An old and well-known agricultural acronym will be retired this week as the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration ceases to exist.
PFRA has been rolled into a new branch of the federal agriculture department, Agri-Environment Services, effective April 1.
Jamshed Merchant, the assistant deputy minister in charge of the branch, said the PFRA, the National Land and Water Information Service and the agri-environmental policy bureau have been joined to form the new branch, which is expected to provide nationwide service.
Merchant said the existing system of three separate organizations, “diluted our approach.”
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“A change of this magnitude, it’s a cultural change,” he said.
PFRA was established in 1935 to combat drought and soil erosion that had started earlier that decade.
Merchant said PFRA has strong name recognition, particularly in Saskatchewan, but not outside the West. For the past year, it was known as PFRA and the Environment.
Merchant said losing the name doesn’t diminish PFRA’s role in the new branch, but it does signify a change in operation.
“Rehabilitation was done a long time ago,” Merchant said.
Now it will help the agricultural sector expand in a sustainable way.
The new branch is expected to focus on policy, knowledge and people. It will help develop new technology and get the information to farmers.
Merchant said new policies and technologies have to be good for farmers.
“We’re not there just for the environment’s sake, if you like,” he said.
The Shelterbelt Centre at Indian Head, Sask., will continue with a greater role in agroforestry.
Merchant said the potential for woody species in ethanol production is one example of work at the centre.
The 85 community pastures, located on 2.3 million acres of some of the most environmentally sensitive land on the Prairies, are also expected to continue to operate.
Merchant said the branch focus on water will be more about conservation and quality than storage and capacity.
“Do we need engineers who will build dams?” he said.
Program delivery, such as environmental farm plans and best management practices, is expected to shift more to provincial agencies, while the federal branch provides technical assistance.
The office in Regina will be maintained, although Merchant is based in Ottawa.
A director general traditionally headed PFRA and Merchant said there will be a director general of agri-environmental adaptation and practice change.
