â–º Listen Live
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Province allocates 80-million dollars to assist farmers dealing with drought conditions

Farmers across the province will be better equipped to deal with drought thanks to additional supports to help manage, collect and store water for crops and livestock.

The province announced today (Friday), farmers can access an additional 80-million dollars through the Agricultural Water Infrastructure Program to help make irrigation more efficient.

These actions help benefit stream flows, fish populations and assist with more sustainable food production.

In addition, Hope Farm Organics, located northeast of Prince George has been able to increase its water supply through the program, allowing them to grow more fruits and vegetables.

“With uncertain times in changing climate patterns and weather extremes, the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program helped our vegetable and fruit farm become more resilient in the face of these extremes,” said Andrew Adams, owner, Hope Farm Organics. “This resilience has given me the confidence to continue developing and expanding our crops into the future, which ultimately will help improve British Columbia’s food security and the sustainability of our farm. Water is life.”

Launched in June 2023, with an initial $20-million fund, the program is funding 108 projects ranging from water storage, such as agricultural dams and dugouts, to improved water-supply systems for irrigation and livestock. It’s expected the additional funding will benefit hundreds more farmers.

“Climate change is impacting both water and food security for people in British Columbia, making it challenging for farmers’ livelihoods and affecting local food systems,” said Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food.

“This is why we’re providing enhanced support to improve on-farm and community water infrastructure so we can grow more food and ensure proper water management during potential floods and drought.”

Something going on in the Bulkley Valley Lakes District you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Continue Reading

cfbv Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Latest News

Report makes six recommendations on event safety after Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

A report commissioned by the B.C. government after a deadly attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver makes a number of recommendations to improve security at public events.

Shoreline health survey being conducted at Francois Lake

Francois Lake’s shoreline is getting a checkup this summer...

B.C. SPCA welcomes proposed ban on exotic cats

The B.C. SPCA is welcoming proposed regulations from the B.C. government to ban all exotic cat species. 

RCMP seeking two men after explosion outside MLA Bowinn Ma’s North Van office

RCMP have released images of two men they believe were involved in an explosion last month in North Vancouver, which damaged the front door of the building housing the constituency office of B.C. NDP MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma.

Smithers Hamhuis to be inducted into BC Hockey Hall of Fame

Dan Hamhuis walked through every door that came open...
- Advertisement -