AGRICULTURE
Jacqueline Keena Photo by David Lipnowski
Photo courtesy of EMILI
For Manitoba, the opportunity is more than making farms more efficient. Agriculture already gives the province a significant economic foundation; pairing that strength with innovation could allow Manitoba to capture more value from the tech- nologies shaping the future of the industry. From the fields where new technologies are tested to the companies developing them and the talent needed to bring them
“We've been very active in pursuing and having conversations through the Canadian Federation of Agriculture to ensure that there is continued long-term strength in that research system,” she says, adding that it’s also key to invest in the people who make up the industry. The ecosystem in Manitoba is very strong, Keena adds. "There's significant investment available for ag-tech companies to grow, and high-calibre researchers and innovators coming out of post- secondaries with great inventions and ideas,” she says. “We have all of the required components of a really strong ag-tech innovation ecosystem here in Manitoba.”
Despite significant advances in technology, producers still face a variety of challenges, some more significant than others. Connectivity in rural areas is a big one, Verwey says. “You’re taking advantage of all of this technology that we have, but you are at the mercy of the availability of technology, whether that be cellular service, broadband and internet, fibre optics; all of those things are needed on the farming operations,” Verwey says. “So, when we talk about infra- structure being there to support our growth, that's really top of mind.” Another area that is crucial to the ag industry is research capacity, Verwey says, which saw some signifi- cant cuts this year.
to market, Manitoba has the pieces of an ecosystem that can compete well beyond its borders. ■
From the fields where new technologies are tested to the companies developing them and the talent needed to bring them to market, Manitoba has the pieces of an ecosystem that can compete well beyond its borders.
Photo by David Lipnowski
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WINTER 2026
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