If you’re looking for information on irrigation programming, please visit our Irrigation Program webpage.
Saskatchewan's climate makes it appealing for irrigation development, as moisture is the main limitation to agriculture in most areas of the province. Those areas with semi-arid climates are restricted in the types of crops that can be grown and the number of livestock that can be supported per unit of land. Irrigation has been used as a tool to diversify the rural economy and to stabilize crop production.
Developing an irrigation project may be complex, as a number of ministries and agencies are involved. The Ministry of Agriculture can assist producers in navigating some of the complexities the producer may encounter.
If you choose not to leverage the Ministry of Agriculture service, you will need to complete several steps before irrigation construction. A resource document with information about which documents are required for your project will soon be available. Other specific requirements may become apparent as you develop your project and, as such, this may not be a complete list as it relates to your project. Please consult the list of associated ministries and agencies you may need to consult with prior to construction under the related items at the bottom of this page for more information.
Why is the process required?
The Ministry of Agriculture will assist you with your irrigation development to ensure that you are meeting all of the regulatory requirements related to Irrigation Development in Saskatchewan. The legislation and regulations are in place to ensure that we are protecting our natural resources, such as land and water.
Developing an irrigation project is complex and depends on a number of variables which can take a significant amount of time to complete. The development of an irrigation project can take anywhere from between four to 24 months to complete.
Initial requirements:
In order to qualify for technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture, your proposed project should be at least four hectares (10 acres) in an area with sufficient water for an annual allocation based on availability, seven years in 10 for intensive projects and a five years in 10 for non-intensive projects. Water availability is determined by the Water Security Agency.
Funding is available through the Irrigation Development Program and the Irrigation Environmental Efficiency Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) agreement. For more information, please visit the Sustainable CAP Irrigation Program webpages.
Note: Effluent irrigation projects have different requirements. All permits and approvals for effluent irrigation must be obtained through the Water Security Agency. To learn more about the regulatory requirements for effluent irrigation projects, contact your local environmental project officer or the engineering approvals section of the Water Security Agency by email.