2025 CSABE/SCGAB FELLOW & MAPLE LEAF AWARD

Dr. Qamar Zaman, Professor and Precision Agriculture Research Chair at Dalhousie University, has made significant contributions to the field of PA through his innovative research, teaching, and outreach initiatives. His work has notably advanced the wild blueberry industry in northeastern North America by developing technologies that enhance harvesting efficiency, improve crop yield and quality, and reduce production costs. The Wild Blueberry Harvester Efficiency Program, a collaboration between Dr. Zaman's team and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, exemplifies his commitment to applying research to real-world challenges, offering financial assistance to producers for adopting advanced harvester technologies. Dr. Zaman's research focuses on sustainable agriculture, bioinstrumentation, environmental stewardship, and automation, utilizing GPS, GIS, and variable rate technologies to optimize agricultural production systems. His development of automated variable-rate sprayers for spot application of agrochemicals addresses issues of over-application and under-application, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits. Through his teaching and mentoring contributions, Dr. Zaman imparts knowledge on PA technologies to students, preparing the next generation of agricultural engineers. His mentorship extends globally, fostering international collaborations and knowledge exchange. Dr. Zaman's work exemplifies the integration of research, education, and community engagement to achieve sustainable and economically viable agricultural practices, benefiting both local and global communities.