NDP MLA Jessie Sunner says funding will create jobs and strengthen economy in Surrey
SURREY – New Democrat MLA Jessie Sunner says funding for local agritech projects and training will create new jobs and strengthen the local economy in Surrey.
“I’m proud of the work coming out of technology companies in our communities,” said Jessie Sunner, MLA for Surrey-Newton. “Through BCCAI, companies like Green Smart Technologies are working on extending the life of fresh berries, while companies like Argus Controls System are testing ways to optimize food production. These are just some of the examples of the projects Surrey based companies are working on to ensure British Columbians can continue to enjoy more fresh, high-quality food.”
In Surrey, the following projects and training programs are being funded:
- Argus Controls System Ltd. in Surrey will pilot an IoT platform for data-driven controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities that optimize crop yield and resource use efficiency through a project investment of $6.2 million.
- Argus Controls System Ltd is partnering with Aroya and Aranet on their project.
- Green Smart Technologies Inc. in Surrey has a $98,000 project to develop a natural, plant-based coating to extend the shelf life of fresh cranberries and other berries.
- Green Smart Technologies Inc. is partnering with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Liquidseal B.V. on their project.
- Ocion Water Sciences in Surrey is receiving funding for two projects: One project will utilize $109,000 to evaluate CT11 in a field trial for commercialization as a manure treatment product to help dairy farmers meet GHG reduction goals.
- Ocion Water Sciences is partnering with the University of British Columbia (UBC) on their project.
- KPU is delivering a 4-section upskilling workshop that will bridge the gap for many industry professionals, including farmers, breeders, distributors, and veterinarians, who need a comprehensive knowledge of how the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology works.
- This project represents a $12,000 investment.
Nineteen local projects and opportunities around BC are being supported by a $15.5 million combined investment from the province, B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), and industry. Projects include helping companies scale up technology and work with B.C. farmers and agriculture experts to deliver more solutions and opportunities to strengthen the B.C. agricultural industry. These projects are expected to help upskill more than 800 people through new training, and lead to 194 new jobs, in addition to growth for businesses, producers, and processors.
This work is part of the StrongerBC Economic Action Plan that is helping address climate change while making the agriculture industry more sustainable and resilient, and these projects and training opportunities help fulfill these goals.