By Dave Baxter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Sun
March 31, 2022
The provincial and the federal governments say it will now be easier for Manitoba producers who suffer financial hardship due to drought to access funds because of changes they have made to the AgriRecovery Drought Assistance Program.
This week the province and the government of Canada announced that they are making adjustments to the program that they said will make it easier for producers to receive funding, and that will also enhance financial compensation.
Drought conditions plagued Manitoba producers during last year’s growing season, with the province seeing record-low precipitation levels and the driest July on record, with just 8.5 millimetres of rain falling in July — the 30-year average for the month is 75.8 millimetres.
This left many growers to deal with withering crops and others with an inability to feed and maintain their livestock.
“Manitoba producers are working hard, and our government is committed to ensuring they are fully supported during this difficult time,” federal Minister of Agriculture Claude Bibeau said in a Wednesday news release.
“By making these changes to the AgriRecovery program in the province, we are making it easier for them to access funding that will help them when they need it most.”
According to the province, the changes will include adjusting previous claims automatically so clients do not need to reapply, and eliminating the “producer share” for applicants, which they said will increase payments to each applicant.
There will also be an increase in the maximum payment for head for cattle, bison, elk and horses, which the province said will allow producers who have already received the maximum amount of compensation to now receive additional payments.
“We know producers need some additional support after last year’s drought, and these changes are the best way to accomplish that while staying within the parameters of the AgriRecovery program,” Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson said.
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“This will help producers receive additional funding in a timely way so they can get the support they need as soon as possible.”
Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
