EMILI worked with the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute on an applied research project to study how public policy can support the adoption of digital agriculture technology in Canada.

(Report published May 2025)

As the digitization of the economy continues to accelerate, it is imperative that the agri-food sector leverages digital technology to drive productivity and sustainability.  This is a critical policy conversation as conversations related to the next agricultural policy framework (2028-2033) are starting now.

This project examined the current policy landscape in Canada and surveyed the policies and programs in global peer countries. The project was also informed by a small number of stakeholder interviews. The completed report is now available on the CAPI website.

K. Volpi Hiebert, D. Lussier, E. Lika, T. McCann.  The Future is Digital: Digital Agriculture and Canadian Agriculture Policy.  Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.  May 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Current conversations about digital agriculture focus too much on the potential benefits of technology, not enough on farm-level realities. Shifting to practical challenges and payoffs can drive meaningful change.
  • Digital agriculture tools available to producers today have been proven to boost productivity and competitiveness and reduce environmental impacts with the potential to unlock a further $750 million to $1.5 billion in annual net revenue over the next decade.
  • Adoption rates in Canada remain relatively low, leaving farmers behind global peers. Poor rural connectivity, unclear rates of return on investment, and distrust of the data stewardship policies are a few of the barriers that stall adoption.
  • The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership ignored digital agriculture as an area of focus. The next FPT agriculture policy framework agreement should attach strategic importance to strengthening the adoption and effective use of digital technologies, especially given the rapid digitalization of the broader Canadian and global economies.
  • Aging farmers, succession gaps, market pressures, and global trade uncertainty make this a now-or-never moment. The digital transformation of Canadian agriculture cannot wait forever.

Status Updates

  • May 2025: Final report published on the CAPI website
  • March 2025: Stakeholder interviews
  • February 2025: Initial desk research and information gathering
  • January 2025:  Project kickoff

Project Team

Elisabeta Lika – Research Associate, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
Tyler McCann – Managing Director, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
Kyle Volpi Hiebert – Manager, Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, EMILI
Dan Lussier – Director, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative, EMILI

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