By Alice McFarlane

More money for agriculture in Saskatchewan budget

Mar 24, 2022 | 9:57 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – There was a 19.5 per cent increase in the agriculture portion of the budget released in the Saskatchewan legislature yesterday.

Agriculture minister David Marit said a large portion of that will go to fund the additional costs associated with crop insurance.

Grains and oilseeds prices continue to rise causing higher premiums for farmers and government.

Marit said his department’s budget is $422.4 million with roughly $340 million going to business risk management programs.

“More than $250 million of that is for crop insurance on the premium side, which is our contribution,” Marit said.

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Agriculture research is also getting an increase to $33.8 million. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan will receive $2 million.

“To look at how we communicate the agriculture sectors contribution to improving environmental outcomes, we’ve got to tell the story the right way and we need the science behind it,” Marit said. “We need someone like GIFS that has the reputation, not only in Canada, but globally, that have a great reputation of telling the right story.”

Marit said there will be roughly $2.5 million in support of irrigation development.

Starting April 1 there will be some adjustments to the Provincial Sales Tax on farming and agriculture. Marit said there will be a PST exemption to on-farm digging of dugouts.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) President Ian Boxall said his organization is supportive of the budget.

He said APAS is pleased with programs geared towards helping agriculture thrive in Saskatchewan.

“Given the higher crop values and crop production costs, we are especially appreciative to see the increase in crop insurance coverage for 2022-23,” Boxall said. “Producers are coming off of a historic drought and heading into one of the most unpredictable years on record. It’s important for the provincial government to support producers in case another drought is on the way this summer.”

Boxall said new investments in research, irrigation, and PST measures to support agriculture were welcomed.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) was pleased with the increased spending for rural communities especially after difficulties created by the pandemic and weather events.

SARM President Ray Orb said the investments in the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth Program of $22.5 million, including $7.5 million in stimulus funding were appreciated.

“This will help RMs maintain and improve economically strategic municipal roads and bridges that support agriculture, energy, forestry, and other rural-based sectors,” Orb said.

The government announced $337 million in information and communications technology infrastructure. Orb said he hoped this would reach rural residents to contribute to a network of reliable, and affordable broadband across this province.

Orb said continued funding to help reduce rural crime was also good news.

“SARM appreciates the noteworthy investments of $50.7 million to create a Provincial Protective Services branch and a $2.5 million increase for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency,” Orb said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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