Discovery Talks
Agricultural Biotechnology and Genomics
Plant Breeding Innovations: Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
by Ian Affleck, Executive Director, Plant Biotechnology, CropLife Canada
To date plant breeding innovations have delivered significant benefits to farmers and environment. This has been realized through the development of technologies which support sustainable farming practices resulting in increased land use efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Many new applications are on the horizon that will further address these challenges, among many others, but there is a need for global regulatory modernization and cooperation if the full potential of these technologies is to be realized.
PDF – Ian Affleck – AIC 2017 Presentations
Genomics: Changing What We Know Today and How We Will Live Tomorrow
by Dr. Simon Potter, Director of Operations, Genome Prairie
Genome Prairie is one of six independent regional genome centres working together with Genome Canada (Ottawa) to promote the development of genomics technologies. Serving the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Genome Prairie has worked to leverage federal, industrial, and international investment to support research projects that apply innovation in genomics to issues and opportunities across all sectors.
Moving forward, the focus of Genome Prairie will be to promote the translation of genomics technologies into products, services and processes that benefit Canadians. Organizational objectives are based on the priorities set out in the Prairies and the needs of regional partners and local industry.
PDF – Simon Potter – AIC 2017 Presentation
Development of Environmentally Friendly Inputs for the Agricultural Industry, in Biofuels, Feedstock and Food Crops
by Dr. Donald L. Smith, Director & CEO, BioFuelNet Canada and James McGill Professor, McGill University
Why? There is a need to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture and to develop inputs that adapt it to developing climate change conditions.
What? Biological inputs involve addition of small amounts of inexpensive materials that enhance crop growth, stress resistance and yield.
Who? It is now clear that the scope for this is large. Work needs to be done by basic research laboratories (academic and government) in collaboration with industry groups.
How? Sample the microbes associated with plants (the phytomicrobiome) and use efficient/rapid screening methods to identify types of interest, followed by larger scale biological and agronomic assessments.
PDF – Donald Smith – AIC 2017 Presentation
Panels & Forum
Opportunities for Clean Technology Innovation in the Agricultural Sector
Towards Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Genomic Technologies in Building a Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Ag-Sector Bioeconomy
by Dr. Naveed Aziz, Director, Technology Programs, Genome Canada
In his presentation, Dr. Aziz will discuss how genomics can be employed to develop and commercialize products and processes that can help mitigate the effects of climate change and also help multiple Canadian sectors adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Dr. Aziz will highlight some of the current and future Genome Canada programs that will contribute towards building a thriving, low-carbon, climate-resilient Canadian economy, based on cutting-edge science, technology and innovation. Applying these strategies will not only support Canada in its commitment to the COP21 (2015 Paris Climate Conference) goals, but provide an opportunity to grow the Canadian bioeconomy.
PDF – Naveed Aziz – AIC 2017 Presentation
Commercializing Agri-technology: Bringing Innovation to Market
by Rattan Gill, Analyst, Agriculture and Regulatory Affairs, Bioenterprise Corporation
Availability of an effective commercialization pipeline is vital for promoting innovation and technology development. Technology commercialization services support start-ups by translating innovative ideas into marketable products.
This presentation will provide an overview of the agri-tech innovation landscape, and the national and global impact of agri-food industry. Within the innovation ecosystem, an exploration of the components of a typical commercialization pipeline will follow, while the role of accelerators will be illustrated in greater detail using Bioenterprise Corporation as a model.
Success stories of ventures that have benefited from the business commercialization support of Bioenterprise will be discussed.
PDF – Rattan Gill – AIC 2017 Presentation
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Agriculture Innovation in a Changing Setting: A Government Perspective
by Dr. Abdul Jalil, Assistant Deputy Minister, Western Economic Diversification
This presentation will provide an overview of the current Government of Canada’s economic priorities and drivers of Canada’s Innovation Agenda. The economic environment, climate change, clean technology and key challenges to agriculture innovation will be topics of discussion. Government of Canada and WD funding opportunities along with advocacy and coordination roles will be outlined in the presentation.