A one-stop centre for irrigators will benefit those in irrigation now as well as others wishing to get into irrigation in the future, said Roger Pederson.
The chair of the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association is pleased with the creation of a new provincial irrigation development branch in Outlook, Sask., announced Feb. 27.
“It’s real positive,” said Pederson, who noted the regulatory, development and operational services in irrigation have now been amalgamated into one.
“Hopefully this makes the process simpler,” he said.
He also hopes it will lead to bigger things, like infill on existing projects and the attraction of industry to irrigation districts.
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John Babcock, director of the new irrigation branch, said the new department has no immediate plans to increase irrigation development, but will be able to manage all aspects when it happens.
“The intention is to focus on irrigation and have all services under one roof,” Babcock said.
The specialist in soils and agricultural research has been seconded to the position for a year, but the department will be permanent, he said.
He will remain in Regina but his staff will work in Outlook at the Canada-Saskatchewan Crop Diversification Centre.
He called it an internal reorganization of existing staff and resources within Saskatchewan Agriculture.
There is no new money for the department but the provincial government announced $200,000 toward equipment purchases and repairs for the centre.
