(Napierville ) The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced on Friday the allocation of aid of 2.7 million to support Quebec agricultural businesses wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.
Four companies will receive a boost to finance the installation of clean technologies that will allow them to reduce their energy balance.
To make the announcement, Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau visited a ten-storey vertical hydroponic farm powered by rainwater that was able to benefit from the same federal program last year.
“Our vision is agriculture that is ever more sustainable in Canada. Our government wants to help agricultural businesses become more productive and resilient by reducing energy bills and carbon footprints,” she said at a press briefing after touring the facilities.
The company, which has been producing leafy greens since last fall, received $846,625 to install an 11,000 sq. ft. indoor farming system2 powered by LED lighting.
Solange Duteau and Sylvain Coallier, who ran a vegetable export business for 20 years, recently converted their warehouse into a fully robotized indoor farm.
A 100% automated vertical farm
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The hydroponic system is powered by a snow and rainwater harvesting system that can store 45,000 gallons. The water is purified using a system of UV lamps.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Lettuces, bok choy and basil: all leafy greens are picked by robots. The company has 21. For intellectual property issues, it is not yet possible to publicly broadcast images of these robot harvesters.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The vegetables are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Guillaume Coallier, who is involved in the family business with his two brothers and his sister, points out that the leaves grow thanks to a lighting system of 8,200 LED lamps. They give off enough heat to heat the warehouse.
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PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The president of the Union of Agricultural Producers, Martin Caron, said he was impressed by his visit in the company of Federal Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau.
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“Inspiring”
The president of the Union des producteurs agricole (UPA), Martin Caron, visited the facilities in the company of Mr.me Bibeau. He described the project as “inspiring”. “They will be able to harvest 15 crops a year,” he said.
“When we talk about food autonomy, food security, local markets, we can’t get better than that. When we invest in projects like this, we invest in the pantry of Canadians and Quebecers at the same time,” he noted.
Sylvain Coallier also estimates that GSPM Distribution is able to grow 99,000 plants per harvest.
We save in GHGs a truckload per week of products from California and which travels 5000 km. And it’s green, renewable energy from Quebec.
Sylvain Coallier, from GSMM Distribution
Since the launch of the Clean Technologies in Agriculture (TPA) program, 18 Quebec companies have received financial support, totaling $6.7 million.
Among the projects announced on Friday is that of the firm Entosystem. The Drummondville company will receive $2 million for the purchase of energy-efficient equipment to increase the efficiency of its insect-based fertilizer and animal feed production system.
Another example: Ferme Macna, in Saint-François-du-Lac, will receive nearly $105,000 for the installation of an energy-efficient ventilation system and an LED lighting system in its dairy barn.
Ultimately, 495.7 million will be allocated to the TPA program.
“The number one goal is to reduce emissions,” says Ms.me Bibeau. Then, she adds, the goal is to create demand for advanced green technologies. “It will increase the development of innovation and it will eventually reduce prices. If we increase the demand, it comes to give a boost, if you will, with regard to these new technologies. »