This one of the most-popular vegetable in Canada is 'forcing' researchers to make robots and the reason has an 'American angle'
File Picture: A member of the military detail adjusts the Canadian flag prior to the arrival of Prime Minister Mark Carney for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington. (Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP)
A groundbreaking project is underway in southern Ontario that could revolutionize Canada's lettuce supply and reduce its heavy dependence on imports from the United States. Currently, approximately 90% of the lettuce consumed by Canadians, particularly during the winter months, originates south of the border, primarily from California and Arizona. This reliance leaves the Canadian market vulnerable to disruptions caused by droughts, wildfires, and escalating costs in the US, often leading to empty shelves and inflated prices in local grocery stores.
Canada's most-popular vegetable
Lettuce stands as one of Canada's most frequently consumed vegetables, yet its supply chain is particularly susceptible to global disruptions.
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Recent years have witnessed firsthand the impact of crop failures and transportation challenges in the US, resulting in significant price fluctuations and availability issues for Canadian consumers.
As Canada's significant dependence on produce from the United States comes under increasing scrutiny, one Ontario farmer is offering a compelling vision for the future: Locally grown, year-round produce cultivated by the power of artificial intelligence and automation, as reported by CBC Canada. A collaborative effort between Canadian researchers and farmers is cultivating a potential solution: an intelligent lettuce-harvesting robot. This innovative machine is currently undergoing rigorous testing on a farm in southern Ontario with the ambitious goal of enabling year-round, locally-grown lettuce production across Canada.
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Jay Willmot, a farmer and entrepreneur, recently showcased his technology-led approach at his sprawling two-hectare greenhouse nestled within a traditional red barn in King City, Ontario. Speaking to CBC, Willmot outlined his ambition: "From sowing and seeding, all the way through to harvest and packing, no one touches this crop." Instead, Willmot's operation, Haven Greens, relies on multimillion-dollar AI systems and sophisticated machinery.
Willmot established Haven Greens to directly address the challenges of the Canadian winter and the myriad of obstacles faced by farmers, ranging from high labor costs to unpredictable weather patterns. He is not alone in this pursuit, with both federal and provincial governments offering incentives to encourage the adoption of agricultural automation, the CBC Canada report noted. Willmot said that the integration of automation and artificial intelligence allows him to maximize his lettuce yield while significantly reducing labor costs, which typically represent the largest operating expense for greenhouse growers.
The research team is reportedly optimistic about bringing the automated harvesting solution to market within the next few years. Their immediate focus remains on fine-tuning the robot's performance to ensure optimal efficiency and adaptability to real-world farm conditions. This Canadian innovation offers a beacon of hope for a future where fresh, locally-grown lettuce is readily available to consumers, regardless of the season or external supply chain vulnerabilities.
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