NPR - DISSEMINATION WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY IN QUEBEC, CANADA

Abstract:

The Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ) is a unique model of cooperation and knowledge dissemination for the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada.

CRAAQ is a non-profit organization with a principal mandate to promote cooperation amongst its expert member and those of other agricultural and agri-food organizations in order to communicate knowledge, to create and to disseminate reference tools and carry out networking activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Over the years, the CRAAQ has utilised technology to the benefit the Quebec’s agriculture and agrifood sector. This presentation will present five examples. The two major ones: 

• Our web-based information database: Agri-Réseau (Agri network). Its mission is to disseminate cutting edge and up-to-date information for enterprises and professionals in agriculture and agri-food sector through specialised websites.
• Our collaboration platform: the Bureau virtuel agricole et agroalimentaire (we could translate Virtual office).

And two innovative ways to present content:

• For starting a business, Agro-Démarrage is a web-based tool that aggregates all the necessary information and available resources on the different steps in starting a business in agriculture.
• For Knowledge transfer and promotion of agroforestry initiatives, Réseau de sites de démonstration en agroforesterie project aims to support the transfer of knowledge and to encourage the adoption of agroforestry. The website emphasizes on the different agroforestry systems and takes the visitor through a virtual tour of various existing agroforestry initiatives in Quebec with an interactive map.

Finally, SAgE pesticides is an information tool on the risks to health and environment as well as the agricultural uses for a rational and safe pesticide management. More than just a usage database on pesticides, this tool presents their potential toxicity to human health of pesticides, their potential effects on non-target organisms and the environment, their mode of action, and their compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) programs.