Released on June 15, 2020
The 2020-21 Budget continues to provide strong support for agriculture, including $10 million to help livestock producers manage the impacts of COVID-19 related market disruptions.
“The agriculture sector is an important driver of our provincial economy and our government is making investments to help producers meet the challenges they currently face,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “Supporting our producers remains a priority for this government and the investments announced in this budget will help ensure that the agriculture sector remains strong.”
As announced in May 2020, support for livestock producers in this budget includes $5.0 million for Saskatchewan’s share of the costs associated with participation in the national AgriRecovery set-aside program and $5.0 million to partially offset higher premium costs under Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP). These investments will help ensure livestock producers have the necessary supports they require during this unprecedented period.
The $363.9 million Agriculture budget includes $71.2 million for strategic programs under the five-year, federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) agreement, and $244.3 million to fully fund business risk management programs, including Crop Insurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest and WLPIP.
The Government of Saskatchewan will also invest $32.9 million in agricultural research through CAP. The $1.0 million increase in agriculture research will allow the ministry to invest more in supporting research that benefits Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry.
Additionally, the ministry budget continues to support a number of industry organizations, including the Agricultural Health and Safety Network, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan 4-H Council and Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, among others.
The Growth Plan 2030 includes a number of goals for agriculture including expanding irrigation, increasing crop production to 45 million tonnes, increasing livestock cash receipts to $3.0 billion and expanding agri-food exports to $20 billion. Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan is a roadmap for a strong economy, strong communities and strong families, to build a stronger Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Charlotte McGraw
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: charlotte.mcgraw@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-7833