Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
$25,000.00
Development of an Automated and Adaptable Novel Irrigation System for Greenhouse Expansion to_x000d_ Efficiently meet the Water and Nutrient Needs of Various Tree and Plant Species
EF 2020-21
Résumé
A Canadian company founded in 2010, Native Trees and Plants (NTP) is a pioneer in producing native plants for sale in the southwestern Ontario region. Presently, NTP has built a 3rd greenhouse that will triple their current output to over 5000 ft2 of greenhouse space along with 1000 ft2 of outdoor growing space. Although, due to the size of the new greenhouse it is not possible to efficiently water all the plants that it will contain using their current methods. In addition, a standard greenhouse irrigation system is not sufficient as NTP has many different species with varied water and nutrient needs, and currently there is not a product on the market that will meet these needs. Therefore, NTP has decided to develop and adapt a greenhouse irrigation system to meet these requirements. However, NTP also requires expertise in the instrumentation, control, and automation to properly control the developed system, as well as proper programming, hardware and software, and training to complete the adaptable overhead irrigation system.
The collaborative project with Lambton College and NTP will focus on developing an overhead greenhouse irrigation system that is automated and adaptable to a variety of different plant types, sizes, and layouts. The success of the project has the potential to deploy the solution on a commercial scale to sell units across Canada, as well as double NTP output of native trees and plants. Depending on specific customer needs and market growth, annual sales could range from 15-30 units per year, roughly equating to $225,000-$450,000 per year in annual revenues. The new irrigation system will positively benefit customers that use overhead irrigation through reduced water usage, increased growth, and decreased incidence of disease due to better water management and savings on infrastructure costs. It is also estimated to generate 2-3 additional full-time positions in the short-term and an estimated additional 3 full-time positions in the next 2-4 years.
Programme
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
561013-2020
Name nom
Sheikhzadeh, Mehdi
Department département
Head Office
Organization id
26621
Institution établissement
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2020
Award amount
25000
Program id
CARD1
Program name en
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée - niveau 1
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1561
Committee name en
Applied Research and Development Grants
Committee name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée
Area of application code
103
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Plant production and plant primary products
Area of application fr
Production végétale et produits végétaux primaires
Research subject code
1201
Research subject group en
Agricultural engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie rural
Research subject en
Irrigation
Research subject fr
Irrigation
Installment
inst:1 - 1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Development of an Automated and Adaptable Novel Irrigation System for Greenhouse Expansion to_x000d_
Efficiently meet the Water and Nutrient Needs of Various Tree and Plant Species
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
A Canadian company founded in 2010, Native Trees and Plants (NTP) is a pioneer in producing native plants for sale in the southwestern Ontario region. Presently, NTP has built a 3rd greenhouse that will triple their current output to over 5000 ft2 of greenhouse space along with 1000 ft2 of outdoor growing space. Although, due to the size of the new greenhouse it is not possible to efficiently water all the plants that it will contain using their current methods. In addition, a standard greenhouse irrigation system is not sufficient as NTP has many different species with varied water and nutrient needs, and currently there is not a product on the market that will meet these needs. Therefore, NTP has decided to develop and adapt a greenhouse irrigation system to meet these requirements. However, NTP also requires expertise in the instrumentation, control, and automation to properly control the developed system, as well as proper programming, hardware and software, and training to complete the adaptable overhead irrigation system.
The collaborative project with Lambton College and NTP will focus on developing an overhead greenhouse irrigation system that is automated and adaptable to a variety of different plant types, sizes, and layouts. The success of the project has the potential to deploy the solution on a commercial scale to sell units across Canada, as well as double NTP output of native trees and plants. Depending on specific customer needs and market growth, annual sales could range from 15-30 units per year, roughly equating to $225,000-$450,000 per year in annual revenues. The new irrigation system will positively benefit customers that use overhead irrigation through reduced water usage, increased growth, and decreased incidence of disease due to better water management and savings on infrastructure costs. It is also estimated to generate 2-3 additional full-time positions in the short-term and an estimated additional 3 full-time positions in the next 2-4 years.
