AI-Powered App Transforms Canadian Grain Quality Assessment for Farmers and Exporters

Protein Industries Canada Brings AI to Grain Quality Assessment

Protein Industries Canada has teamed up with Grain Discovery, Inarix, and Sevita International to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) tools for grain quality evaluation. The goal is to integrate AI into Canada’s established grain grading system, making quality data more accessible and actionable for farmers through smartphone technology.

This initiative will deliver a smartphone-based tool that uses computer vision and machine learning to assess soybean quality within 20 seconds. By offering fast, consistent, and scalable quality measurements, the platform supports better crop management decisions and enhances transparency across the grain supply chain—from farms to exporters.

How the AI Solution Works

• Users take a photo of a soybean sample with a standard smartphone.
• The AI platform analyzes the image and provides a quality assessment quickly.
• Results are standardized, enabling real-time monitoring and traceability.

This software-as-a-service (SaaS) model complements traditional grain testing methods, improving data flow and helping farmers and buyers make informed decisions promptly.

Benefits for the Grain Value Chain

• Real-time, consistent soybean variety assessment.
• Improved traceability and transparency for buyers and processors.
• Accessible technology suited for rural smartphone users.

Grain Discovery will lead commercialization and deployment, utilizing AI components developed by Inarix. Sevita International provides historic data and serves as the primary pilot site for testing the system in real-world conditions.

Industry Perspectives

Robert Hunter, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, highlighted that this project exemplifies how accessible AI can optimize farm-level decisions and enhance crop traceability. This effort supports consistent delivery of high-quality, food-grade crops, strengthening Canada’s agri-food sector.

Rory O’Sullivan, CEO of Grain Discovery, said the tool adds valuable, fast insights to their existing product lineup, making the supply chain more transparent and efficient.

Audric Chauveau, Head of Product at Inarix, emphasized their commitment to applying AI expertise in the grain quality sector.

Sandy Hart, General Manager at Sevita International, noted that Canada’s reputation for high-value grains is built on expertise and infrastructure, and this project further enhances purity and quality for global markets.

Investment and Strategic Importance

The project has secured $1.3 million in funding, with Protein Industries Canada contributing $700,000 and partners providing the remainder. This effort is part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS), which supports AI adoption across the Canadian economy.

By integrating AI into agriculture, the project supports The Road to $25 Billion initiative, aiming to strengthen Canada’s crop supply for ingredient manufacturers and food processors.

Why This Matters for IT and Development Professionals

This project showcases practical AI applications in agriculture, combining computer vision and machine learning to solve a real-world problem. It’s an example of how SaaS platforms can bring advanced analytics directly to end users via mobile devices.

For IT professionals, it highlights opportunities to contribute to cross-sector innovation—building AI models that operate efficiently on smartphones and developing scalable cloud-based services that integrate with existing industry workflows.

Exploring similar AI applications and tools can be valuable for those interested in the intersection of AI and agritech. More AI training resources can be found at Complete AI Training.