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Manitoba to use digital tech to grow ag labour force

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are collaborating with the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) to address the availability of skilled workers in Manitoba’s agriculture sector. The announcement was made by federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen earlier 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,” Bibeau said. “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.”

Governments are investing $630,000 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) to support EMILI. 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.

“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 provide people with the skills and training required in a digital economy.