technology