Greenhouse Canada

News
Feds invest $1.4M in pesticide alternatives

August 20, 2019  By Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (edited)


Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of over $1.4 million to the Mirabel Agri-Food Research Center (CRAM) Photo by: AAFC via Twitter

A federal investment of over $1.4 million was announced to help develop alternative approaches to pesticide use for Canadian fruit and vegetable greenhouse growers.

Made through the AgriScience program of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the investment was made to non-profit Mirabel Agri-Food Research Center (CRAM).

The project will focus on 12 activities to explore alternative tools and practices for the use of pesticides in greenhouse fruit and vegetable production. Grouped under four themes (physical control, biological control, biodiversity and genetics), these methods will help producers reduce the impact of pesticides on the environment, reduce crop damage and optimize control methods to increase production and profitability.

Advertisement

RELATED


“Canadian farm businesses are facing growing issues related to climate change, pests and chemicals that have a negative impact on the environment,” says Caroline Provost, director and research scientist at CRAM. “The various challenges faced by producers are sometimes difficult to overcome, and alternatives must be explored to ensure the productivity and profitability of the agricultural industry, while reducing environmental impacts. This project brings together several activities offering solutions as alternatives to pesticides in fruit and greenhouse production in the context of climate change. It will also allow the development of biological control agents that could be produced and marketed in Canada.”

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.


Print this page

Advertisement

Stories continue below