As part of the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) program, the Government of Canada has committed to supporting the research and development of technology to sustainably grow Canada’s agriculture sector.
The latest investment from the ACT program has been announced as $832,000 towards Safi Enterprises, otherwise known as Takachar, for the development of small, organic waste converters.
These converters are being developed in partnership with the University of British Columbia to make carbon-based fertilizers using crop residue.
Similar converter systems exist within large agricultural plants, but the goal of Safi Entreprises' portable and low-cost converters is to bring this technology to farms in rural areas, including First Nation communities.
On top of being an additional source of income by producing and selling carbon-based products, these portable converters will also diminish the burning of crop residues. This will ultimately lower greenhouse gas emissions and the risk of wildfires.
Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has summarized the benefits of these converters "Safi Enterprises and its partners are working to provide rural communities in BC with the tools to turn waste into cash. This research supports economic growth and development of the agricultural sector, while aiming to reduce fertilizer and greenhouse gas emissions."
The ACT program continues to take applications to support the expansion of clean technologies. More information can be found here: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agricultural-clean-technology-research-innovation-stream