Food security and sustaining agriculture in the face of climate change are global challenges that require global solutions, which is why Simon Fraser University is partnering with the world’s top agritech university. During an Innovation Day event hosted by the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) in Surrey today, Simon Fraser University and Wageningen University & Research signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on future research programs, share knowledge and spark innovation in the agritech field.

The seeds have been sown and the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) is ready to reap the rewards under the guidance of its new scientific director, Woo Soo Kim. Kim, professor and associate director of the Simon Fraser University School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, steps into the role having made a name for himself as an expert and leader in his field.

Four B.C. businesses developing solutions to help ensure the province’s food systems remain secure, resilient and sustainable are the first to receive funding and partner with the Simon Fraser University-led B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI).

A new B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation—to be housed at Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus—will further position British Columbia as a world leader in agriculture technology (agritech) by improving food security—locally and globally—while creating hundreds of new jobs.

Advances in technology that will help grow B.C.’s agriculture sector and produce ‘wearable’ healthcare solutions will be possible through federal funding for two new Simon Fraser University initiatives. SFU is receiving $10 million from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) for its AGtech Innovation Sandbox (AGIS), which will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale-up and commercialize agritech in B.C.