Sask farmers, ranchers get cash for water management
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The new program aims to help offset some of the costs associated with water management. Photo: File
Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers have $700,000 flowing their way from the Water Security Agency (WSA), in an effort to improve responsible agricultural management projects such as watersheds. The pilot program is being labeled as the Agricultural Water Management Fund.
“Effective water management may be one of the most important factors driving Saskatchewan’s growth in the next 20 years,” Jeremy Cockrill, minister responsible for the WSA said.
The WSA says that “responsible drainage is an important risk management tool for producers, allowing for improved efficiency and profitability, while managing impacts to water quality, flooding and wetland habitat.”
According to Cockrill, the funding is an attempt to address barriers producers might experience when trying to implement safe and healthy watersheds, as well as protecting infrastructure.
WSA says these barriers producers face can range from costs associated, with technical engineering work, mitigation, rehabilitation works, or technical expertise from professionals. The aim of the program is to offset some of these costs.
“This funding will help many producers across Saskatchewan responsibly manage water challenges and help advance more coordinated agricultural water management projects that will benefit everyone,” Myles Thorpe, Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Association president said.
Farmers and ranchers can receive up to $95,000 per project.
