An online consultation on Saskatchewan’s priorities for the Next Policy Framework (NPF) has wrapped up.
The survey ran from November 14, 2016 - January 31, 2017 as part of preparations to replace Growing Forward 2 (GF2). GF2 is the current five-year, federal-provincial-territorial agricultural policy framework agreement which will expire in March 2018.
“What 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,” said Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart.
Survey results from more than 880 respondents show trade and access to new markets and growing the value-added/processing sectors are considered the greatest opportunities for Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry.
Consumer perceptions of agriculture and changes to market access are among the greatest risks facing the sector. Almost 75 per cent of the survey responses came from Saskatchewan producers. Other responses came from those who identified themselves as consumers, processors, agribusinesses, researchers and commodity or environmental organizations.
Respondents identified trade advocacy/market access lobbying; basic and applied research projects; farm business and succession planning; water protection and management; access to domestic retail and food service markets; and agricultural awareness events among their top priorities. “There are many important areas in agriculture where provincial and federal funding could help grow and strengthen the sector,” said Stewart.
“We will work with industry to ensure its priorities are supported in the framework.”
Consultations, including discussions on Business Risk Management programs, will continue throughout 2017 to prepare for the rollout of the next framework in spring 2018.
If producers have any further comments or questions on the Next Policy Framework or Growing Forward 2, they can email growingforward2@gov.sk.ca. A further summary of the results is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/GrowingForward2.
