Grant: CCI Mobilize Grants

In Northern Ontario, agriculture, aquaculture, and food processing are priority sectors, actively contributing to regional economic growth and diversification. Despite a rising interest among consumer for fresh and locally grown produce, producers and agri-businesses face specific challenges and barriers including, but not limited to difficult environmental conditions exacerbated by climate change, lack of crop/economic diversification, insufficient infrastructure and support services, labour shortages and declining demographics. To address these challenges and support emerging innovations and workforce objectives in these sectors, Collège Boréal is seeking to enhance and expand its established applied research strengths in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and biodiversity. Leveraging support for agricultural and horticultural productivity, as well as environmental sustainability, the college aims to enhance student success and entrepreneurship, develop, and optimize creative and sustainable innovations, and cultivate healthy and accessible environments. The knowledge and innovation outputs generated from the proposed applied research program are essential to building and maintaining a vibrant economy in Northern Ontario.