About
The Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture (AIDA) will lead the transformation of agriculture in Atlantic Canada through cutting-edge technology and data-driven innovation. AIDA will bridge academia, industry, and government to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies, enhancing food security and economic growth across the region.
Located within 麻豆社鈥檚 Faculty of Agriculture, AIDA brings together experts in precision agriculture, robotics, AI, aquaculture, and more to drive impactful research and training. The Institute will support high-value food production using smart farming tools like IoT sensors, drones, and big data analytics, while reducing environmental impact and boosting productivity.
With advanced labs, infrastructure projects, and a growing team of world-class researchers, AIDA is set to position Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada as global leaders in sustainable digital agriculture.聽
Our research projects and initiatives
The Atlantic Institute for Digital Agriculture (AIDA) is focused on advancing sustainable food systems through digital agriculture. Its research is built on five foundational pillars:聽
Precision agriculture
AIDA promotes resource-efficient farming using technologies like soil sensors, satellite imagery, and AI. This pillar supports sustainable crop and livestock production, improves land use, and contributes to Canada's net-zero emissions goals.
Robotics, automation & artificial intelligence
This pillar explores smart technologies鈥攕uch as autonomous vehicles, drones, and AI-powered robots鈥攖o automate labor-intensive tasks, address workforce shortages, and enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Data-driven management
AIDA leverages big data and IoT to optimize farm operations. Smart farms across Atlantic Canada will collect and analyze data to improve decision-making, crop yields, and resource use, while supporting economic growth and innovation.
Human-computer interface
Recognizing barriers to technology adoption, AIDA focuses on farmer education, policy advocacy, and user-friendly tools. It aims to bridge the gap between advanced technologies and practical farm applications through outreach and tailored solutions.
Knowledge mobilization & capacity building
AIDA emphasizes the importance of technology adoption for real-world impact. Collaborations with social scientists, government extension teams, and industry partners ensure effective knowledge transfer and support for producers
