An online consultation on Saskatchewan鈥檚 priorities for the Next Policy Framework (NPF) wrapped up on March 20. The survey ran from November 14, 2016 to January 31 as part of preparations to replace Growing Forward 2 (GF2). GF2 is the current five-year, federal-provincial-territorial agricultural policy framework agreement set to expire in March 2018.
鈥淲hat we heard from our farmers, ranchers, industry members and the public through this survey will ensure we can focus our efforts and meet the needs of our agriculture industry,鈥� said Lyle Stewart. Minister of Agriculture. Survey results from 887 respondents show trade and access to new markets and growing the value-added/processing sectors are considered the greatest opportunities for Saskatchewan鈥檚 agriculture industry. Consumer perceptions of agriculture and changes to market access are among the greatest risks facing the sector. Almost three-quarters of respondents identified themselves as Saskatchewan producers and others indicated they were consumers, processors, agribusinesses, researchers and commodity or environmental organizations.
Of producers, 52 per cent grew crops, 26 per cent were livestock producers, 18 per cent were mixed farmers, and under three per cent produce vegetables, dairy, honey and poultry and eggs. Among the top priorities for the Saskatchewan agriculture industry in the next five to 10 years, respondents identified trade advocacy and market access lobbying, growing value-added/processing sector, innovative crop and livestock production and/or management systems, as the top three. 鈥淭here are many important areas in agriculture where provincial and federal funding could help grow and strengthen the sector,鈥� said Stewart. 鈥淲e will work with industry to ensure its priorities are supported in the framework.鈥�
The agreement provides $71.2 million annually for innovation, competitiveness and market development in the agriculture sector and also supports Business Risk Management programming. Consultations, including discussions on Business Risk Management programs, will continue throughout 2017 to prepare for the rollout of the next framework in spring 2018.
