Congratulations to Jean Caron and His Team
18 February 2016
Recipients of the Synergy Prize for Innovation from NSERC
On February 16, a research team led by professor Jean Caron, from the Department of Soils and Agri-food Engineering, and its industry partners received the Synergy Award for Innovation in the category “Partnership with two or more companies.” The distinction, awarded annually by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), recognizes examples of collaboration that stand as a model of effective partnership between industry and colleges or universities.
Professor Caron received the award for his work on the development of a soil irrigation system for vegetable production allowing for real-time monitoring of the water needs of vegetable crops. The system developed by Professor Caron and his partners increases Romaine lettuce yields by as much as 40% and enhances the efficiency of water and energy use associated with irrigation by 15% to 25%. Its application will be extended to other crops such as spinach, mesclun (spring mix), corn and potatoes.
Mr. Caron will receive the Synergy Award in the company of representatives of the industry partners involved in the project: Jean-Paul Guérin (Maraichers J.P.L. Guérin et fils Inc.), Daniel Malenfant, FSAA graduate (Vert Nature Inc.), Denys Van Winden (Production horticole Van Winden), Jean-Bernard Van Winden, FSAA graduate (Fermes Hotte et Van Winden Inc.) and Stéphane Van Winden (Delfland Inc.).
The award includes a $200,000 research grant from NSERC for Jean Caron. Industrial partners will each receive a $30,000 voucher valid toward the cash portion of their required contribution in a new Collaborative Research and Development Grant (CRD).
Visit the NSERC website to learn more and to watch a short video about the project.Read the article published in Le Fil, February 18 2016 [in French only]