Department Continues to Address Water Needs
AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Department Continues to Address Water Needs
Agricultural producers in Nova Scotia are being encouraged to think about the possible effect of a dry spring and to consider how to best manage their water for this growing season.
"After four dry summers, Nova Scotia farmers may be looking at similar conditions again," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Environment Canada statistics indicate that May and June precipitation was below normal across the province. It ranged from 75 per cent of normal rainfall at the Halifax International Airport to 94 per cent at the Sydney Airport. In Kings County, which has the highest concentration of farms in Nova Scotia, the rainfall recorded was about 80 per cent of the normal amount.
"The continuing dry conditions increase the importance of recent initiatives supported by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Institute and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration to provide growers with information to reduce the risk posed by lack of rain," said Mr. Fage.
In March the department invited producers to participate in the Scotia Water Workshop to talk about irrigation requirements, existing practices and new methods. More than 120 people -- producers, researchers and regulators -- attended that workshop.
The department has also shared the results of recent studies such as East Flowing Rivers Baseline Water Quality Survey, Water Resources Needs of the Agriculture Industry in the Annapolis Valley, Canard River Irrigation Water Enhancement, and Groundwater of the Cornwallis soils.
"In the early spring, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), a branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, visited Nova Scotia producers to talk one-on-one about water concerns during their month-long stay. The department's water task group will meet with PFRA officials next week to hear feedback from their visit," said Andrew Cameron, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' Water Task Group
In April, PFRA contracted consultants to carry out a water resource assessment on the Habitat and Pereaux watersheds for Kings County.
In an effort to assist producers on the farm, the department and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture will accelerate the Environmental Farm Scan program. A segment of the environmental scan for water management includes water-quality and water-use issues. The department plans to carry out environmental scans on 2000 farms over the next two years.
Recently the department approved funding to provide support for the development of watershed clubs through the Agriculture Water Resource Development (AWARD) program. The AWARD program encourages research in areas of water management. Watershed clubs, although new to Nova Scotia, are quite popular in Quebec. In these clubs, the industry-lead group looks at ways to manage their water issues collectively to find solutions. One of the clubs will be established in the Annapolis Valley area.
To respond to producers with on-farm water management needs, the department has also increased the assistance offered under the Farm Investment Fund. To date, 392 projects have been approved. They represent $1.79 million of assistance to the industry this year for ponds, irrigation equipment, wells and other on-farm projects.
The government of Nova Scotia is committed to working with producers to help them address concerns relating to water-quality and water-quantity issues related to agriculture practices.