The Province is supporting B.C.’s farmers, communities and First Nations with a new fund to help with increased planning and preparation for agricultural emergencies, while strengthening food security for British Columbians.

More B.C. farmland is being put back into production, providing increased food security for British Columbians, with more than 4,500 hectares (11,300 acres) leased by new and young farmers through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).

Farmers, fishers, producers and processors in the Lower Mainland will have more opportunities to expand their product lines and market presence with the development of a new commercial food hub in Richmond.

Farmers and ranchers are being supported with a new round of funding to help strengthen their resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat, and mitigate future climate impacts.  

Four B.C. businesses that are developing solutions to help ensure the province’s food systems remain secure, resilient and sustainable are the first to receive funding through the recently launched B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI).

The B.C. government is planning to build a new Plant and Animal Health Centre to provide diagnostic services that support agricultural producers, food safety and the growth of a resilient food system in the province.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, has issued the following statement in support of the B.C. Agriculture Council’s Ag Day: