Engineering a robot to harvest tomatoes, making microplastic-free green composites and using responsible artificial intelligence are among more than 40 University of Guelph agri-food research projects receiving more than $7 million in new funding from the Government of Ontario.

This funding will support U of G research that delivers solutions for Ontario’s farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities

A total of 44 research projects that drive economic development, protect animal health and welfare and support sustainable, homegrown food will be funded through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the province, the University of Guelph and Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO).

U of G-led research delivers agri-food innovation

The Alliance leverages U of G’s leadership in agriculture and veterinary sciences to deliver practical innovations for farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities. Every year, more than 240 academic experts are directly involved in research projects supported by the Alliance.

“The University of Guelph brings unparalleled expertise to deliver solutions for Ontario’s agri-food sector,” said Dr. Rene Van Acker, vice-president of research and innovation at U of G. “With this investment, we will continue to train the next generation of agri-food leaders while supporting a safe and healthy food supply for Ontarians.”

Research projects are funded by the Government of Ontario, part of the province’s commitment to support Ontario’s $48.8-billion agri-food sector.

“We have a number of ambitious goals for our industry, and this funding will play a key role in converting our world-class research and innovation into practical solutions to drive economic success,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “In helping farmers and agri-food businesses leverage the latest research advancements, products, and innovations to strengthen their operations, we are positioning the entire agriculture and food industry for long-term sustainability and growth.”

Projects will take place in labs and fields across the province, including Ontario’s agri-food research centres, a network of 13 U of G-managed sites that provide a state-of-the-art testing ground for agri-food research and innovators.

“Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario is pleased to be a partner in the development of the high-impact research that comes from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance,” said Lorne Hepworth, chair of ARIO. “It is innovative research like this that positions the agri-food industry to stay on the cutting edge of best production practices and implement new technologies and techniques that will increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the agri-food sector.”

Project examples include:

• Developing a harvesting robot for tomato greenhouses; and automation and autonomy for growing strawberry in greenhouses – Dr. Medhat Moussa, School of Engineering

• Enabling responsible AI-driven agri-food innovation in Ontario – Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development

• Microplastic-free green composites as single-use plastic alternatives – Dr. Amar Mohanty, Department of Plant Agriculture

• Dietary supplementation to improve growth and genetics of rainbow trout – Dr. David Huyben, Department of Animal Biosciences

• Low-cost bio-graphene made from agricultural residues for electric batteries – Dr. Manjusri Misra, School of Engineering

• Progressing towards dairy calves resilient to heat stress – Dr. Trevor DeVries, Department of Animal Biosciences

The Alliance brings together academia, government and industry to support Ontario’s agri-food sector with cutting-edge research and innovation, training and laboratory services. The Alliance increases Ontario’s GDP by $1.4 billion each year, has an annual economic impact of $120 million and supports more than 1,300 jobs.