New technology plays a major role in securing California's leadership in agricultural production. CDFA awarded 25 grants for new technology research specific to specialty crops including strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and cover crops. By making this investment, California farmers will stay competitive in the world market.

Ensuring that California remains at the forefront of research and cutting edge technology is essential. To support this effort CDFA awarded $5.7 million to the California Agricultural Technology Institute (CATI) at California State University, Fresno to administer a competitive grant program through its Agricultural Research Initiative program (ARI).

CATI is a non-profit, applied agricultural and environmental research and educational institution in the California State University system. CATI develops and evaluates promising new technologies that have the potential to improve agriculture's economic performance, sustainability and environmental sensitivity. CATI is internationally recognized as a center of excellence. Its projects and programs provide immediate and practical solutions for high-priority issues challenging California agriculture.

Click here to see a listing of these grants and learn more about their project status.