Ottawa-Nearly one-third of the jobs in agriculture and one-fifth of those in food and beverage manufacturing could be taken over by automation within the next decade, which will require the development of new skill sets in the sector, says a report from the Conference Board of Canada.

By embracing automation and technological advancement, the agrifood sector stands to increase productivity and competitiveness, potentially exceeding those seen in many other industries, while addressing some of the labour challenges it faces, says the report called The Next Frontier in Canada’s Agrifood Sector prepared in co-operation with the Future Skills Centre.

“The integration of automation and digital technologies is not only reshaping the landscape of these industries but also the skills sets required to thrive within them,” the report says. “Addressing the skills gap and altering perceptions about careers in these industries will enable organizations to attract and retain the talent necessary for embracing these technological advancements.”

The report calls for investment in both education and professional development programs “that enable workers to effectively adopt and integrate advanced technologies in the agrifood sector. “These programs should focus on developing workers’ proficiencies in digital tools, product design, and complex problem-solving, as well as emphasizing soft skills such as adaptability. By providing workers with opportunities to acquire these sought-after skills, policymakers and sector stakeholders could help bridge the skills gaps that currently hinder the adoption of advanced technologies in the agrifood sector as well as help transition at-risk workers.”

Also, the role of farming and food production needs to better promoted to debunk stereotypes “to attract more tech focused individuals into the sector. Given the challenge of rural recruitment, sector stakeholders and educational institutions should showcase the innovative and technologically advanced aspects of modern agriculture and food production.

“Challenging outdated perceptions and attracting a diverse, tech-savvy workforce is needed. For example, emphasizing how the use of advanced technologies such as drones, robotics, AI, sensors, and data analytics are revolutionizing traditional farming and manufacturing practices can attract tech-savvy workers into the sector. Moreover, illustrating how agri-food professionals contribute to finding solutions for global food security, environmental sustainability, and resource management could help recruit new and younger talent to the sector.”

The report also calls for support for small-to-medium-sized farmers in providing in-house or manufacturing training to their staff. As equipment becomes more specialized, training will become increasingly important and government and industry organizations could provide support and resources to enable small-to-medium-sized primary producers, processors and distributors to offer this training to their employees, either in-house or through a manufacturer.

“Moreover, governments could offer financial support in the form of grants, subsidies, or low-interest loans to these stakeholders for investing in training programs and purchasing equipment for employee training. Additionally, industry organizations could facilitate partnerships between agri-food stakeholders and equipment manufacturers to develop tailored training programs that address the specific needs and challenges of each industry. These partnerships could help ensure that training materials are up-to date and aligned with the latest technological advancements in the agrifood sector.”

There should be assistance in the creation of knowledge-transfer programs, connecting aging farmers with new entrants in their region, the report said. “Policymakers and industry associations could develop and promote initiatives that foster mentorship and knowledge-sharing between experienced farmers and new entrants.

“Programs like this could advance the industry by ensuring that workers are provided with new knowledge through the preservation and transfer of valuable skills and expertise around planting and harvesting schedules, crop rotation, soil management, irrigation, pest control, and breeding. Strategies for upskilling and reskilling workers are a key part of ensuring that Canada’s agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing industries not only adapt to technological advancements but also lead the way in innovation and sustainability.”

The full report is available on the Conference Board website at www.conferenceboard.ca

This news item prepared for National Newswatch