Indian reserves contain a lot of good agricultural land.
That land could be farmed or grazed more thoroughly, which would help the reserve residents, says Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk.
But few Indians have any involvement with any of Manitoba Agriculture’s programs and resources.
Wowchuk wants to change that. Her department has hired a person to reach out to Indians across the province.
“They are not using the services,” said Wowchuk during the Keystone Agricultural Producers annual meeting.
“I want a person who can go out and make contacts with the communities, find out why they’re not using our services and look at what services (we) can provide.”
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Wowchuk said reserves contain much pasture land fit for raising cattle . And she said some Indians grow potatoes.
But she said they could become more involved with agriculture and could be helped by her department.
“They just are not accessing our services and I feel that by having someone there to make them more aware of the services and open up those doors, we will enhance their ability to increase their production.”
