A survey of 268 Saskatchewan farmers has found dissatisfaction with AgriStability.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan polled members to confirm what it had been hearing, said president Norm Hall.
“The survey was to get factual information, instead of just anecdotal,” he said.
There have been many complaints about the program since changes were made in 2013.
The responses show that while AgriInvest is rated highly, and AgriInsurance is rated moderately, AgriStability scores consistently lower, he said.
That program scored lowest for adequacy and design. Just 18 percent of the respondents said the program does or would benefit their operations.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers commit to enhancing competitiveness
Canadian ag ministers said they want to ensure farmers, ranchers and processors are competitive through ongoing regulatory reform and business risk management programs that work.
Thirty-five percent of respondents said they had withdrawn from the program and 55 percent said they couldn’t predict coverage levels at the start of each year.
AgriInvest fared best in the survey; 73 percent strongly agreed they would recommend the program to others.
Crop insurance is perceived to provide predictable and timely support but only 30 percent said coverage was adequate.
The survey also showed that 64 percent believe governments could better support beginning farmers.
For Growing Forward 3, they said the highest priority should be innovation and science, followed by trade and market development.
Hall said APAS will send copies of the survey results to the agriculture minister and officials, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and to other agricultural organizations.
“We’re going to talk to other groups in the province now to see if they’re hearing anything different, if they want to talk about this going forward,” he said.
Complete survey results can be downloaded via www.apas.ca (PDF format).
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
