Key Takeaways
- Funding Distribution: Québec government grants a total of $654,335 to two Montréal enterprises for their agri-tech innovation projects.
- Major Award: Sollum Technologies receives $614,291 for implementing an intelligent LED lighting system in greenhouses.
- Additional Support: CAPÉ is awarded $40,044 to enhance a greenhouse climate control system with advanced data and remote management features.
- Official Support: The funding underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation in agriculture.
- Strategic Alignment: The investments are aligned with Québec’s Research and Innovation Strategy, aiming to promote commercialization in the agri-tech sector.
Overview Of The Québec Government Grant
The Québec government recently announced substantial grants totaling $654,335 to two companies in Montréal to support their agricultural technology projects. These grants aim to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability through innovative technologies.
Sollum Technologies’ Intelligent Lighting Initiative
Sollum Technologies has been granted $614,291 to implement a smart LED lighting system in a greenhouse environment. The project will demonstrate the integration of intelligent lighting with sensor technologies, aiming to optimize crop yields, plant growth, and energy efficiency. The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, stated, “Investing in the ambitious projects of our most innovative Québec companies in agri-tech is crucial for boosting the industry’s productivity and growth. Our government is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance our economic and food resources.”
CAPÉ’s System Enhancement
The Coopérative pour l’agriculture de proximité écologique (CAPÉ) will use its $40,044 grant to improve a climate control system in greenhouses. The enhancements include a new interface for data import/export and remote operation capabilities, aimed at increasing the system’s commercial viability and user-friendliness. André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, remarked, “Innovative agricultural projects are essential. They hasten the development of new products or processes that can solidify the agri-tech industry’s ecosystem, enabling companies to capitalize on market opportunities locally and beyond.”
Government’s Role and Future Prospects
These financial aids are part of an ongoing initiative under the Québec Research and Innovation Strategy (SQRI2), which plans to allocate $25 million by 2027 to support innovative agricultural technologies. The global market for agri-tech is expanding, currently valued at an estimated $24.6 billion, indicating significant growth and investment potential in this sector.
Image provided by Sollum Technologies
