As announced last week, St. Thomas is to become a player in addressing the fertilizer shortage in the province.
Ontario is investing $2 million in 10 projects, including the fertilizer coating plant preparing to begin operations on Edward Street in the city.
Operated by CRF AgriTech, a division of Quebec-based Sollio Agriculture, it will bring previously unavailable controlled-release fertilizers to this market.
Last fall, myFM spoke with Sollio CEO Casper Kaastra for an update on progress to date.
The coated fertilizer is a win for the environment adds Kaastra.
Mike Pastir, CRF AgriTech general manager added in a release, “Through the production of PurYield, a polymer-coated fertilizer that reduces nutrient losses, CRF AgriTech provides new solutions for today’s growers to optimize crop performance, increase their profitability and focus on environmental sustainability.”
In 2021, Ontario farmers spent over $1.2 billion on commercial fertilizers and lime, which was applied to over 6.8 million acres of farmland.
The province’s Fertilizer Challenge will support home-grown solutions to ensure farmers have the tools they need to continue to provide a safe and stable food supply.
Enabling more domestic production will reduce the province’s reliance on foreign fertilizers and further solidify the stability of the agricultural industry.
Written by Ian McCallum
