NEW FUNDING FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND WATER SUPPLIES

The Government of Saskatchewan is working to keep the economy strong and growing by increasing its investment in agriculture this year to $302.8 million. Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said new funding in the 2008-09 budget for water infrastructure and research will help to grow the agriculture industry in Saskatchewan.

"For too many years, rural Saskatchewan has suffered from a serious infrastructure deficit," Bjornerud said. "The $6 million dollar Saskatchewan Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Fund will help to address long-standing water supply issues in dry areas of the province, particularly in the South West. The fund will help lessen the impact of drought and provide a secure water source for Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers."

"We will also invest an additional $1.6 million of new money into research funding to now total $15.2 million," Bjornerud said. "This investment will help ensure researchers have the tools and resources necessary to build on our innovation in Saskatchewan and keep our industry on the cutting edge."

The Government is committed to supporting primary agriculture by providing funding to help manage production risks. Nearly three-quarters of the Ministry of Agriculture's budget - $221.3 million - will go to Crop Insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest. The AgriStability and AgriInvest programs replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program and will be fully funded in 2008-09, as promised by the government. There will also be increased coverage for the 2008 crop thanks to an additional $25 million for Crop Insurance.

"This new government is committed to keeping promises," Bjornerud said. "Therefore, a full review of the Crop Insurance program will take place in the coming months. We will consider the results of the review in developing the 2009 program. In the meantime, we are responding to farmers' requests for increased coverage in 2008."

The new water infrastructure fund and additional research funding represents a $7.6 million investment. The remainder of money for agriculture will provide additional funding for key programs and services such as regional seed variety testing and the Livestock Predation Program.

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031