PhD student Haleh Nazemi and engineering professor Arezoo Emadi in the lab where they work to develop portable gas sensors that detect volatile organic compounds emitted by pathogens.Supplied
Agtech revolution at the University of Windsor shaping the future of sustainable food production
In the heart of Canada’s greenhouse country, Windsor-Essex County is growing into a global agriculture technology powerhouse, nurtured by University of Windsor research that is shaping the future of food.
Canada’s agricultural industry has undergone a significant transformation, thanks to the role of technological advancements addressing challenges such as food security and sustainability. Windsor-Essex, home to the largest concentration of greenhouses outside the Netherlands, has become a hub for agricultural research, bringing together academics and industry experts to revolutionize the agtech industry.
Research and innovation of the University of Windsor’s AgUWin initiative aim to ensure the greenhouse sector remains sustainable and cutting-edge. AgUWin supports collaboration among growers, farmers, retailers and other industry partners, focusing on developing new technologies and methods to make growing food safer, more efficient and reliable.
Isabelle Barrette-Ng, as co-director of AgUWin, is leading research into the most pressing issues facing the agtech sector. Her team is creating educational programs to close the widening skills gap in Canada’s agtech industry, arming workers with an understanding of intellectual property, entrepreneurship and energy management.
“We’ve got a number of skills here – 21 different skills, ranging from environmental sustainability to wildlife habitat development, energy systems and intellectual property,” Dr. Barrette-Ng explains.
AgUWin co-director Rupp Carriveau, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Windsor, has devoted more than a decade to collaborations with the agricultural sector.
“We started working in water but soon found huge needs in energy,” says Dr. Carriveau.
Since then, his team’s research has expanded, securing funding from organizations such as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Agricultural Adaptation Council, Weston, Mitacs, the Greenhouse Technology Network and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to explore renewable and nuclear energy, additive manufacturing and microgrid architectures in agriculture.
“We can do the research, build the relationships, and develop the training – making Windsor a hub for agricultural innovation.
Rupp Carriveau
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Windsor and Co-Director of Agriculture UWindsor (AgUWin)
Dr. Carriveau has long envisioned an integrated educational framework for agriculture professionals. Recently, he proposed a Greenhouse Research Network, which aims to offer a multi-institutional certificate program. With Dr. Barrette-Ng’s expertise in curriculum development, this vision is becoming reality.
“We can do the research, build the relationships and develop the training – making Windsor a hub for agricultural innovation,” says Dr. Carriveau.
Fellow UWindsor engineering professor Shahpour Alirezaee is employing advanced computer-vision and machine-learning technologies to develop robotic pollinators capable of precisely identifying and targeting flowers. These automated pollinators would reduce manual labour and improve production.
“This technology enhances crop yields and quality, directly contributing to food security,” Dr. Alirezaee explains.
Another project focuses on pest control in greenhouses.
PhD student Haleh Nazemi manages a lab under engineering professor Arezoo Emadi that is developing an “electronic nose” to detect pests. It relies on portable gas sensors that detect volatile organic compounds emitted by pathogens. The sensors have the potential to revolutionize pest management, allowing for early detection and more efficient intervention before problems escalate.
“The goal is to give experts the ability to investigate specific areas of concern without contaminating the entire greenhouse,” Ms. Nazemi says.
Agtech research at the University of Windsor comes at a time when Canada’s agriculture industry is at a crossroads, says Tom Schnekenburger, UWindsor’s director of research partnerships. “With a growing population and increasing demand for food security, it is essential to equip the workforce with the skills and tools they need to sustain the sector’s growth,” he says. “That is why these collaborations are crucial.”
At Jem Farms, a greenhouse complex in the heart of Essex County, director Paul J Mastronardi highlights the significance of collaborating with the University of Windsor and industry professionals. The greenhouse sector extends far beyond traditional farming, he says.
“In the greenhouse sector, we’re engaging with a wide range of professionals, from engineers to researchers, across various categories and studies. This work is revealing just how many different industries we influence,” he explains. “It’s not just about farming. The greenhouse industry touches many sectors, from technology and engineering to environmental science.”
He adds, “The University of Windsor has been very responsive and excited about the direction we’re heading. They see the opportunities, and that’s what makes the long-term potential so exciting.”
Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s Editorial Department was not involved.
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