Agriculture Bioproducts in Ontario

by Dr. Mahendra Thimmanagari, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

LOCATION: Room 202, Crop Sci
DATE & TIME: Thursday, February 28, 2019 @ 11:00 AM

ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, Ontario agricultural bioproducts research and commercialization capacity are yielding encouraging outcomes. The manufacture of bio-based products (biofuels, biomaterials, biochemicals, bioenergy) provides the opportunity to benefit farmers and agriculture processors additional new markets for crops commodities and byproducts. From Statistics Canada recent 2015 bioproducts production and development survey, Ontario ranks with the highest number of firms at 59 out of 190 Canadian establishments. And, agriculture biomass is primary feedstock used by number of firms for bioproducts manufacture in Canada and in Ontario, 42% of the firms. This presentation will provide an overview on Ontario agriculture bioproducts sector, research and program support and potential crop opportunities for bioeconomy.

Biography

Mahendra Thimmanagari, for the past 11 years is working as Bioproducts Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), providing technical and technology transfer support to agri-food stakeholders and policy advice on bioproducts and bioeconomy. He is involved working with university researchers in applied research and commercialization projects related to biomass and industrial crops and for bioproducts development. His previous work experience in India for over 15 years includes as an Assistant Professor in an Agriculture University and in the Dept. of Agriculture. Mahendra received his Ph.D in Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry from India.