MacDonald announces nearly $900,000 for SmartGRO clean lighting technology

The funding, under the Agricultural Clean Technology Program's Research and Innovation Stream, supports testing and scaling of clean lighting technology for indoor agriculture.

Alberta

Parliament Hill Desk Federal Politics Published 11 September 2026, 21:30 UTC Written up 14 September 2026 1 source 1 min read

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Minister MacDonald announced an investment of nearly $900,000 for SmartGRO Bioengineering Inc. under the Agricultural Clean Technology Program – Research and Innovation Stream, the government said in a release dated Sept. 11, 2026.

In partnership with Hydragreens vertical farm, the funding enables SmartGRO to test and scale new clean lighting technology that helps indoor agriculture producers grow more while using less electricity, according to the release.

The release states that the funding is in addition to a $750 million investment dedicated to controlled environment agriculture through the National Food Security Strategy, and that such innovations lower costs and help local producers grow more food year-round, closer to home.

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