$2.5M supports agricultural research at Vineland centre

Vineland Station, OB – The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has received $2.5 million from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to support two research projects.

Just over $1.4 million funding will be used to modernize the centre’s rose breeding program using state-of-the-art DNA fingerprinting technology to develop cold hardy, black spot resistant rose varieties.

And just over $1.1 million will support research into increasing seasonal field production of oriental long eggplants and okra, evaluate the use of greenhouse technologies, and develop sweet potato varieties adapted to Canadian conditions. The project is intended to boost domestic production of these exotic vegetables.

“We thank our federal government partners for their continued confidence in Vineland.

“This financial support enhances our research on hardy Canadian roses, sweet potatoes and world crops and supports impactful results for the industry,” says Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.