The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada is working with the University of Windsor to develop strategies to address challenges facing the greenhouse vegetable sector.
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to research methods for energy resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.
“This collaboration with the University of Windsor highlights the innovation that characterizes Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers,” said Marcus Janzen, FVGC president. “Now more than ever we need smart food policies that strengthen food security, drive economic growth, and support the resilience of Canadian agriculture.”
The University’s Agriculture UWindsor (AgUWin) project will research new technologies and offer new educational programming to support the sector.
“The University of Windsor’s extensive expertise in automation, energy, industrial engineering, and talent development lends itself extremely well to solving complex agricultural challenges,” says Shanthi Johnson, UWindsor vice-president, research and innovation. “The partnership will help to embed the express and real needs of the sector into the University’s educational programming and research pipeline.”
According to the Greenhouse Vegetable Working Group, the greenhouse vegetable growers in Canada contribute $4.8 billion to Canada's economy annually. Essex County is home to the largest acreages of greenhouse agriculture in North America.
