Digital management solutions for farmers, the mysteries of how species interact, and the use of One Health data to understand health traits are among the project activities of three newly announced Canada Research Chairs (CRC) at the University of Guelph.
This investment is part of more than $638 million in federal funding; $182 million will support 224 new and renewed CRCs. The announcement was made by Yasir Naqvi, Ottawa Centre MP and parliamentary secretary to the minister of health, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science, and industry.
U of G's three awardees are as follows:
Dr. Asim Biswas, School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), will hold a new Tier 1 Chair in Digital Agriculture. With this CRC, Biswas will also receive $150,000 in joint funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
Dr. Xin Zhou will hold a new Tier 1 Chair in Eukaryote Biodiversity Genomics. Zhou will join the University as a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science (CBS) in early 2025.
Dr. Elif Acar, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences(CEPS) will hold a new Tier 2 Chair in One Health Approaches to Statistical Modelling.
Tier 1 Chairs, recognized as global leaders in their fields, receive $200,000 annually for seven years. Tier 2 Chairs, recognized as exceptional emerging leaders in their fields, receive $120,000 annually for five years. The CRC program helps Canadian post-secondary institutions attract and retain outstanding researchers in various fields, fostering institutional excellence in research and training.
Dr. Asim Biswas, CRC in Digital Agriculture
Biswas aims to develop smart farming solutions, including advanced digital tools and sensors, that will help farmers optimize resource use and reduce costs while lowering the environmental impact of their operations.
Dr. Asim Biswas
"This research program represents a crucial step forward in modernizing our agricultural practices," says Biswas. "With the support of the CRC program, we will develop innovative solutions that help farmers make more informed decisions about their land management. Our goal is to increase productivity while reducing the environmental footprint of farming operations."
Biswas says sensor-driven measurements are more affordable and less resource-intensive than traditional methods, and digital sensors can generate large datasets quickly and inexpensively. By taking a technology-driven approach, farmers can harness the power of data to make more precise decisions about crop management, soil health, and resource utilization.
The program will leverage integrated soil sensing – using sensors to monitor soil conditions – and digital soil mapping – creating detailed maps of soil properties across a landscape – to determine variations in soil carbon, pH, moisture content, texture, nutrient levels, and more across different geographic locations.
Characterizing soil variability allows farmers to manage production areas according to their unique needs. For example, determining how much water and fertilizer a crop field requires based on soil characteristics allows farmers to make informed decisions that minimize waste and maximize yield and harvest quality.
The program will also integrate other technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to create comprehensive farming management systems.
Source: University of Guelph