Dr. Chandra Singh, a researcher at Lethbridge Polytechnic and the director of the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre, has received national recognition for his role in developing a more efficient and less wasteful crop testing method. Dr. Singh was part of a three-person, pan-Canadian team that was awarded the prestigious John Ogilvie Research Innovation Award by the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. The award celebrates innovative research in agricultural fields.
"I'm honoured to be recognized for my contributions in pioneering this new technology, which represents a meaningful step forward in improving crop export processes," said Singh. "Working alongside colleagues from the University of Guelph and the University of Prince Edward Island, we're excited to see the project transition from research to real-world application."
The project, titled "Development of AI-Assisted Imaging and Spectroscopic Techniques for Pulse Quality Assurance Systems," created AI-driven, non-destructive testing (NDT) technology for pulse crop quality assessment. The system uses spectral imaging tools with near-infrared light to analyze samples, replacing traditional physical testing methods that damage the crop. This approach yields more accurate, reliable, and non-invasive results.
"Congratulations to Dr. Singh on being recognized for his contribution to this advancement that allows growers to test their crops without damaging them," said Shane Strydhorst, Chair of the Alberta Pulse Growers Commission. "His work will benefit pulse farmers in Alberta and beyond."
Singh noted that the technology, originally funded by RDAR and Alberta Innovates for use on potatoes, was adapted for pulse crops through the creation of new prediction models. These methods are faster, more sustainable, and highly accessible as they require no chemical reagents or specialized training.
The project was a model of successful multi-institutional collaboration, involving Dr. Singh, former Lethbridge Polytechnic post-doctoral fellow Dr. Senthilkumar Thiruppathi (now at the University of Prince Edward Island), and student researchers from the University of Guelph under the supervision of Professor Manickavasagan Annamalai. The resulting technology has significant potential for rapid adoption by small- and medium-sized enterprises across the Canadian and international pulse supply chain, providing an effective solution to a real-world challenge and driving future innovation.
