Dr. Lord Abbey, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University and Bioenterprise SIAC Advisor, speaks about soil health, compost, and creating pathways for Canadian immigrants interested in agriculture.
By Tabitha Caswell for Bioenterprise
In the evolution of Canadian agriculture, few stories are as compelling as that of Dr. Lord Abbey. He’s traversed the globe from Ghana to Canada and beyond to witness its diverse landscapes firsthand. Marked by an insatiable curiosity, Dr. Abbey’s path reflects a relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation, an unyielding resilience, and a commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships.
Here, serving as a member of the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee (SIAC) with Bioenterprise and Associate Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University, Dr. Abbey offers insight on topics that are far-reaching but close to his heart.
Crossing Continents
Born and raised in Ghana, Dr. Abbey’s arrival in Canada illustrates the transformative power of education and a willingness to explore the unexpected. Gifted in biology, young Lord originally aimed to study medicine and the idea of becoming an expert in agriculture wasn’t something he aspired to. On the contrary, it was quite the opposite.
You see, although the practice of agriculture is respected in many parts of the world, it carries a stigma in some countries like Ghana where a career in farming conjures undesirable associations with thankless, back-breaking work. In fact, time spent in the garden is often used as punishment for bad behaviour and Dr. Abbey remembers vividly the negative effect it had on him and other children in his school. Despite his reluctance, however, this perspective began to unexpectedly shift.
Dr. Abbey’s father was an accountant and a part-time farmer who valued the importance of agriculture and food. Somehow, as if he could see into the future, he knew that the field of agriculture would open doors for his son, so he encouraged him to seriously pursue this path. With this support, he gained admission into the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ghana. As the first member of his family to attend university, it was a proud moment for them all.
His father’s prediction materialized as Dr. Abbey began to fall in love with agriculture. Driven by his newfound passion, he excelled in his studies and graduated with honours. His academic achievements led to a scholarship at the Imperial College of Wye, University of London in the United Kingdom (UK), where he earned his master’s degree. Soon after, he won the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship to complete his PhD at Cranfield University in the UK.
After completing his education, Dr. Abbey attended a conference in Toronto in 2001. Inspired by the city, the people, and the warm reception he received, he decided to move to Canada. In 2007, Dr. Abbey’s career took a serendipitous turn. To broaden his employment opportunities, he completed a postgraduate diploma in pharmaceutical research and development from the Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology. On the very same day he interviewed for a position in the pharmaceutical field, he was also offered a position in agriculture.
Acknowledging his true calling, he chose to embrace the field that had unexpectedly captured his heart. Dr. Abbey accepted the position with The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto in 2008 where he helped to build a community greenhouse and urban agriculture educational program. Three years later, he moved to Brandon, Manitoba to work as an instructor and researcher for Assiniboine Community College where he developed a new horticulture program.
The success of the program at Assiniboine led to an opportunity in 2015 with Dalhousie University as Associate Professor of Amenity Horticulture, where he’s been teaching ever since.
Beyond Amenities
The practice of amenity horticulture focuses on the cultivation and maintenance of plants for aesthetic, environmental, and recreational enhancement in landscapes such as parks, gardens, and public spaces.
At Dalhousie, Dr. Abbey’s work transcends the traditional bounds of amenity horticulture. He says, “I call myself a horticulturist, but the term ‘amenity horticulture’ doesn’t accurately and fully portray the kind of work I do.”
Digging deeper into areas with profound implications for sustainable agriculture and global food security, Dr. Abbey identifies more closely with the broader field of horticulture. His teaching portfolio includes principles of organic horticulture, controlled environment agriculture, horticultural therapy, and specialty crops, alongside graduate modules in environmental sciences. He also leads a robust research program at Dalhousie, attracting undergraduates, graduates, interns, and postdoc fellows to his lab from as far away as Barbados, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
Beyond academia, Dr. Abbey’s commitment to global agricultural advancement is evident. As a member of the Faculty of Agriculture, he participates in various research and teaching programs at international institutions like St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania, Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) in Saint Lucia, and the Uganda Skills Development Project (USDP). In 2023, Dr. Abbey’s work was recognized by Dalhousie with the Achievement in Internationalization Award.
Agricultural Ambassador
Dr. Abbey’s global approach to horticulture and agriculture is based on his dedication to fostering global knowledge exchange and innovation, showcasing the far-reaching influence of his work beyond the classroom.
His extensive travels take him around the world where he collaborates on research and teaching programs focused on food security and agricultural education. These journeys allow him to share his expertise, learn from diverse agricultural practices, and foster international partnerships that enhance the global agricultural community’s knowledge and skills.
Reflecting on the integral role travel plays in his work, Dr. Abbey rattles off the places he’s been and where he plans to go next. He humorously acknowledges the rarity of his time at home, saying, “Yes, I travel a lot. But I love meeting and talking with new people everywhere I go.”
Dr. Abbey is a man “on the move,” and his passion for travel is a vital component of his professional life, enabling him to act as a global ambassador for horticulture and sustainable agriculture. Through his work, Dr. Abbey exemplifies the profound impact that dedication and global collaboration can have on addressing some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture and food security.
Navigating Chaos
Dr. Abbey expresses a nuanced view of the future of food in Canada and globally, highlighting the multifaceted challenges that threaten our food system. He points out that the situation is complex with climate change, the aftermath of COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine posing significant disruptions to food production and agricultural operations.
“It’s very chaotic now. The impact from labour shortages and the broader implications of climate change, including extreme weather events like frost, drought, and flooding, have led to decreased crop yields and operational shutdowns in Canada and around the world,” Dr. Abbey says.
Moreover, he raises concerns about the impact of these challenges on food quality. Dr. Abbey explains how certain environmental conditions might cause plants to thrive, which can appear to be a good thing but is deceiving. If energy is improperly channelled into a plant, the nutritional value of the food produced by it is compromised. This imbalance, he notes, affects not just the quantity but the quality of food, with significant implications for health and nutrition. Dr. Abbey says, “My studies show that the quality of the food that we eat is being impacted the most.”
Dr. Abbey points out a critical need for addressing layered challenges of ensuring food security and maintaining food quality in the face of environmental and socio-economic changes. His insight and expertise lay the groundwork for exploring innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture that can meet these challenges head-on.
Back to the Basics of Soil
Considering the rapid acceleration of innovation in agriculture, it can be tempting to place the future of our food system solely in the hands of technology. As an expert in composting for the improvement of soil health, Dr. Abbey passionately advocates for a return to fundamental agricultural practices. Emphasizing the critical importance of addressing soil health and food security challenges, he says, “We need to get back to the basics.”
Speaking recently at the 5th All-African Horticultural Congress, he observed a stark focus on advanced technologies to combat poor soil and drought issues, noting a significant oversight in discussions on soil fertility enhancement through traditional methods like composting. Amidst talks of sophisticated tech, Dr. Abbey stood out by urging a shift towards basic, yet profoundly impactful practices that bolster soil health and, consequently, food and nutrition security.
Highlighting the disconnect between current research priorities and foundational agricultural needs, Dr. Abbey says, “There were 100s of presentations given at the conference, and I was the only one talking about compost!” He believes we should be prioritizing soil health through composting as a fundamental step towards sustainable agriculture, especially in regions severely affected by drought and soil infertility.
By advocating for a “back to basics” approach, Dr. Abbey champions the integration of traditional knowledge and practices in modern agricultural strategies, aiming to ensure food and nutrition security through the restoration of soil vitality.
The Simple Solution of Compost
Modern agriculture faces a complex web of challenges, and to Dr. Abbey, the use of compost will enhance soil quality and, by extension, crop resilience and productivity. But what, exactly, is compost, and can the solution be as simple as it sounds?
Compost is a mixture of decayed organic materials like leaves, vegetable scraps, and manure, which turns into a rich, earthy material as it breaks down. Adding compost to soil helps improve its quality, making it better for plants to grow by adding nutrients and improving soil structure. Dr. Abbey says, “Compost is a vital component in building active soil organic matter, which is essential for maintaining soil health and fertility. It improves the whole ecosystem.”
The production of compost is relatively easy and can be incorporated into agricultural waste by-product recycling systems. Although it sounds rather simple, Dr. Abbey points out that while the agricultural industry has leaned heavily towards biostimulants for crop improvement, the fundamental aspect of improving soil health through compost has been significantly overlooked. He also says, “A little goes a long way.”
Highlighting the findings from a five-year study conducted in his lab, sponsored by the Compost Council of Canada, Dr. Abbey and his research team demonstrated that even minimal applications of compost could substantially benefit soil health over time, improving plant growth and soil quality.
Dr. Abbey passionately states, “We don’t talk much about compost – what compost can do to help. And that’s very sad. We should be talking about it much more. We should be integrating compost into conventional farming practices to improve soil organic matter and overall soil health, alongside the use of biostimulants.”
By focusing on soil health through composting, Dr. Abbey thinks we can work toward a future of sustainable agricultural practices that can mitigate some of the pressing issues facing agriculture and more specifically, the horticulture sector.
Looking Ahead
Through his extensive travel and international interactions, Dr. Abbey has a broad view of food systems in other countries and around the world. Acknowledging the complexity of issues, he foresees a period of growing, widespread food insecurity. He says, “Lately, I’ve witnessed the increasing reliance on food banks among students and other people close to me. It’s something I haven’t seen at this level before. We’re all feeling the weight of these issues.”
The intertwining challenges of immigration, job scarcity, rising rent prices, and insufficient food bank support paint a bleak picture for the immediate future. Dr. Abbey adds, “Unfortunately, I think it will continue to grow and grow, perhaps for a while, until policies are introduced that might help to improve the situation.”
Dr. Abbey’s perspective sheds light on the urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions and economic stabilization to address the multifaceted crisis of food insecurity. He also believes that to build a more resilient food system, creating opportunities through strategic cross-collaboration will be necessary to overcome the challenges that lay ahead.
Cultivating Collaboration and Opportunities
As we explore potential solutions to these challenges, the importance of cross-collaboration and creating opportunities for immigrants interested in agriculture in Canada becomes evident.
Dr. Abbey says, “There is an untapped potential in immigrants with agricultural backgrounds, many with valuable skills and experience to share.” He points out that these individuals, accustomed to more challenging conditions and manual labour, could thrive in Canada’s agricultural landscape with the right resources, incentives, and support systems in place.
“With access to things like land, equipment, and good seeds, many immigrant farmers would far exceed expectations and be a huge benefit to agriculture in Canada,” Dr. Abbey says, emphasizing the transformative impact that supportive resources can have on enabling immigrants to pursue agriculture in Canada, not just for their benefit but also as a vital strategy to rejuvenate the Canadian agricultural sector and address labour shortages.
As we consider the future, envisioning Canada as a facilitator for agricultural training for immigrants – who could then apply this knowledge both locally and globally – opens powerful possibilities for addressing food insecurity on a wider scale. This approach could not only benefit Canada but also contribute to alleviating global food insecurity challenges, embodying a vision that is both ambitious and impactful.
Dr. Lord Abbey’s unique journey from an aspiring medical doctor in Ghana to an active, influential figure in Canadian horticulture and agriculture encapsulates a remarkable narrative of transformation and dedication. His work transcends traditional agricultural practices, advocating for soil health and policy change to support a diverse, multi-cultural farming workforce and the open exchange of knowledge.
Through his advocacy for composting and compost utilization, his innovative research, and his passion for teaching and international collaboration, Dr. Abbey not only addresses the pressing challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture but also inspires a new generation of leaders as we look toward a future where agriculture is both a science and a bridge between cultures, generations, and nations.
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