Budget Bulletin: Changing with the Times in Agriculture

Agriculture has always been an important part of the Nova Scotia economy. In some parts of the province, the strength of the local economy depends on a strong agricultural sector. Across Nova Scotia, 16,000 people rely on agriculture for their living.

Just as Nova Scotia's agriculture industry has kept up with changing technology and market forces, the Department of Agriculture and Marketing is changing to meet the increasingly sophisticated and global needs of today's farmers.

To encourage new levels of growth in the industry, the department will focus on providing development programs and decrease one-on-one specialist and consultation services. Support will be directed to industry groups, rather than individuals, empowering farm groups to effectively address challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.

The department is consolidating its 12 local offices into five regional service centres in Antigonish, Kentville, Sydney, Truro, and Weymouth. Agricultural representatives will be reduced in line with office reductions, and production-based specialist positions will be eliminated.

With these changes, the department will provide funding to some industry organizations to assist them in hiring specialists to address their commodity-specific needs. (A commodity is a specific agricultural product, such as blueberries or beef.) Funding will also be provided to enable individual farmers and producers to access specialists as needed.

New Entrants Program

Access to capital is a significant hurdle for people wishing to start a farming business. Given the importance of food production, the department recognizes the need to attract and support new and young farmers. The New Entrants Program is designed to provide this support by offering interest relief to people just entering the agriculture business. Funding for this program is set at $600,000 in 2000-01.

Improving the Safety Net

Provincial funding for assistance to farmers hurt by such unforeseen conditions as market downturns and drought has increased to $4.8 million. These programs are cost shared with the federal government and provide assistance when these conditions cause income levels to drop.

NOTE: For other 2000-01 budget information, visit the Department of Finance website at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .