Researchers at the University of Winnipeg are leading the creation of a new provincial hub aimed at advancing applied research in digital agriculture and strengthening Manitoba’s position as a leader in the sector.
Backed by a $460,000 grant from the Manitoba Crop Alliance and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, the Manitoba Consortium for Digital Agriculture (MCDA) will bring together academics, farmers, government and industry partners to collaborate on developing practical digital tools for producers.
The funding has enabled the consortium to hire its first staff member, Elena GomezHaro, who began in January as industry and funding partner liaison.
GomezHaro brings 20 years of experience in food science and product development. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba and previously worked as an industry liaison and research manager at RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen. Her background also includes roles with Manitoba Agriculture’s Food Development Centre and private-sector companies.
Her role with the MCDA includes identifying research opportunities, building relationships with grower associations and industry groups, writing grant proposals and organizing events, including an annual symposium. She will also help develop the consortium’s strategic direction.
“I want to build on the significant progress already made in digital agriculture by clearly understanding our current landscape and identifying the key stakeholders who shape it,” GomezHaro said. “Our goal is to help these stakeholders connect, strengthen their relationships and, if possible, help them collaborate.”
Organizers say digital technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors and smart hardware are increasingly central to farm operations. By aligning research talent with industry needs, the consortium aims to streamline funding applications and accelerate the development and adoption of useful tools.
Katherine Stanley, research program manager for special crops with Manitoba Crop Alliance, said the organization hopes the initiative will make research more responsive to farmers.
“It is our hope that bringing together peers from universities and colleges across Manitoba will ensure farmers’ questions are being answered more efficiently and precisely than ever,” she said.
Daryl Domitruk, research project manager with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, said farmer-led research will be key.
“We think farmer-led research will lead to a better understanding of how digital tools work and consequently, to which problems they should be applied,” he said, adding the goal is to increase farmers’ confidence in selecting digital applications.
Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, vice-president of research and innovation at the University of Winnipeg, said the MCDA represents an important step toward building a province-wide ecosystem for digital agriculture.
“By aligning talent, infrastructure and partnerships, the MCDA will accelerate the development and adoption of digital tools that enhance productivity, sustainability and competitiveness, and position Manitoba as a national leader in the future of agriculture,” he said.
The consortium remains in its formative stages and does not yet have a formal governance structure or website. Organizers describe it not as a physical centre but as a collaborative network.
Dr. James Beck, a TerraByte principal investigator and assistant professor at the University of Winnipeg who helped secure the industry funding, said the idea emerged in 2024 after Manitoba Crop Alliance invited bold proposals for future research investment.
While digital agriculture often brings to mind drones and autonomous tractors, Beck said the consortium’s scope will extend beyond high-profile technologies to include plant breeding, pathology and soil science, alongside artificial intelligence and robotics.
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Mar 11, 2026 at 09:14
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