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)
Provincial government confirms previous commitment to provide funding for fruit tree replant program
The 2015/2016 provincial budget released last week will provide a number of new program benefits for BC fruit growers and agriculture in general, while maintaining an agriculture budget expenditure at similar levels to prior years.
Primary for the tree fruit sector, the Replant Program (announced in late November) was confirmed in the budget, with a start for the 2015 planting season.
The program provides growers with a grant of about 25 per cent of the cost of replanting orchards to higher density plantings that are more productive and use less inputs while benefitting the environment.
Adoption of new varieties is essential to the industry’s strategic plan, said Fred Steele, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association.
“I was very pleased to be in Victoria to express my thanks to the provincial Minister of Agriculture for this important program, which will provide close to $8.5 million for replant over the next seven years. This investment helps tree fruit growers sustain their operations and triggers additional investments in the local economy.” commented Fred Steele, President of the BCFGA.
Another initiative of the budget includes an additional $1 million for the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program, providing a benefit to close to half a million school children.
“Adopting healthy eating habits early, in a learning environment, is very effective. Learning this in a school environment will lead to improved eating habits and better health outcomes, plus it encourages youth to support local agriculture and the local economy,” said Steele.
The Buy Local initiative, which promotes consumption of locally produced food, will receive $2 million in funding. Additionally, a new initiative will be developed to give farmers credit for their philanthropic donation of fruits, vegetables and other foods.
“The Minister of Finance clearly wants to help the agriculture sector promote its products and develop an even larger contribution to the provincial economy,” said Steele.
Other initiatives that will benefit agriculture include placing resources ($25 million over three years) to support the new Water Sustainability Act, which will modernize BC water laws, regulate groundwater (water well) use, and strengthen provincial water management in light of growing demands.
Finally, development of a proposed national Cancer Prevention Centre in Vancouver could help promote eating healthy fruit and vegetable that reduce cancer rates.
“Overall, for a ‘stand pat’ budget, there is much to be thankful for in the agriculture sector, and this will in turn help tree fruit growers contribute to the a healthy BC population and increase the economic contribution of tree fruits to the local economy,” Steele said.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Osoyoos Times
