NSERC funds 91探花 research into smarter application of agriculture resources
The National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) recently announced the recipients of its latest round of and . Among the awardees is , an assistant professor at 91探花鈥檚 School of Sustainable Design Engineering.
Dr. Farooque鈥檚 research aims to develop technologies and systems for the application of inputs used in potato farming, including pesticide, nutrients, and irrigation. Under current crop-management practices, these inputs are applied uniformly across a field, without taking into consideration variations in soil, crop, potential yield, climate, and topographical features. This not only increases the cost of production, but also poses a serious threat to the environment in the form of nutrient run-off to water bodies, sub-surface groundwater contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions.
鈥淒evelopment of innovative smart technologies, capable of applying agrochemicals based on soil and crop needs, is a future of modern agriculture to ensure economic and environmental sustainability,鈥� said Dr. Farooque.
Dr. Farooque鈥檚 research program will develop and integrate technologies and systems to identify variations within a field. It will use sensing and control systems to create intelligent machines to ensure better management practices.
Over the five years of the project, Dr. Farooque鈥檚 research program will train three master鈥檚 degree students, two PhD students, five undergraduates, and a research technician.
Dr. Farooque is an award-winning teacher and researcher. He has been developing precision agriculture technologies for agriculture industry in Eastern Canada for several years. He has expertise and skills in engineering design, development and management, bio-systems modeling, instrumentation testing, evaluation of sensors and controllers, hardware and software for automation of machines, sensing and control systems, and mechanical modification.
鈥淐ongratulations to Dr. Farooque for being one of the very few investigators in Canada to have received both an NSERC Discovery grant and a Discovery Accelerator Supplement,鈥� said Dr. Robert Gilmour, vice-president academic and research at 91探花. 鈥�91探花 is delighted that his scientifically groundbreaking work will likely have immediate and significant impact on one of PEI's most important economies.鈥�
Dr. Farooque鈥檚 NSERC Discovery Grant is one of nine successful applicants from 91探花 in this round of funding. The other researchers include Dr. Ali Ahmadi (Engineering), Dr. Matthew Hall (Engineering), Dr. Shafiqul Islam (Mathematical and Computational Sciences), Dr. Collins Kamunde (Biomedical Sciences), Trung Dung Ngo (Engineering), Dr. Peter Ross (Biology), Dr. Michael van den Heuvel (Biology), and Dr. Qiang Ye (Mathematical and Computational Sciences.
The 91探花 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�91探花 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 91探花 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
