The province is making cash available for fruit growers to grow their businesses, and to deal with a backlog of money owing.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced a new $5 million Tree Fruit Competitiveness Fund. However, much of the money has to be given to farmers on a waitlist of another program, so $2 million of the “new” fund was already spoken for prior to the announcement. Whatever’s left will be sprinkled out over a four-to-five year period.
Farmers who successfully apply for the funding will have to spend it on equipment, research, marketing and replanting.
“Our producers provide amazing apples, cherries and tree fruits, and this fund is intended to ensure that continues,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “This investment shows that we are responding to the needs of tree fruit growers and are committed to helping them grow the outstanding quality and variety of fruit that B.C. is known for.”
