Media Releases and Opportunities

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 (Truro, N.S.) – Today, Dalhousie University launched the Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture (AIDA) on its Agricultural Campus in Truro, creating a regional hub where researchers, farmers, industry and government will work together to advance precision and digital agriculture across Atlantic Canada.

AIDA will focus on technologies that reflect the realities of Atlantic farming, with particular emphasis on Nova Scotia’s major commodities, including wild blueberries, potatoes, grapes, tree fruit, dairy, eggs and livestock. The work will draw on the deep research strength of the region’s only Faculty of Agriculture and its long-standing leadership in developing solutions tailored to Atlantic crops and conditions.

Read an in-depth case study on how Dalhousie researchers are supporting the wild blueberry sector – Nova Scotia’s largest agricultural export.

“Producers in this region are dealing with variable soils, irregular field conditions, unpredictable weather and tight margins,” said Dr. Heather Bruce, dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. “AIDA is about matching Dalhousie’s expertise with the needs of the sector so that digital and precision tools are developed with Atlantic farms in mind. This is key to building resilient food systems and strong rural communities.”

Dalhousie has earned a strong reputation among Nova Scotia farmers by developing practical, research-driven innovations for region-specific crops such as wild blueberries. Working directly with farmers and processors, the university has helped develop everything from AI-enabled weed identification to GPS-guided harvesting tools. These practical, field-ready technologies have become crucial as climate variability, labour shortages and rising input costs place new pressures on the agricultural sector.

“Dalhousie’s strengths in sustainable food systems, climate solutions and artificial intelligence align directly with what this sector needs,” said Dr. Graham Gagnon, associate vice president research and innovation. “AIDA creates a single point of entry for partners who want to test new ideas, develop technologies and work with us to grow a more resilient agricultural economy.”

Driving innovation

AIDA will bring together expertise in a wide range of fields, including engineering, agronomy, economics and climate, soil, animal and computer science. Researchers will apply drones, robotics, Internet of Things sensors, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, machine learning and other advanced technologies to real-world challenges across the region’s fields, barns, orchards, production lines and supply chains.

“Producers across Atlantic Canada are looking for ways to work more efficiently while managing increasing uncertainty,” said AIDA scientific director Dr. Travis Esau, an engineering researcher known for his work introducing precision farming to wild blueberry production. “Our goal is to co-develop technologies with growers, so the tools fit their operations, reduce inputs and help keep farms viable for the next generation.”

The institute’s work is organized around four core pillars:

·      Precision agriculture, supporting optimized use of water, fertilizer, pesticides and feed while improving yields and environmental outcomes.

·      Robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, advancing technologies such as autonomous field equipment, smart harvesters and AI-driven crop and livestock monitoring.

·      Data-driven management, harnessing connected farms and regional data networks to translate information from sensors, drones and satellites into on-farm decision tools.

·      Human–computer interaction, focusing on technology adoption, training and the development of solutions that work for small and medium-sized farms.

Strengthening collaboration

AIDA will strengthen collaboration across Dalhousie, engaging faculty and students from the Faculties of Agriculture, Science and Computer Science and working closely with partners at federal and provincial research centres.

The institute will also build on longstanding relationships with producer groups and companies, including McCain Foods, Oxford Frozen Foods, Doug Bragg Enterprises, Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation and commodity associations across Atlantic Canada. These partnerships have already led to advances in precision potato production, digital soil mapping and wild blueberry harvesting.

For industry leaders, the institute represents an opportunity to build on a uniquely collaborative agricultural ecosystem in Nova Scotia. Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, says the alignment between farmers, government, industry and Dalhousie researchers has created conditions where homegrown innovation can thrive.

“There is real opportunity when we all come together,” she said. “Working with Dalhousie means the tools being developed reflect our farms, our climate and our scale. Without that, we would be relying on solutions that were not developed with Atlantic Canada in mind.”

AIDA will operate from the Banting Building and Cox Institute on the Agricultural Campus, with plans to connect closely to a future digital agriculture facility now in development as part of the Faculty of Agriculture’s long-term infrastructure strategy.

Media contacts:

Andrew Riley
Senior Manager, Research and Innovation Communication
Dalhousie University
Andrew.riley@dal.ca
902-456-7904

Stephanie Rogers
Manager, Communication
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
s.rogers@dal.ca
902-890-0698