Sask. outlines agriculture spending priorities
SASKATOON — Saskatchewan has the potential to expand its cattle industry further and faster than Alberta, says a provincial deputy agriculture minister who has worked in both provinces.
Nithi Govindasamy, associate deputy minister in Saskatchewan for the last several years, said the opportunity for a stronger livestock industry is greatest in Saskatchewan.
“I think this province is well placed — land base, producers, weather, water supply — to become the largest cow-calf province in Canada,” he told the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference Jan. 23.
“Some of the guys that I’ve worked with in Alberta for 30 years may not like hearing this but…”
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Govindasamy said regulatory reform is helping promote the province as the place to be.
The government’s decision to feature agricultural goals in the province’s growth agenda also sends a critical message.
He challenged producers to think about how they can work to make the industry all it can be, but he also said governments will help spur development through non-business risk management programs in Growing Forward 2.
Saskatchewan has been consulting with industry as it develops the programs it intends to roll out April 1. The province and Ottawa are currently negotiating the bilateral agreement.
Govindasamy said the broad theme of innovation will break down into programs that increase competitiveness, adaptability and sustainability.
“Innovation is going to be a central feature of the programming,” he said. “We’re going to be using every dollar available to focus on innovation.”
Saskatchewan will spend its money in eight key areas:
- Agricultural research and innovation
- Environment
- Farm business management
- Rural water infrastructure
- Food safety, plant and animal health
- Value added business development
- Agricultural awareness
- Trade and market development
The first Growing Forward invested $250 million in the non-BRM programs. The greatest percentage of money went toward research (31 percent), followed by environment (24), farm business management (22) and rural water (19).
However, both governments are increasing the money available to $71.2 million on average per year, or $350 million over the five-year life of the agreement.
The province is accepting written feedback on its Growing Forward proposals until Feb. 15.
Govindasamy said he is concerned about the federal government’s withdrawal from agriculture, evidenced by the offloading of community pastures on the province, cutting the tree nursery at Indian Head and withdrawing from irrigation projects in the southwest.
“From my vantage point, there are some really good things that Agriculture Canada has been doing that may no longer be done,” he said.
“Who is to fill the gap? I suspect that more is coming.”
Brad Wildeman of Pound-Maker AgVentures said the non-BRM programs are important but the reduction in government spending on BRM programs means an effective disaster relief program remains elusive.
