Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $1.1-million in 4 industry-led research and development projects.

The money is through the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) and Agtech Growth Fund (AGF). 

The SAIF supports the commercialization of innovations in the province’s core economic sectors, while the AGF works in concert to accelerate the commercialization of novel agricultural technologies, according to the province in a news release.

The province also notes the intake period for both programs takes place twice a year, and these projects were selected during the fall 2022 intake:

Prairie Clean Energy is receiving $180-thousand for developing a technically viable pathway in Saskatchewan for producing and using flax straw pellets as industrial biomass fuel.

Kvale Informatics Consulting Ltd is getting $300-thousand for developing a data platform between grain farmers and processors to provide a place to access information related to grain production, storage, and processing.

Super GeoAL Technology Inc. is earmarked $200-thousand for developing a mobile app capable of automatically quantifying and assessing wheat heads and kernels using artificial intelligence and smart phone images.

Rayhawk Technologies Inc. is getting $450-thousand for developing an autonomous railcar lid opening system to improve worker safety.