On July 7, 2021, federal parliamentary secretary Neil Ellis announced funding of nearly $4 million to support four horticultural research projects at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland).

Through the federal AgriScience Program, up to $1.8 million will be invested to support Vineland’s on-the-vine breeding program for greenhouse tomatoes, which is the first of its kind in Canada. The program focuses on developing high-yield varieties with improved flavour and production traits that are adapted to Canada’s climate. 

Vineland will also receive up to $877,000 to help make Canadian roses more disease resistant and adaptive, so that they may reach more domestic and international markets. 

A further $931,000 will support the Centre’s work to discover and evaluate new biocontrol solutions to advance research on pest management for the Canadian greenhouse sector. These projects are also supported through the AgriScience Program.

The fourth project will help Vineland ramp up the conversion of horticultural waste into value-added ingredients in Canada. Up to $200,000 will be provided for the project through the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program.

These investments build on a March 18, 2021, announcement from the governments of Canada and Ontario of more than $330,000 to support Vineland research projects that will benefit Ontario’s greenhouse sector, which will increase capacity and productivity in the horticultural sector.

 Source:  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada July 7, 2021 news release