Agricultural technology promises a greener and more efficient approach to feeding the future. That core idea is driving the 2024 Arrell Food Summit, which takes place on World Food Day, Oct. 16. The annual event run by the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute (AFI) brings together agri-food leaders to discuss how to create safer and more sustainable global food systems. 

Dr. Evan Fraser, director of AFI, says one of the summit’s goals is to drive innovation and growth in the agri-food sector by encouraging ag-tech advancements and supporting start-ups.

“Canada has the potential to be a global leader in sustainable food systems,” Fraser says. “By using our resources and innovation, we can help address both national and global food system challenges.”

 Canada is one of the world’s largest exporters of agricultural products, he says, but it is held back from its full potential with chronic labour shortages, climate change and slow-moving investments in the sector.

Innovations like agricultural technologies, which include biotechnology, automation and precision agriculture, can address these challenges. They are able to reduce greenhouse gases, support business owners facing labour shortages and improve global crop yields and efficiencies. 

‘Agri-food shark tank’: Start-ups to pitch to network of leaders

The summit’s theme this year, “Fueling Innovation Through Food,” has paved the way to its first-ever pitch competition in which agri-food innovators will showcase their ideas for a grand prize of $20,000. 

Participants, all of whom are part of early-stage start-ups, will pitch their ideas to three judges and nearly 200 industry leaders. As agri-food companies often struggle to grow, organizers are hopeful this opportunity will foster some of the crucial collaborations Canada needs.

This new initiative emerges from the latest report from AFI:  “Feeding the Future with Canadian Technology.” The report was created in collaboration with the University of the Fraser Valley and over 100 industry, academic, government and community experts across the country.  

Among its many recommendations, the report calls for cross-country collaboration to recruit more young people into the sector, increase investment in agricultural research and help ag-tech companies scale up and commercialize.

The 2024 Arrell Food Summit, held at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, is led by AFI in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Food Tank, an educational non-profit advocating for greater food security. 

Attendees will experience a full day of speaking events with leaders in industry, food production, non-profit, government and academic organizations who will share the challenges and opportunities facing global food systems.

Other topics include the right to food for a better life and future, as well as Indigenous knowledge, values and stories.

For more information, visit the Arrell Food Summit website and read the full report from AFI.