CALGARY — Canada is putting new federal funding behind artificial intelligence and automation in agriculture as Ottawa moves to strengthen the country’s food-production technology sector.

The federal government announced a $50 million investment in the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) through the Strategic Response Fund.

The funding will support the development, demonstration, adoption and commercialization of Canadian technologies designed to improve the agri-food sector. Ottawa says the investment comes as global supply-chain disruptions and rising food costs create new pressures for Canada’s food system.

CAAIN focuses on technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and intelligent food-production systems. The new investment is intended to help Canadian companies and researchers move innovative technologies from development into commercial use.

The federal government says strengthening domestic technology capabilities could help the Canadian agri-food sector become more productive and resilient while supporting access to affordable and healthy food.

The investment highlights agriculture as an increasingly important market for Canadian AI and automation, with technology expected to play a larger role in farming, food processing and supply-chain management.