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Newfoundland invests $2.75M for land development to increase potato production

Newfoundland and Labrador will invest $2.75 million in funding for land development to increase large-scale potato production.

The investment is part of a nearly $13 million funding announcement to create jobs in the province’s agriculture sector and assist farmers and producers. The $13 million in funding is part of a plan to support employment in rural communities and help open new markets and products for renewable resource-based businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“This plan will enhance measures already in place to support food self-sufficiency,” said Premier Dwight Ball. “Whether it is helping commercial farmers diversify their crops, making more Crown land available and accessible for farming, or conducting innovative crop research and enhancing local beef production, we are committed to supporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture sector well into the future.”

In 2019, according to Statistics Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador seeded 325 acres of potatoes. The province seeded 350 acres in 2018 and 2017.

Its maritime neighbours, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick seeded 1,600 and 16,400 acres in 2019 respectively. Prince Edward Island, known as Canada’s top potato producing province, seeded 85,500 acres in 2019.

In addition to setting aside $2.75 million to increase large-scale potato production, funding will also be allocated to the following provincial programs:

• $3.5 million to increase local beef production and determine support for local secondary beef processing facilities;
• $1.5 million for regional equipment banks to assist new farming entrants;
• $1.4 million for road construction to improve access to agricultural Areas of Interest;
• $1.25 million to support proposals for regional vegetable cold storage facilities;
• $1 million to construct a greenhouse complex at the Western Agriculture Centre Research Station at Pynn’s Brook;
• $1.01 million for critical equipment at the Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development at Wooddale to expand activities to support the agriculture sector;
• $300,000 for training and supports for the beekeeping industry; and
• $100,000 to support agricultural virtual market opportunities.

Funding for these initiatives is expected to generate at least 250 seasonal and permanent jobs in the agriculture sector. Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture industry, including secondary processing, is valued at $500 million and employs more than 5,000 people, according to the government’s release.

“With access to safe, healthy food on everyone’s minds, Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture sector is navigating through challenging times,” said Gerry Byrne, minister of fisheries and land resources. “These innovative, practical initiatives address real needs in the agriculture sector – the need for regional equipment banks so farmers can borrow tools and machinery, new roads to provide easier access to agricultural land, and vegetable cold storage and red-meat processing facilities to help increase markets and profits. With a new growing season upon us, I’m pleased to offer a suite of initiatives tailor-made to support and advance our province’s agriculture sector.”