Sherrington, April 24th 2019 – The CLD des Jardins-de-Napierville is thrilled to announce a visit from representatives of Laval University, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec in the region to announce the creation of the $11.2 million NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Conservation and Restoration of Cultivated Organic Soils.
It is no accident that the produce growers of the Jardins-de-Napierville area decided to involve themselves in this research chair. As a matter of fact, local farmers are recognized for their exceptional mobilization when it comes to the development and the adoption of best agricultural practices. Farmer mobilization allowed the creation of regional initiatives such as La Mouche Rose from CONSORTIUM PRISME. This mobilization also led to the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Pest Management (PELI), overseen by the CLD des Jardins-de-Napierville, who’s role is to promote alternatives to the use of pesticides.
“The RCM is proud of the undertaking shown by its producers in this initiative. They demonstrate once more that our region is a leader in the field of agriculture” said Paul Viau, Warden of the Jardins-de-Napierville RCM and President of the CLD des Jardins-de-Napierville.
Michel Charbonneau, general manager of the CLD des Jardins-de-Napierville, states that “based on this longstanding agro-environmental engagement, it was natural to collaborate on other large-scale projects. This research chair led by Prof. Jean Caron represents a great opportunity to extend our network with the goal of helping farmers that rethink their practices with the future in mind.”
Improvements to current cultivation methods will emerge from this research chair. The PELI is determined to promote these new practices through its Agrobonsens information platform. Thus, the PELI will incite farmers to cultivate with their “gros bon sens”, which encompasses both pesticide reduction and soil preservation.
“Best agricultural practices that preserve the environment are at the heart of our online repository Agrobonsens.com. The PELI’s mission is to promote best practices, including those to be developed through this research chair” says Isabelle Matteau, coordinator of the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Pest Management (PELI).
About the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Pest Management (PELI): Overseen by the CLD des Jardins-de-Napierville, its mission is to promote and widely diffuse information on integrated pest management, a repertoire of best practices aiming to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture.
The PELI is funded by the Government of Québec (MAPAQ), the Jardins-de-Napierville RCM and the Quebec Produce Growers Association.
Source:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Pest Management – Pôle d’excellence en lutte intégrée (PELI) For more information:
Nicolas Chatel-Launay | Research Officer, Centre of Excellence for Integrated Pest Management n.chatel@cld-jardinsdenapierville.com | 450-245-7289