Canada is taking a step toward secure, year-round berry production. Montel Inc has partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University to develop a pollinator-independent indoor berry system.
The project is supported by the Weston Family Foundation under its Homegrown Innovation Challenge Scaling Phase. The initiative supports Canadian innovations that strengthen domestic food production.
In 2025, TMU researchers Professor Habiba Bougherara and Professor Lesley Campbell received funding of up to $5 million to continue developing a patented airflow and microclimate system. This system automatically transfers pollen between raspberry flowers without using bees. Pollination has been one of the most difficult challenges in indoor berry farming, especially in controlled environments.
To test the technology, Montel will design and host a pilot facility called MoFarm. The farm will be located near Montel’s manufacturing site in Montmagny, Québec. It will operate year-round and simulate real vertical farming conditions. The site will evaluate pollination performance, fruit set, and crop consistency across multiple growing cycles.
The project brings together plant science and engineering expertise. The goal is to support fruit development without relying on vulnerable pollinator populations. It also aims to improve yield predictability and allow compact, multi-layer berry production systems.
Montel’s leadership emphasized that the company’s mission is to help growers produce more food in less space. Collaboration with university researchers strengthens innovation in indoor agriculture.
"Montel's mission has always been to help growers grow more' with less space. Collaborating with TMU allows us to push the boundaries of what indoor agriculture can achieve when advanced science and engineering work hand in hand," said Yves Bélanger, VP Sales – Vertical Farming, Montel Inc.
"This funding allows us to build and test a system that could transform indoor berry production in Canada. Partnering with Montel gives us the ability to validate our technology under real indoor growing conditions," said Professor Habiba Bougherara, Toronto Metropolitan University.
This partnership demonstrates how science, industry, and philanthropic support can work together to build a stronger, more sustainable Canadian food future.