December 2, 2024—The Canadian agricultural sector faces a number of challenges on the path to net zero, accounting for over 10% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions and a looming retirement boom that could see a 40% deficit of farm operators by 2033.
While farmers are working to reduce the environmental impacts of the goods they produce, securing high crop yields is often a driving force in operational decision-making, despite it not always being the most environmental or economic decision. Many farmers are working to incorporate soil health and biodiversity practices and reduce negative environmental impacts, but these initiatives are often de-prioritised due to farmer labour constraints and risk aversion. Innovative approaches and technologies are needed to help overcome labour shortages and reduce the environmental impacts of Canadian agriculture.
The Agtech Innovation and Adoption Program
Foresight’s new Agtech Innovation and Technology Adoption program has launched with funding support from RBC. Building on the successful Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge and the Soil Health and Nutrient Management Challenge, Foresight is partnering with the Ontario Soil Network (OSN) to address the challenges Canadian farmers are facing by tackling prevalent issues like labour shortages and prioritizing soil nutrient management, precision agriculture techniques, and minimizing the reliance on fossil fuels. The project will connect farmers with the most promising agtech innovators and result in pilot projects that will allow farmers to validate solutions in their own operations, leading to farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing and ultimately fast-tracking the adoption of cleantech.
OSN Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge
The OSN Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge, the first Challenge to launch under the Agtech Innovation and Adoption Program, is seeking innovative solutions to optimize nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in Ontario farming operations. Nitrogen is a key indicator of soil health and an essential nutrient for plant growth. It plays a critical role in fertilizers used to maintain and increase crop yields. Currently, NUE is extremely low, with only about half of the applied nitrogen being absorbed by plants. This inefficiency leads to excessive fertilizer use, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide), negative impacts on water quality, and higher costs for farmers. By focusing on applying the right rate of nitrogen at the right time and leveraging organic nitrogen pools, the goal is to reduce potential nitrogen loss, enhance soil health, and increase on-farm profitability.
Think you have a solution?
The OSN Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge is run with support from Foresight’s agriNEXT program, and funded by RBC and Farm Credit Canada.
About OSN
The OSN is a farmer-led network where farmers work together to adopt and promote practical, proven approaches to improving soil health. Through the strength of the network, we share knowledge, strengthen communities, and support each other to improve soil health and ensure a strong future for our farms and families.
Quotes
We’re thrilled to see Canada’s food growers looking to cleantech to help navigate and mitigate ever-worsening climate, labour and profitability challenges. The support from RBC will empower Canadian farmers with innovative solutions that enhance productivity while prioritizing sustainability. This collaboration is a vital step in bridging the gap between Canada’s agtech innovators and our farming communities, ensuring the transition to net zero is effective and inclusive.
Jeanette Jackson CEO, Foresight Canada
Technological adoption gaps in agriculture hinder our path to a resilient and equitable food-secure future. With agriNEXT supporting agtech solutions and the agricultural ecosystem across the country, and funding support from RBC, we can help break down barriers and advance innovative solutions to empower farmers and ensure a more secure food system for all.
Bonita Mathew Manager, Water and Agriculture
At the OSN, we believe that the future of Canadian agriculture lies in empowering farmers with innovative, practical solutions that address real-world challenges. By partnering with Foresight and with funding from RBC, we’re able to connect farmers with leading agtech innovators who share our commitment to sustainability and resilience. This collaboration is key to helping farmers adopt and improve new technologies that benefit not just the environment, but also enhance farm productivity and profitability.
Tori Waugh Executive Director, The Ontario Soil Network
Technological innovations can help support the decarbonization of agriculture, enhance the ability of agricultural lands to sequester carbon and support biodiversity, and improve productivity. That’s why RBC is proud to support Foresight’s Agtech Innovation and Technology adoption program, which promotes agtech solutions that help to address the many challenges faced by Canadian farmers.
Thea Silver Senior Director, Environmental Impact, RBC
