The federal and Ontario governments have invested more than $300,000 in the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) in order for them to increase capacity and productivity in the horticultural sector, the government says in a news release on March 18.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), the funding for each project will be used to purchase specialized equipment to improve the research capabilities that will benefit Ontario’s greenhouse sector, the release says. Research will focus on improving harvesting and storage practices, as well as inventory tracking and improvements to biosecurity and COVID-19 protocols.
“Agri-food research leads to exciting new products and practices while increasing efficiency and competitiveness across the sector,” Ernie Hardeman, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, says in the release. “Our government is investing in agri-food research as part of our commitment to prosperous, competitive and sustainable agriculture in Ontario.”
VRIC will also study urban planting initiatives which will identify the best varieties of trees to plant for urban environments and streetscapes, the release notes.
