The future of innovation in agriculture and how horticulture is leading the way

Transcription

1 The future of innovation in agriculture and how horticulture is leading the way

2 History The Age of Mechanization ( ) The Age of Chemistry ( ) The Age of Abundance ( s) The Age of Biology (1990 s and on)... ag-innovation sustains our species...

3 History Experimental Farm Stations Act (E-16) 1886 Established for the purpose of evaluating merits of crop varieties, preventing diseases, understanding fertilizers, etc. Peaked in the late 1970 s with over 1200 scientists at AAFC alone, now at ~500 despite growth in the industry Government may have the responsibility for research and innovation for agriculture, but should they continue to deliver it? We need to build a new system that takes us though the next 100 years and provides significant ROI

4 Why change? Horticulture products are essential for a healthy vibrant society Major driver of Canada s agricultural economy Heath and nutrition, exercise and positive lifestyles Food sovereignty is essential for any nation Changing the innovation system is essential in order to: Align innovation capability with consumer desires and industry needs Defragment existing innovation capability and link it into innovation pipelines Speed innovation programs to match product cycles Support the strategic shifts necessary to drive industry forward Better Potential Results Growth & success in the Canadian horticulture industry, Jobs, Food security, Environmental sustainability

5 Innovation: The Ontario Advantage In horticulture, we are not a low cost producer Innovation is our advantage but... Innovation in horticulture is fragmented, Public R&D investment is dropping Vineland provides a point of convergence For industry, for academia, for government Agricultural prosperity = Successful Greenbelt

6 Horticulture in Niagara Region 2007 farm cash receipts in Niagara Floriculture, nursery, sod $242 million Fruit $108.2 million Greenhouse vegetables 23.8 million >1200 flower greenhouse vegetable and fruit farms in Niagara (57% of all farms in Ontario) > 65% of Ontario s tender fruit orchards >85% of provincial grape production >80% of provincial peach production Greenhouse industry employs over 3000 people Grape and wine sector generate approximately 6000 jobs

7 Vineland The Core Breakthrough Commercialization Private Sector Vineland Use partnering and a range of business models to deliver research outcomes Research Public Sector Competing Models Creative Resolution

8 The People

9 Vineland s Partnerships

10 Catalyzing partnerships to grow horticulture Isolation Model Connection Model Staff Suppliers Gov t University Industry The lab is my world The world is my lab

11 Focus for Innovation To grow the horticulture industry by adding value to products and decreasing costs of production. Research Goals Expand markets through product innovation Drive down production costs in horticulture Delivering the economic, health and environmental benefits of horticulture Safeguard horticultural crops against environmental stress

12 Principles Idea Invention Innovation Right Customer Consumer Concept Concept Partnerships Right Science & Scientific Partnerships Right Commercial Partnership Enhanced attributes for enhanced consumer experience Concept resonates with consumers and warrants premium Enough economic potential to engage commercialization partnership Right nature and mix of sciences applied to increase probability of success Right partners with right scientific resources External validation of the science Right partners with full line of sight to the consumer market. Partners offer maximum market potential Partners mitigate each others commercial risks. Clear Outcomes and Max Impact

13 World s Healthiest Mushroom Mushroom Producer Campbell s Soup Grocery Consumers Healthy Food

14 Feeding Diversity Ontario 9.3% 4.8% Quebec British Columbia Alberta 16.0% 17.5% 52.4% Rest of Canada Canada = 1,109,980 new immigrants

15 Breeding of Landscape Roses (Canadian Nursery Landscape Association) Disease resistance - # 1 priority Unparalleled cold hardiness Difficult colors Clean, glossy, leathery foliage Fragrance Cross hybridizations in ,300 Releasing 1-2 PBR protected cultivars/year 15

16 That Plane Can Fly! I love this pear. Mike Ecker, General Manager, Vineland Growers Co-op

17 Cold comfort for Canadian crops Raytheon + Vineland Co-development venture between microwave inventors and tender fruit and vine experts Frost and winter kill are major contributors to crop loss in the world (>$9B) Market size in US and Canada is > $350M Early results are promising

18 Title Setting Automation in horticulture We need to leverage capabilities in the manufacturing sector Sub-headline and develop advanced technologies for horticulture that reduce costs. Horticulture: Greater profit margins for producers Rural communities Food security Manufacturing Products with worldwide demand Diversification and stability Growth for SME s Production Costs

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