Ian Wishart sees hope when he looks at the direction being mapped out for agriculture in Manitoba.
However, the map offers no shortcuts out of the current farm difficulties, and Wishart said producers will need government support while navigating through this time of transition.
“We’re going to have some issues getting from where we are to where we need to be. One of them’s going to be income,” said the vice-president of Keystone Agricultural Producers.
“I hope the province is going to be there to make sure that we still have some farmers left when we get to where we need to be.”
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Wishart made his comments after hearing Manitoba’s agriculture minister give a sweeping view last week of where she sees the industry going.
During Manitoba Ag Days, Rosann Wowchuk said she sees opportunity in alternate energy, further crop diversification and increased food manufacturing including nutraceutical and functional foods.
She pointed to a wind farm, a biodiesel plant and a revived canola crushing plant as some of the recent ventures in the province that should benefit producers. She cited plans for a hog processing plant in Winnipeg and an ethanol plant at Minnedosa as examples of ventures that should also benefit producers.
“If our agriculture industry is to continue experiencing success, we need to embrace a long-term strategy that embraces the changes that surround us. Two of the main elements of this strategy are to expand the diversity of our production and to add value to the primary commodities that we produce here in the province,” Wowchuk said.
“I feel that instead of sending our raw commodities to be processed in other provinces and in other countries, we can keep jobs right here in this province and create new economic opportunities, especially in our rural communities.”
During last week’s Manitoba Ag Days, producers were told there will be changes to crop insurance, including an option to buy additional coverage under excess moisture insurance. Full details were not available, but the increase would bring the total available coverage for excess moisture to $75 per acre.
Wowchuk also announced the launch of a newsletter intended to keep farm families and rural residents informed about Manitoba Agriculture activities and about broader issues affecting them.
As well, she said consultations will start soon under a Creating Opportunities initiative to gather ideas to develop new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.
Wishart said KAP asked for the crop insurance changes, but not all of the farm group’s requests were picked up. He said the Creating Opportunities initiative could have merit.
“It is nice to have a third party look at this, as long as they do so with an open mind. I know several of the individuals involved and I think we will get at least some degree of that.”
