The province has announced $19-million in funding to boost competitiveness in the greenhouse sector.
Through the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative, the money will be used to create and invest in new technologies to reduce production costs, increase productivity and improve produce quality.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal made the announcement Thursday in Bowmanville.
General Manager of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Rick Seguin welcomes the funding
"We have been talking to the government for quite a while about the competitiveness challenges of our sector so we were pleased to hear about this announcement yesterday," says General Manager of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Rick Sequin.
"Our sector already has embraced as much technology as is available, it is a very proactive type environment but nevertheless we are facing lower costs and stiff competition from markets outside of Canada."
Seguin says the greenhouse industry is still waiting for details on how the funding will be dispersed.
Ontario has about 3,000 acres of greenhouses, representing almost half of the greenhouse sector of Canada.
Ontario's greenhouse sector grows by 150 acres per year.