Hello everyone,
I am writing this as I wrap up my first few
weeks as your new Vegetable Specialist at Perennia. While I have only been in
the role for a short time, my roots in agriculture run deep. As a
sixth-generation grower with over 30 years of experience in farming and
research, I understand that the most important work happens in the field, not
behind a desk.
I’ve made it a priority to visit as many
Nova Scotia vegetable farms as I can in the first few months and so far, these
visits have been amazing. I want to thank the community for being so welcoming
and open with me. I am mindful that there are over 150 vegetable growers across
Nova Scotia, each with a unique story and a specific set of challenges. My goal
is to eventually support every one of you in a variety of ways.
A Holistic Approach to Your Success
I believe in a holistic approach because
every farm has its own unique ecosystem and economic constraints. I specialize
in soil health improvements, cropping systems, conducting side-by-side
demonstrations and real-world trials directly on your acreage to see what works
for your specific soil. I have come to know that variety selection can make a
huge impact; for instance, there are potato varieties that mature early and
require fewer inputs while producing 20 percent more marketable yield than some
existing varieties. My work also focuses on regenerative integration, such as
implementing cover crops or exploring rotational grazing to improve soil
structure, reducing erosion, improving water holding ability and fertility and
ensuring that all research results are turned into actionable knowledge for
your daily operations.
I Want to Hear from You
Before I dive into research and demos and
other work for the season, I need to learn from the experts—you.
What is the main challenge you are facing
on your farm?
The more I learn about the specific
challenges you face, the better I can focus my efforts on coming up with
practical, effective solutions. I will keep all the information you share with
me strictly confidential. Whether you need support collecting more information
on a specific issue, or you are interested in conducting a research demo on
your farm, please reach out. I am here to listen, to learn, and to work
alongside you.
Contact:
Manphool Fageria, PhD, P.Ag.
Vegetable Specialist | Agricultural Services
Perennia Food and
Agriculture Corporation
Email mfageria@perennia.ca
Mobile
902-890-7716
6-28 Aberdeen Street,
Kentville, NS B4N 2N1
