On Monday, the Government of Ontario announced a $1.3-million investment in University of Guelph research to help fruit, vegetable and field crop farmers boost productivity and profitability.

Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the investment will fund research aimed at developing new practices and on-farm solutions to prevent and control crop diseases and pests and improve production, according to a government news release.

Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman made the announcement, calling plant diseases difficult to control and expensive for farmers.

“By giving crop farmers up-to-date information and tools, they can make better decisions to sustain and improve crop health and productivity,” he said.

The U of G research projects funded include:

Surveillance for blight management decisions in field tomatoes

Investigating the threat of onion thrips to greenhouse floriculture pest management programs

Developing approaches to combat fusarium disease in wheat

Assessing management in sugar beets to reduce crop disease

Investigating production of a year-round supply of high-quality potatoes for Ontario

Improving grape rootstock to prevent winter losses in sensitive areas.

“Our researchers are committed to delivering solutions and opportunities across the agricultural sector, fulfilling our promise to improve life,” said Malcolm Campbell, vice-president (research).

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is a collaboration between the Ontario government and the University of Guelph that helps the province’s agri-food and rural sectors grow and innovate.