KFA calls added funding good news

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In advance of calling an election this month, the Ford government announced a number of spending initiatives, including an additional $100 million to aid farmers.

The Ontario government is increasing annual funding for its Risk Management Program (RMP) from $150 million to $250 million to enhance support for farmers and the province’s $51-billion agri-food sector, according to provincial officials.

The $100 million increase will support farmers in responding to market challenges while boosting their long-term business confidence and competitiveness.

Jim Brackett, president of the Kent Federation of Agriculture called the funding good news.

“On behalf of the Kent Federation of Ontario and all Ontario farmers, we are happy to hear the announcement of an additional $100 million for the Risk Management Program by our Ontario government,” he told The Voice. “This comes at a perfect time, given the current market instability.”

Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, called Ontario farmers “world class.

“Our government promised farmers we would continue to expand and enhance RMP, and with this historic investment, we have delivered,” he said. “To Ontario’s world-class farmers, know that our government remains focused on strengthening your resilience and competitiveness, no matter what headwinds may come our way.”

The $100 million increase will be phased in over a three-year period, starting with a $30 million increase for the 2025 program year, leading to an annual total of $250 million by the 2027 program year.

Producer premiums will remain at 35 per cent of government funding, and the current phase-in of this will continue.

RMP supports more than 383,000 jobs and $24 billion throughout Ontario’s agri-food supply chain across 8,500 farms which produce cattle, hogs, sheep, veal, grains and oilseeds, as well as edible horticulture through the Self-Directed Risk Management stream.

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