Calgary Cultivates Future: OCIF Plants $2.75M in Agri-Tech Hub AgSphere
Calgary's Strategic Investment in Agri-Food Innovation
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) is committing up to $2.75 million over five years to establish AgSphere, a pioneering hub designed to advance agri-food innovation across Canada. This investment, announced December 2, 2025, directly manifests the City of Calgary’s broader Innovation Strategy, aiming to diversify the local economy and solidify the city’s role as an innovation capital.
Addressing Critical Workforce Needs and Economic Growth
AgSphere is poised to be a central ecosystem merging agriculture, technology, and food, linking Western Canada's agricultural expertise with Calgary's strengths in tech, energy, and capital. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who assumed office on October 29, 2025, following his election on October 20, 2025, highlighted AgSphere's role in tackling global food and energy challenges with "made-in-Calgary" solutions. The hub plans to support 75 companies and train 450 individuals over five years, a timely initiative given the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council's estimate of a national workforce shortage exceeding 100,000 by 2030 – a 15% increase from 2023.
A Legacy of Agriculture Meets Future-Forward Vision
Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development and CEO of OCIF, underscored the investment's role in strengthening the agriculture sector and driving economic growth. "This investment strengthens our agriculture sector, drives economic growth and is another step forward in positioning Calgary as the innovation capital of Canada," he stated. Temporarily housed at Stampede Park, AgSphere symbolically bridges Calgary's deep agricultural roots with its forward-looking innovation agenda. This strategic placement aligns with city planning efforts to leverage existing assets for new economic opportunities. Since its creation in 2018, OCIF has generated over $1.1 billion in economic activity, supported 965 companies, and created or retained 3,500 jobs, with Farm Credit Canada reports showing that every dollar invested in agricultural R&D yields an estimated $10 to $20 return, underscoring the high-impact nature of OCIF's support and Calgary's dedication to a resilient, diversified economic future.
