Precision Agriculture Research Program

International Seminar


Sustainable Smart Farming/Precision Agriculture
March 15-16, 2018

Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Dalhousie University,
Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 4Z3
Canada

Sustainable Smart Farming to Increase Farm Profitability and Protect Environment – The Need of 21st Century

The Precision Agriculture Research Program will host a two day seminar on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus on March 15 – 16, 2017.  Workshop participants will include individuals from government, high value crop producers, processors, academia, private agricultural machinery companies, engineers and non-governmental organizations that work on or interested in the sustainable development and adoption of smart precision agriculture technologies. 

This Seminar will take place at an important time as Dalhousie University will celebrate its 200th anniversary and begin a third century of teaching, research and service.

Sustainable Smart Farming (also known as Precision Agriculture) helps farmers to make production systems more efficient to reduce cost of production. The implementation of practical smart agriculture technologies which will allow corrective cultural practices on an as-needed basis maximize farm profitability, minimize environmental impacts and ultimately led to a more sustainable industry.

With an overall goal to advance the sustainable development and adoption of smart precision agriculture technologies in Atlantic Canada, he focus will be on how to integrate these technologies into current production systems so proper management decisions can be made to improve crop productivity and reduce agrochemical use.  This workshop/seminar will facilitate the opportunity to create needed research collaborations for the Precision Agriculture Research Program at DAL-AC.  Collaborations with industry, academia and government personnel would play a pivotal role in the development of this sector in Atlantic Canada. Precision agriculture has the potential to make a significant difference to the viability of the agricultural sector, provide new economic opportunities, and provide food security to Atlantic Canada. 

Seminar Objectives

  • To learn about the collective experience of smart precision agriculture technologies, in particular what has been successful in comparable jurisdictions of North America
  • To provide a networking/learning opportunity for seminar participants
  • To address the economic and environmental issues associated with the development and adoption of precision agriculture technologies
  • To study the potential commercialization opportunities for smart farming technologies
  • To provide regulatory officials with the most current information on best practices for this emerging sector

Background

The precision agriculture research program at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Dalhousie University (DAL-AC) led by Dr. Qamar Zaman integrates agrochemical, technological and ecological approaches to develop an innovative approach to site-specific crop management for high value crops. To date the wild blueberry, grape and wine industry, tree crops and potato industry has been heavily involved in this research program.  The program has been successful in attracting and retaining HQP at DAL-AC. All HQP work on the scientific principles and applications of variable rate technologies, and have the opportunity to interact with industry and government at various levels. The resources and capabilities of this research program have created a unique world-class program that does not exist elsewhere in eastern Canada. Dr. Zaman and his research group wish to develop further research collaborations with academia and industry (regional, national and international) to improve the financial resources available for infrastructure and technical support required to test smart farming technologies.

Tentative Program

March 15, 2018

2:00 – 3:00 PM                 Arrival of the guests

3:00 – 4:00 PM                 Demonstration of Precision Agriculture Technologies

Location: Banting Building, 39 Cox Road, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Truro

4:00 – 5:00 PM                 Reception + Early Registration

Location: Alumni Theatre, Cumming Hall, 62, Cumming Drive, DAL-AC

5:00 – 7:00 PM               Banquet and Keynote Speaker

Location: Jenkins Hall, DAL-AC

March 16, 2018

8:30 – 9:00 AM                Registration, Location: Alumni Theatre, DAL-AC

9:00 - 9:15 AM                Opening Remarks

9:15-9:45AM                   Framing the Opportunity

Speaker I

Speaker II

Speaker III

9:45 - 10:15AM                Nutrition Break

View Posters - Location: Alumni Theatre, DAL-AC

10:15AM - 12:15 PM      Research and Technology Development

Speaker I

Speaker II

Speaker III

Speaker IV

12:15 - 1:15 PM               Networking Lunch

Location: Jenkins Hall, DAL-AC

1:15 - 2:45 PM                Precision Agriculture from Industry Perspective

Speaker – Wild Blueberry Producers Association Representative

Speaker – Fruit Growers Association Representative

Speaker – Potato Grower

Speaker – Agri. Machinery Manufacturer

Speaker – Industry Liaison Officer/Director Commercialization

2:45- 3:15 PM              Coffee Break

View Posters - Location: Alumni Theatre, DAL-AC

3:15- 4:00 PM               Panel Discussion -PA Technology Development and Adoption

4:00 – 4:30 PM            Summary Panel

The way forward short summaries from selected speakers and question, answers / discussion

4:30 – 4:45 PM           Closing Remarks

Contacts

Contacts:
Dr. Qamar Zaman
Professor
Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture
qzaman@dal.ca

Dr. G Christopher Cutler
Professor and Associate Dean Research
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
chris.cutler@dal.ca

Colette Wyllie
Dean’s Office
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
Colette.Wyllie@Dal.Ca