Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre

莱斯布里奇学院在30年农业应用研究的基础上，结合提高艾伯塔省南部中小型企业竞争优势的战略，提议建立综合农业技术中心(IATC)。农业是莱斯布里奇地区最大的部门之一，拥有900多个农场和120多家成熟的农产品加工企业。许多挑战威胁着这一部门的长期增长和可持续性，包括消费者和监管压力，要求将环境影响和用水降至最低。因此，在利润率不断下降的情况下，对创新技术的需求越来越大，以帮助农业保持竞争力和环境友好。IATC将把农业企业与对区域经济健康发展至关重要的创新技术和能力联系起来。基于莱斯布里奇学院在水产养殖、农作物生产和湿加工方面的核心专业知识领域，拟建的中心将通过获得专家顾问、定制服务、专门设备和设施以及独特技术，促进和加快农业科技、温室、水产养殖、食品加工商和大型农作物生产商的发展。应用研究及发展、技术及谘询，以及培训及教育这三个有价值的服务范畴，将切合本地业界的需要。IATC还汇集了成熟的多学科研究经验、熟练的学生、最先进的设施和广泛的创新生态系统，使加拿大的综合农业产业受益。

Building on thirty years of applied research in agriculture, coupled with a strategy to improve the competitiveadvantage of Small Medium Enterprises in southern Alberta, Lethbridge College proposes to establish the IntegratedAgriculture Technology Centre (IATC). Agriculture is one of the largest sectors in the Lethbridge region, with morethan 900 farms and more than 120 established agri-food processing businesses. Numerous challenges threaten thelong-term growth and sustainability of this sector, including consumer and regulatory pressure to minimizeenvironmental impact and water usage. Thus, there is a growing need for innovative technologies to help theagricultural industry stay competitive and environmentally sound amidst shrinking profit margins.The IATC will connect agricultural businesses with innovative technologies and capabilities that are essential for thehealth of the regional economy. Based on Lethbridge Colleges core areas of expertise in Aquaculture, CropProduction, and Wet Processing, the proposed centre will enable and accelerate Ag-tech, greenhouse, aquaculture,food processors, and largescale crop producers through access to expert consultants, customised services, specialisedequipment and facilities, and unique technologies. The three valuable service streams of Applied Research andDevelopment; Technical and Consulting; and Training and Education will meet the needs of local industry. TheIATC also brings together proven multi-disciplinary research experience, skilled students, state-of-the-art facilities,and an extensive innovation ecosystem to benefit Canadas integrated agriculture industry.