South Okanagan fruit grower Pinder Dhaliwal (left) and Fred Steele, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, see the new seven-year replant program as good news for growers in Oliver and Osoyoos. Last Friday, Premier Christy Clark said the replant program supports growers’ efforts to meet consumer demands for high-quality fruit. The government has committed $8.4 million to the association over the next seven years. (Photo supplied)
The BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) is a happy group of farmers now that the provincial government has delivered on its promise of a long-term replant program.
Association president Fred Steele said the recent announcement of $8.4 million for a seven-year program is good news.
“The program matches the long-term nature of growing apples and cherries, as well as soft fruits, and it is not only appreciated, it is essential to our future.”
Last Friday, Premier Christy Clark said the replant program supports growers’ efforts to meet consumer demands for high-quality fruit.
The BCFGA had been pushing hard for a long-term commitment from the provincial government for a long time.
“It’s about providing certainty for B.C. fruit growers and making sure we continue to showcase the best tree fruits in the world,” she said.
Beginning April 1, 2015, through to the 2021 season, growers will be able to apply for the new program.
It is estimated that more than 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of orchards will be replanted over the next seven years, providing 2,600 jobs each year in the Okanagan.
“We are proud of the heritage of B.C.’s tree fruit industry and we look forward to continuing our partnership in promoting high-value, high-quality B.C. fruit so our growers can earn more dollars,” said Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick.
Oliver grower Pinder Dhaliwal sees the seven-year replant program as very beneficial to farmers.
“It will make sure growers have the opportunity to focus on and plant newer varieties to give more value (in what they grow).”
Dhaliwal, vice-president of the growers’ association, said the most important benefit of the program is the fact it allows growers to plan ahead.
“When you look at your orchard, you can plan for your 2016 replanting and not worry about the funds running out.”
Dhaliwal said the program also benefits tree fruit nurseries by allowing them to tailor to what growers need.
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson said the government and local growers work hard to ensure the replant program remains in place.
“B.C. fruit production is a major economic driver in our region, with products grown right here in the South Okanagan, Boundary and Similkameen exported to markets in Asia, Europe and across North America. I am pleased to see this program extended,” Larson said.
Replant program applications and criteria will soon be available on the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association website.
The new program builds on the recent success of growers who replanted low-value orchards with high-demand varieties such as Ambrosia apples and late-season cherries.
British Columbia growers produced Canada’s second-largest tree fruit crop in 2013, generating almost $103 million in farm cash receipts.
In 2013, B.C. growers produced more than 103,000 tons of tree fruits including apples, sweet cherries, peaches, pears, plums/prunes, nectarines and apricots.
That was almost a quarter of the total Canadian production.
Last year B.C. exported $41.7 million in cherries with the top markets in Hong Kong, United States, Taiwan and China.
Apple exports have increased almost 30 per cent in the past two years. Last year B.C. exported $19.1 million in apples.
The B.C. tree fruit packing industry has just completed more than $5 million in upgrades to its fruit packing equipment to help packinghouses modernize.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
