Horticulture Diversification Program supports P.E.I. producers

A farm on Prince Edward Island full with crops. (Jack Morse/CTV Atlantic)

Prince Edward Island horticulture producers are eligible to apply for a new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) program to promote crop diversity, adapt to climate change and supply markets across Canada.

The Horticulture Diversification Program supports producers through four eligible activity streams:

• Season Extension and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Expansion
• Efficiency and Productivity
• Post-Harvest Cooling, Freezing, and Storage
• Agronomic Support

Minister of Agriculture Heath MacDonald said the program is for new tools to grow and store crops and produce food all year long.

“Our Island producers are always coming up with new ways to adapt to changing climates and take advantage of new market opportunities,” MacDonald said.

The program supports growth opportunities including:

• expanding greenhouses and controlled environment agriculture
• adopting technologies and processes to increase efficiency and productivity
• expanding and improving crop storage to extend the marketing season

The federal, provincial and territorial governments are spending $3.5 billion over five years on Sustainable CAP initiatives, said a Friday news release. The new program is part of the larger suite of Sustainable CAP initiatives available to Prince Edward Island producers.

The Sustainable CAP agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion that in cost-shared funding – 60 per cent federal and 40 per cent provincial/territorial.

Guidelines for the Horticulture Diversification Program are available on the website.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.