SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – A merger of irrigation groups in Saskatchewan could open new doors, said the chair of the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association.
“Maybe there’s some benefits if we’re one group,” said Roger Pederson during the annual meetings of SIPA and the Irrigation Crop Diversification Centre in Swift Current Dec. 5-6.
The two boards work well together, drawing their volunteer directors from the same geographical areas, holding annual meetings jointly and sharing a website, he said.
SIPA has long lobbied for affordable three-phase power for irrigation pivots, heavy-haul roads from irrigation districts and more irrigation development.
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This winter, the provincial cabinet will discuss a new irrigation policy that will include recommendations put forward in a recent report promoting irrigation infill and building on structures already in place.
“We can best accomplish this with one strong voice, one strong industry voice,” Pederson said.
He cited the confusion that often arises about each group’s role.
“Farmers are unclear of who we are and who we represent,” Pederson said.
ICDC board member John Linsley, also manager of irrigation development with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said there is much common ground between SIPA and ICDC. He said both share the mandate of increasing the education and public awareness of irrigation.
While SIPA and ICDC work together on many ventures, they also have distinct responsibilities, with SIPA focused on irrigation policy and ICDC on research and development.
“Any merger proposal from SIPA will have to address how these distinct responsibilities will be handled,” Linsley said.
He noted irrigators asked for the irrigation file to go to Saskatchewan Agriculture from Sask Water, which happened in 2002.
He cited a good working relationship with SIPA and Saskatchewan Agriculture, which also continues to support ICDC.
“So we’re very optimistic that, should a merger proposal come to us from SIPA, the result will better serve the interests of irrigators and the rural community economies that they support,” said Linsley.
Ron Tittle, a director and founding member of SIPA, stressed the need for his group to remain an independent organization.
“In order to lobby government, we have to stand alone and not be affiliated with anybody in the political aspect,” he said.
