New program helps fruit, berry and grape producers

The B.C. government has announced a new program that it says will revitalize tree-fruit, berry and other types of production while supporting food security.

The Perennial Crop Renewal Program will provide as much as $15 million to support multiple sectors with potential agronomic and market opportunities. Funding will help farmers adapt to environmental and market conditions by supporting the removal, diversification or planting of perennial crops.

The amount of funding and project goals will vary by sector. Examples of crops eligible for the program include apples, cherries, grapes, raspberries, blueberries and hazelnuts.

“The Perennial Crop Renewal Program is about renewal and ensuring our farmers are profitable and have sustainable production in the long run,” Pam Alexis, minister of agriculture and food, said. “Our producers have faced recent challenges, such as extreme weather and disease, and by supporting them so they can plant more resilient, climate-friendly crops, we will improve their bottom line and strengthen both the food economy and food security in B.C.”

Tree-fruit growers will also benefit from an additional $1 million of tree-fruit market development support to increase the competitiveness and profitability of B.C. apples in domestic and export markets.

“Tree-fruit growers in B.C. appreciate the investment in food security and ensuring that growers have the resources to renew their orchards,” Sukhdeep Brar, vice-president, BC Fruit Growers’ Association, said.

The Perennial Crop Renewal Program and the tree-fruit market-development funding will be administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF).

Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, said the NDP government is committed to stabilizing the B.C. tree-fruit sector, while looking at ways to increase their competitiveness both domestically and globally.

“By providing $1 million to focus primarily on new marketing opportunities for our iconic apple sector, along with the increased environmental and economic stability that will come from the Perennial Crop Renewal Program, we are setting up B.C. farmers and growers for a bright future. This will help farmers across the province, including farmers right here in the Okanagan,” Sandhu said.

The Perennial Crop Renewal Program will replace individual programs, such as the raspberry replant program and hazelnut renewal program, previously funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Applications and more details for the Perennial Crop Renewal Program are available online: www.iafb.ca/pcrp