Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is awarding $50 million to the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN), thereby allowing CAAIN to launch new programming, beginning in fall 2026. 

CAAIN will continue to focus on its primary mandate of funding the development and adoption of innovation that increases the productivity, profitability, and/or sustainability of the nation’s agricultural producers. Over the past six years, the organization has committed more than $42M of ISED dollars to 56 projects whose total value exceeds $133M. It is worth noting that of the 30 projects to have completed their CAAIN funding cycle, a number have successfully gone to market, validating ISED’s faith in their long-term value and effectively providing taxpayers a strong return on investment. 

“To say we appreciate ISED’s belief in us and what we do would be an understatement,” says Darrell Petras, CEO. “As someone who once farmed, I can’t begin to express the importance of the investments the ISED program allows. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Government of Canada, thereby supporting the brilliant technology entrepreneurs whose innovative solutions to agricultural challenges support the farmers who put food on our tables.” 

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is a not-for-profit company created in 2019 with funding from the Government of Canada. CAAIN provides a significant return on taxpayer investment

Source: Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network August 26, 2026 news release