Ontario Greenhouse growers innovate

They include:

-  Allegro Acres Inc. is receiving $999,345 to test the impact of up to 24 hours of continuous, low-intensity lighting on a commercial scale, which will reduce electricity consumption during peak hours and improve energy efficiency in greenhouse vegetable production.

-  Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers is receiving $149,634 to develop a cost-effective anti-viral coating technology to treat tools and surfaces to reduce the spread of plant and human viruses in greenhouses, including COVID-19. 

-  Great Lakes Greenhouses Inc is receiving $547,720 to use artificial intelligence to develop an autonomous grower technology that will enhance environmental sustainability, accelerate transition to year-round production, support crop diversification and improve long-term resiliency and competitiveness of the sector. The technology will allow greenhouse operators to remotely grow cucumbers and eggplant crops, reducing in-person contact and allowing them to manage more sites remotely.

-  Flowers Canada is receiving $89,013 to help the greenhouse sector optimize dehumidification systems to achieve energy recovery savings and improve successful plant production at greenhouse floriculture operations.

"Our growers take great pride in their responsibility to produce safe, sustainable local products and the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for resilient local agriculture production that puts the health and well-being of employees and our farm families first.  Today's (January 27) announcement advances our ability to do that," said Jan VanderHout, president of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance. 

Photo Courtesy of The Grower

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs January 27, 2021 news release via The Grower

Source: The Grower