By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
BC berry, wine grape and tree fruit producers are set to receive support for the second year to replant their farms, vineyards and orchards with climate-resilient fruit, the Province said on Tuesday (Oct. 21).
The five-year Enhanced Replant Program is aimed at supporting BC’s fruit and wine sectors as producers adapt to shifting markets and growing conditions with a goal of replanting approximately 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of perennial fruit plants.
The support is helping growers replace low-producing vines, plants and trees with varieties that produce premium fruit that consumers demand, the Province said.
“Our tree fruit, wine and berry growers do more than produce delicious food,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.
“They sustain communities and help drive our local and provincial economies. This support helps them to bounce back from climate impacts and ensures British Columbians can keep enjoying the fresh, local fruit and wine that make our province unique.”
The intake is expected to support the replanting of approximately 809.4 hectares (2,000 acres) this year with four streams opening to match their growing cycle this fall: Berry, tree fruit and wine grape replants along with berry removal.
The initiative aided about 200 projects in 2024, resulting in approximately 809.4 hectares (2,000 acres) of unproductive or damaged trees and vines being removed and replanted with new varieties.
For The View Winery, a Kelowna-based, family-owned winery the replant funding enabled the fifth-generation estate to make a switch to a hardier Chardonnay grape and one that it had not previously had in its portfolio.
“The funding we received through the Enhanced Replant Program enabled us to replace a less cold-hardy grape variety with Chardonnay vines, which are better suited to withstand the extreme cold-weather events that have become more common in our region,” said Jennifer Molgat, president of Kelowna-based The View Winery.
“We are thrilled to add Chardonnay to our portfolio and are thankful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for its support.”
And in the Fraser Valley Kahlon Farms has been growing raspberries, blueberries and strawberries for some 40 years and it too took advantage of the opportunity to replant new varieties, helping reposition themselves to meet market needs.
“Plant removal and replanting cost can be a significant barrier to converting berry plantings to climate-adaptable, disease-resistant and higher-yielding varieties,” said Sukh Kahlon, owner, Kahlon Farms. “The Enhanced Replant Program has played a crucial role in maintaining berry industry competitiveness.”
“Perennial crop renewal requires faith and commitment,” observed Peter Simonsen, president, BC Fruit Growers’ Association. “In this ever-changing and challenging climate and retail environment, it is essential that British Columbia tree fruit growers continue to be on the varietal and productive leading edge.
“The investment stimulus created by the enhanced replant shows a commitment to our industry and to the promise of the agricultural land reserve,” he said.
The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. For more information about the Enhanced Replant Program and how to apply, visit: iafbc.ca/enhanced-replant-program
