New technology helps growers improve yields and reduce waste
Vegetable farmers across Canada face several challenges, including labor shortages, rising production costs, profitability concerns, and the increasing effects of climate change. These challenges make it more important than ever for growers to have access to accurate information and innovative tools that can improve farm management.
"The challenges faced by our vegetable growers are complex, but innovation can provide practical solutions. By continuing to invest in innovative projects, we are paving the way for a more sustainable, competitive and prosperous future for the sector,” said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
The Government of Canada is supporting innovation in agriculture by investing in new technologies that help farmers improve efficiency and sustainability. A new project aimed at lettuce production will provide growers with advanced tools to make better decisions, increase productivity, and reduce production challenges.
The government announced an investment of up to $497,562 for the Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec (APMQ) through the AgriScience Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The funding will support the development of a modern Decision Support System (DSS) designed specifically for lettuce growers.
The new DSS will combine forecasted weather information with crop data collected under commercial growing conditions. The system will use information gathered through a remote sensing technology developed by researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, along with data from VegForecast, a commercial crop intelligence platform created by Canadian agtech company Innoptech.
By bringing together weather forecasts and crop monitoring information, the system will help growers better understand crop growth and make timely management decisions. Farmers will be able to use the information to improve planning, optimize harvest timing, and increase overall production efficiency.
One of the key goals of the project is to help growers address labor challenges. With more accurate crop predictions and harvest forecasts, producers can better allocate resources and reduce operational costs. Improved planning can also help reduce food waste by ensuring crops are harvested at the right time.
The project will involve close collaboration with local producers. Growers will provide practical feedback that can help improve the predictive tools and ensure they meet the needs of commercial farming operations. This partnership between researchers, technology providers, and producers is expected to create solutions that are both practical and effective.
"This project is a prime example of how technology can empower our local vegetable growers to overcome labour shortages, improve profitability and compete in a global market. I’m proud to see Quebec’s agricultural community leading the way in innovation,”said Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, Quebec.
Government officials say investing in agricultural innovation is essential for the long-term success of the sector. New technologies can help producers remain competitive in both domestic and international markets while responding to changing environmental and economic conditions.
The APMQ welcomed the investment and highlighted the importance of innovation for improving productivity and competitiveness in the vegetable industry. The organization believes the project will create valuable opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing within the sector. The organization manages Place des producteurs, the largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Eastern Canada.
More than 70% of Quebec's vegetable production comes from APMQ members, making the organization a major contributor to the province's agricultural industry.
The project also builds on research already completed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Researchers have developed a decision-making tool that uses drone imagery to analyze lettuce growth and predict optimal harvest dates.
The technology can provide harvest forecasts at least two weeks in advance under commercial growing conditions, giving farmers more time to plan operations effectively.
“The APMQ enthusiastically welcomes any opportunity to push innovation in agriculture, where productivity and competitiveness issues are crucial. We would like to thank Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its commitment to knowledge development, and we are confident that other opportunities for collaboration will emerge in the near future.” said Catherine Lefebvre, President, Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec.
Photo Credit: Pexels – Mark Stebnicki