RECORD FUNDING FOR CROP INSURANCE AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT THE 2013-14 AGRICULTURE BUDGET

New Funding for Irrigation Bridges; Increased Investment for Strategic Initiatives

Record Crop Insurance funding and increased funding for strategic investments highlight the Saskatchewan Agriculture budget of $406.9 million in 2013-14.

Crop Insurance coverage levels will increase to a record $194 per acre on average in 2013, more than double the coverage offered in 2007.  This year’s $198.3 million Crop Insurance budget is the largest in the history of the program and a 91 per cent increase since 2007.

“We continue to invest in programs such as Crop Insurance to ensure Saskatchewan farm and ranch families have the support they need to keep our agriculture industry growing and strong,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said.  “Agriculture is a major contributor to our province’s economic growth and allows investment in the quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.”

The budget also includes an increased commitment to research and innovation, with a record $27.7 million agriculture research budget, a 104 per cent increase since 2007.  This includes a $3.0 million investment in the Global Institute for Food Security.

In 2013-14, the Ministry of Agriculture will provide $71.2 million for strategic initiatives through the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 framework, an increase of $25 million over the previous framework.  In addition to research, funding will be targeted to areas such as rural water infrastructure, trade and market development and farm business management.  Further details of Growing Forward 2 programming will be announced in April.

“Investments in areas such as research and market development will help us reach our goals of increasing crop production by 10 million tonnes and agriculture exports by 50 per cent, as well as establishing Saskatchewan as a global leader in bio-sciences,” Stewart said.

The 2013-14 Agriculture budget also includes $1.0 million for irrigation bridge rehabilitation to support the long-term growth of irrigation in the province.  In addition, the provincial government will continue to provide industry assistance grants and funding to control pests such as beavers, rats and gophers.

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For more information, contact:

Donna Rehirchuk
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5389
Email: donna.rehirchuk@gov.sk.ca