This is National Soil Conservation week across Canada, and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said he would like to see more on-farm soil conservation projects this coming year.
"Under the Agriculture and Environmental Resources Conservation program, the provincial government committed more than $1.0 million last year for on-farm projects to help improve the productivity and sustainability of farm operations, and that same amount has been allocated again this year," said Mr. Hammill. "The establishment of buffer zones, and the adoption of additional measures to prevent agricultural runoff into streams means we have to do more to prevent the erosion of our most important natural resource, the land."
Mr. Hammill said that more than 600 farmers have completed Environmental Farm Plans, 200 of those since the beginning of this year. "Producers are doing a good job in protecting our environment, but many are not getting enough credit for their efforts," he said. "During National Soil Conservation Week, I would like to recognize those who have implemented the actions identified in their Environmental Farm Plans."
Mr. Hammill said that the Prince Edward Island Food Strategy is based on the production and marketing of high quality products from sustainably managed resources, and that soil conservation is a key component of sustainability.
"Despite the efforts made by government and industry over the years, soil erosion still continues to be a major problem, and I am confident that an increased number of producers will be implementing on-farm projects this coming year with the financial and technical assistance being provided through my department," said Mr. Hammill.