The governments of Canada and Manitoba are collaborating with the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative to address the availability of skilled workers in Manitoba’s agriculture sector, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today.
“Intelligent technologies and agri-food data can open new opportunities for our industry and grow Canada’s position as a global leader in agriculture,” said Bibeau. “We must continue to find ways to use technology to sustainably feed a growing population. These investments are helping EMILI lead the charge on the future of innovation in agriculture, driving major advances in productivity and sustainability.”
“Adopting new and innovative strategies is the key to ensuring industry meets growth targets,” said Pedersen. “Partnerships between government, industry and academia will ensure curriculums provide training relevant to future workforce needs to allow Manitoba’s agriculture industry to continue to thrive.”
Governments are investing $630,000 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support EMILI, the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative. The funding will assist EMILI in establishing a Manitoba industry, academia partnership to align education and training with industry demanded skills including digital asset mapping, and creating work integrated learning opportunities for students at all levels.
“EMILI is grateful for the support of the governments of Canada and Manitoba through this investment in the digital agriculture industry. Digital agriculture in Manitoba is growing and will continue to be a driving force of our economy,” said Ray Bouchard, board chair, EMILI Manitoba. “EMILI’s leadership of the Manitoba Digital Agriculture Table and the technology tools being developed will empower our people and our businesses with the resources needed to seize this important digital agriculture opportunity.”
EMILI was created to prepare and empower the Manitoba economy to leverage digital disruption for success with a specific focus on digital agriculture. EMILI works with industry and academia to accelerate the adoption of intelligent technologies and to provide people with the skills and training required in a digital economy.
The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit
www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership.