$177.5 MILLION INCREASE TO AGRICULTURE BUDGET

The 2009-10 Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture's budget will provide $483.4 million, an increase of $177.5 million (58 per cent) over 2008-09, to benefit Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers.

Most of this additional money will fund risk management programs such as Crop Insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest.

"Eighty seven per cent of this year's increase goes right into our business risk management programs," Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "This government is keeping our promise to fully fund our share of Federal-Provincial programs like AgriStability and AgriInvest. This provides certainty and security for our producers."

The improvements to the 2009 Crop Insurance Program will cost the Provincial Government an additional $20 million. These improvements are a result of last year's Crop Insurance Review, which included input from over 1,000 producers. The Provincial Government's contribution to the Crop Insurance Program in 2009 is the largest ever made by a Saskatchewan Government.

The budget includes $5 million in new provincial funding for the new Federal-Provincial Growing Forward agreement. This new agreement will include a province-wide water infrastructure program. Details of the Growing Forward agreement will be announced in early April.

The 2009 Ministry of Agriculture budget will also provide support for research, the Crown Land Sale Program and a comprehensive Pest Control Program, which includes nearly $3 million for the Gopher Control Rebate Program. The Ministry is also enhancing regional extension services for producers.

"Farmers and ranchers will benefit, over the long term, from our commitment to both research and agricultural extension services," Bjornerud said. "New varieties, new management techniques and new production methods - our staff will help get them from the lab to the field."

Bjornerud said this year's budget puts the focus of the Ministry back on the farm gate, where it should be.

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031