Pickers need to be more efficient


and gentle so that the berries do not get squeezed or bruised. The bottom line is to ensure whatever is going into the box is the right quality and near perfect for distant markets. “Here in our lab at the university


we teach our students to think beyond the process itself,” says Bachar. “We’re trying to give them the skills that will help them solve a problem and provide the solution that deals with the issue in the best way - in the most efficient and definitely cost effective manner. “The skills that come out of the program can be applied across industries. “While we use agriculture as a setting we are not limited to it. The growers asked us to think beyond, outside the box, and be able to apply the logic that they know to multiple aspects of the agriculture industry and beyond.” The agriculture industry is currently researching ways to control insect problems better and


Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association


develop disease-resistant strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. Disease is the number one concern and every year it seems a new disease problem emerges out of nowhere and suddenly becomes major. “We are looking at the overall


picture and the health of the berry industry,” says Bachar. “It is a combination of finding new varieties that are resistant to new diseases, resistant to any new


climate variations; that are more stable when dealing with equipment, whether conventional or robotic, that is more efficient and gentler for picking and processing. “If we can help keep plants healthy


and growing, together we can actually improve the yield by having better fruit or better berries, as well as better equipment to process them. Overall, our combined efforts will improve operations in the industry.”


Horticulture Growers


Short Course 2017


January 26 - 28 Tradex, Abbotsford


In partnership with the 


12 British Columbia Berry Grower • Winter 2016-17


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