B.C.-Netherlands Agritech Action Plan

The Province of B.C. and the Netherlands signed a two-year action plan, in May 2022, to explore collaborative opportunities in agricultural technology. The actions in this agreement will benefit each jurisdiction’s economies to create stronger, more resilient food systems for future generations.

Why has B.C. pursued this Action Plan?

• Agritech supports agriculture and food security in B.C. by improving the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of farm operations.  
• Advancing food security and agritech for B.C. are strategic priorities in mandates for the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
• This agreement also builds on the already strong connections between the Netherlands and B.C. farming communities.

The action plan has been created to help the jurisdictions work together to deliver initiatives and cross-cultural learning exchanges that support sustainable agricultural and agritech opportunities for people and businesses in B.C. and the Netherlands. Specifically, the action plan supports:

• Government-to-Government Dialogue
• Scientific Coordination
• Industry Partnership and Exchange Opportunities
• Coordination and Mentoring of Activities

The two jurisdictions have a dedicated team to implement the action plan. So far, the team is promoting business partnerships between the two jurisdictions, connecting academics in agritech or related fields, arranging for a Dutch delegation of academics and businesses to visit B.C., planning for BC participation in a Netherlands agritech event, and sharing information, such as how growers, government, and academia work together, and look for opportunities for connections that might advance both sectors.

Links:

• View the action plan (PDF, 79 KB), signed by both the Ministers of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and Agriculture and Food
• View the news release about the Action Plan