Polytech researcher Singh earns innovation award

By Lethbridge Herald on August 2, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

A Lethbridge Polytechnic researcher has been recognized nationally with the prestigious John Ogilvie Research Innovation Award for his contributions in developing a lower cost, less wasteful crop testing method.

Chandra Singh, director of the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre in Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, was part of a pan-Canadian team of three who received the prestigious award. 

“Post-harvest means that once you harvest you make sure the crops are properly stored, and the economic benefit from harvesting those crops continue. Then you sell your product in good condition, and you make profit,” said Singh. 

Presented by the Canadian Society for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the award recognizes innovative research projects by individuals or teams, including student researchers 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

The project Singh received recognition for is titled “Development of AI-Assisted Imaging and Spectroscopic Techniques for Pulse Quality Assurance Systems,” and it is focused on the creation of AI-driven, spectroscopic, and optical imaging technology for pulse crop quality assessment. 

A type of spectral imaging crop analysis was previously developed at Lethbridge Polytechnic to support research on potato quality.

“By using spectral imaging tools, which use near-infrared light to examine and identify what’s in a sample, instead of traditional physical testing which damages the crop, assessments are more accurate, reliable and non-invasive,” explained Singh. 

He said these methods are faster, economical and environmentally sustainable, 

and require no chemical reagents or specialized training, making them highly accessible.

“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 result is a model of effective, multi-institutional research and a new technology with potential for quick adoption by small- and medium-sized enterprises across the pulse supply chain in Canada and abroad.

“The idea is that down the line, farmers should be able to use it at their farm, but the main focus will be on grain elevators, because that’s where they bring their crop and if they can get it evaluated quickly, it is better for the farmers,” said Singh. 

He said the technology is approximately three to five years away from being commercialized at this point.