New service for province’s agrifoods industry

B.C.’s farmers can discover and stay up-to-date on programs and services

B.C.’s farmers can discover and stay up-to-date on programs and services offered by both the federal and provincial governments.

AgPal offers B.C. farmers, producers, and food processors information and links to application details for accessing about 70 federal and provincial government programs that, among other things, offer funding to help the province’s food producers reach new markets, adopt new technology and develop more sustainable operations, as well as access insurance programs for weather-related losses.

AgPal was launched by the federal government in 2012 to respond to farmers’ requests for one website with consistent and trustworthy information on government programs and services.

AgPal offers custom search functions that can help producers access funding using program category and industry sector filters to match their needs.

B.C. is the fifth province to join AgPal, following Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia.

AgPal also includes Farm Credit Canada, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (food labeling), and Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency programs.

Growing Forward 2 is a five-year agreement launched in 2013 that provides a $3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development.

 

Vernon Morning Star