British Columbia’s tree fruit growers looking to replant orchards with high-value, high-quality fruit varieties in 2017 can apply for B.C. government funding now.

The funding is part of the B.C. government’s seven-year, $9.4-millon tree fruit replant program to help B.C. growers plan and take advantage of local and international market opportunities for high-value B.C. apples and cherries.

The program received a million-dollar boost in June 2016, which will result in about 25 additional farmers replanting 120 hectares this year, and more in the years to come. At least 647 hectares (1,600 acres) will be replanted under the program by 2021, providing more than 2,600 jobs each year for the Okanagan.  

Application packages are available at:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/treefruit-replant-program

B.C. growers produced Canada’s largest tree fruit crop in 2015, with more than 124,000 tonnes of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums/prunes, nectarines and apricots grown and marketed. The total represents close to one-third of Canadian production and $117 million in farm cash receipts.

Increasing production, driving competitiveness, and building markets are three key priorities of the B.C. Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan that has an overall goal of growing the B.C. agrifoods sector to a $15-billion-a-year industry by 2020.

Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick –

“B.C. tree fruit growers recognize the opportunities are there for selling premium B.C. products locally and around the world, and our long-term replant program is helping them do it. Growers interested in B.C. government funding to 2017 replants can begin that process today.”

BC Fruit Growers’ Association president Fred Steele –

“The tree fruit replant program continues to revitalize our industry, in this third year of its operation. The program helps growers to retool and survive during the first five years after tree fruit is planted, as the trees mature before there is a crop. We thank the Province for the foresight to preserve tree fruit production and investment into the future of the tree fruit sector in B.C.”

Learn More:

November 2014 news release announcing the seven-year replant program:
https://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/11/bc-tree-fruit-sector-to-benefit-with-sustainable-long-term-replant-program.html

June 2016 news release announcing additional $1 million in program funding: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016AGRI0029-000911

BC Fruit Growers’ Association: http://www.bcfga.com/

B.C. Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/strategic-growth-plan.pdf