The connection between the scientific and agricultural communities
Unfortunately, there is often a gap, if not a canyon, between scientific research and agricultural producers. Universities publish their research results on platforms that are not easily accessible, and on topics that don’t always meet current needs out in the field. The presentation formatting and the terminology used often create a distance between the academic world and the public. In Quebec, we are fortunate enough to have research centres that put considerable effort into popularizing the results of their research. Aiming to get closer to apple producers, one research centre has undertaken the initiative to create display orchards in five different regions of Quebec.
What’s a display orchard?
It’s an orchard where unconventional or newly discovered techniques are implemented in order to offer the opportunity to see concrete results out in the field to the agricultural community. These orchards provide an avenue to compare new techniques with those traditionally used. The information collected in the field includes yield, agronomic and economic data. All of this makes it possible for farmers and agronomists to realistically compare two different production systems to one another.
For innovation to take root
Particularly when it comes to the implementation of techniques whose objective is to reduce the environmental footprint of agricultural production, we must be able to demonstrate that these approaches are not only effective, but also realistically feasible in the field. If we want change to occur more quickly, it’s imperative to facilitate the transmission of information from the scientific community to the field. The display orchards in apple production are an inspiring example of how innovation can be brought to the ears of those concerned. Not only does it eliminate lingering doubts and hesitations, but most importantly, it demonstrates that the latest scientific advances work in practice, not just on paper.