MOOSE JAW, Sask. — A study is underway to determine if Saskatche–wan is a good candidate for high volume vegetable production.
The study, which is led by the Sask-atchewan Irrigation Projects Association, will look at whether the province could supply more of its own produce and whether there is potential to supply others, said Judie Dyck, a Saskatoon-based consultant.
She told the SIPA annual conference Dec. 4 that the study will determine how much land is available for vegetable production under irrigation, what type of crop rotation would be necessary and the role of Regina’s Global Transportation Hub (GTH) in transporting produce.
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Loblaw Co.’s western distribution centre, which ships produce through-out Western Canada, was the first tenant at the GTH.
Dyck said Loblaw has indicated a willingness to work with local growers, and discussions have centred on prioritizing three to five crops.
Saskatchewan irrigators already grow 8,500 acres of potatoes a year, half for the table market and half for seed.
Pumpkins, green beans, beets, onions and corn are grown on another 500 acres. As well, Hutterite colonies and market gardeners, mostly in the Lumsden-Craven area and near Saskatoon, sell from the farmgate.
“We’re only producing 10 percent of what we consume, so we have an opportunity to provide at least what Saskatchewan needs,” Dyck told the conference.
Statistics Canada has said fresh vegetable consumption is increasing to 165 pounds per person per year. Many people prefer to buy local but can’t if production isn’t sufficient.
Dyck also said there are value added opportunities that the Prairies could capitalize on, such as canned borscht.
“We have the land base and the water,” she said.
“We need the skills, the people that want to get into the marketplace.”
The study’s report is to be complete by December 2013.
