The government of British Columbia has announced that farmers will receive an additional $70 million to replant and strengthen fruit orchards and vineyards following two years of weather-related disasters.
Premier David Eby has stated that the funding will enhance the province’s existing $15 million Perennial Crop Renewal Program, which was launched last spring to assist over 200 farmers in replacing diseased and unproductive plants.
During a wine industry conference in Penticton, Eby mentioned that the new funding will support approximately 1,000 more producers in rejuvenating their farms.
B.C.’s wine grape growers reported that a cold snap in January obliterated as much as 99 percent of the province’s harvest, a significant setback following another debilitating deep freeze in 2022 and wildfire smoke damage in 2021.
Okanagan fruit growers also suffered significant losses due to the January cold spell, which caused temperatures in Kelowna to plummet to -27 C, resulting in 90 percent losses for stone fruits.
Eby mentioned that the government will also establish a B.C. wine grape sector task force to formulate strategies to assist producers in remaining profitable and resilient in the face of climate change.
Related
- ’Clean slate’ to reshape B.C. wine industry, after climate-related catastrophes
- B.C. wine crop facing 'catastrophic losses' after extreme January cold snap
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