George Webster
Minister of Agriculture

Working Toward Sustainable Growth in Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture is committed to work with all sectors of the agriculture and food industry in the province to help ensure its sustainable growth and development, enable it to adapt to change and promote its profitability. The overall goal is to increase the contribution of the province's largest industry to the economy and to the strength and well-being of its rural communities. These goals and objectives are being accomplished through several departmental initiatives.

The department is working closely with the industry to invest in on-farm projects to improve productivity and enhance the environment. These initiatives include financial and technical support for a wide range of on-farm management practices to protect the quality of soil, air and water resources and support biodiversity. Financial compensation is provided to landowners for the contributions they make to provide environmental benefits to the rest of society.

To help support the industry respond to changes in the marketplace, the department provides programs to support short-term, applied research and to encourage innovation. These initiatives are aimed at encouraging greater diversity in the industry and to support value-added production. It is providing financial and business planning support to new and beginning farmers. The department is also supporting the growth of organic production in the province.

Under a federal-provincial agreement, funding is provided to support business risk management programs. These programs help protect producers against loss of production or incomes. The department offers a number of business development programs to help producers implement business management practices and enhance their ability to respond to change.

The department is working in cooperation with an industry-led group to implement the recommendations of a report on the future of agriculture and agri-food in the province.

George Webster
Minister of Agriculture