SREDA has attracted the attention of companies worldwide to travel to Saskatoon bringing with them their agriculture advancements and innovations. As part of SREDA’s Agriculture Technology HARVEST Program (HARVEST), seven global ag-tech companies have been selected to travel to Saskatoon July 15 to 18.
While in Saskatoon the seven companies will attend the 2019 Innovations in Agriculture Reception and participate in Ag in Motion, Western Canada’s largest Outdoor Farm Expo. They will also meet with Saskatchewan agriculture companies and professionals to showcase their unique technologies and seek business opportunities in the Saskatoon Region.
“The future of the agriculture industry depends on advancements in agriculture, as producers strive to feed the world,” said Alex Fallon, SREDA President and CEO. “The Saskatoon Region is a hub for world-class agriculture innovations and innovators, so it’s not a surprise that our HARVEST program is attracting companies from around the world to learn more about what is going on right here on the prairies.”
SREDA, with support from the Government of Saskatchewan and industry partners, launched the program in 2017 as a fresh approach to business attraction. After promoting the program globally, 24 companies from eight different countries applied to this year’s program and seven were chosen to travel to Saskatoon.
“Our HARVEST program is unique as it brings international agriculture technology companies to the Saskatoon Region as opposed to traditional business attraction programs where local representatives travel to various countries promoting a region. This type of program allows companies to experience first-hand the Saskatoon Region, the strength of our agriculture industry and the strong potential for local partnership and investment,” added Fallon.
The 2019 HARVEST winners are: 3Bar Biologics, USA; Atmonia, Iceland; Hummingbird Technologies, United Kingdom; Itaka Solutions, United Kingdom; Mercaris, USA; SensoTerra, Netherlands; and Timac Agro International, France. The winners were chosen by experts representing Saskatchewan agriculture companies, organizations and government: Ministry of Trade and Export Development; Farm Credit Canada; Ag-West Bio; Ministry of Agriculture; Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute; Farm West Ag; National Research Council Canada; and Innovation Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan farmers and growers are known for their progressive approach to agriculture and much of Canada’s 2.43 million acres of organic farmland is in this province. So as a young, ambitious company participation in HARVEST provides an exciting opportunity to meet and engage with these leaders,” said Vincenzo Brugaletta, Itaka Solutions CEO.
“With 40 per cent of Canada’s cultivated farmland, a deep tradition of agricultural innovation and a competitive business environment, Saskatchewan is perfectly placed to help set the pace for agricultural technology commercialization, particularly with respect to dryland farming equipment,” said Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison. “The HARVEST program provides an ideal platform to enable the kind of collaboration and investment that can strengthen our market connections, create new ones, and keep our economy growing in exciting ways.”
