Funding Alert: SCAP BC: On-Farm Technology Adoption Program

The SCAP BC program supports B.C.-based farms’ adoption of labour-saving technologies that will enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency.

Funding Alert: Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) BC: On-Farm Technology Adoption Program

The SCAP BC program supports B.C.-based farms’ adoption of labour-saving technologies that will enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency.

Application Deadline: October 6, 2024.

Funding timeline: 2024 to 2026.

Program Objective for SCAP BC

The program supports the adoption of commercially viable, labour-saving technologies on farms – that are new to Canada, B.C., a specific commodity sector, or a region. Said technologies must enhance the ability to grow, raise, harvest, pack, or store crops and animals more effectively, productively, or profitability.

Funding Process

Important Dates:

Application intake opens: August 20, 2024
Application intake closes: October 6, 2024
Award decisions sent to applicants: November 15, 2024
All technologies/products must be delivered to the farm: March 20, 2025
Results reporting on first year of adoption: March 20, 2026

Program Funding Amount

Minimum funding of $1,000 to a maximum of $100,000

Cost-share of up to 65% by the Program
At least 35% cash contribution from the Applicant

Eligible Applicants:

Applicant types eligible for the SCAP BC program:

Agriculture producers (i.e., farmers, growers, or ranchers) of primary agriculture commodities; and
Indigenous business or entrepreneurs – majority owned by Indigenous individuals or communities (at least 51%) and produce primary agricultural commodities or engage in traditional food production practices

Applicants must meet the below criteria:

Based in B.C.
Appropriately registered, licensed and/or certified to conduct business in B.C.
Minimum of two years in operation
No less than $50,000 in annual revenue during the previous two years from the production of primary B.C. agriculture commodities

Eligible Project Costs

Examples of eligible labour-saving technology:

Autonomous Equipment/Robotics:
- Autonomous weeding equipment, transplanting systems, supply delivery systems, harvesters, sorting at harvest, or manure collection systems.
Machinery
- Automated grading and sorting machines, pruning/tying equipment, precision fertilization or stacking and dumping equipment.
Smart Sensors and Monitoring Equipment
- Smart camera-guided systems, smart temperature and moisture sensing, health monitoring for livestock via sensors, GPS ear tags for livestock, or leaf, soil moisture, or sap flow sensors.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- AI systems for optical sorting, health monitoring of livestock, climate monitoring, or weeding or pest management.
Farm Business Management Tools