Victoria (Rural Roots Canada) – Farmers and communities across British Columbia are getting more help to secure their water supplies as drought continues to be a challenge.
The province’s Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program has opened a new round of applications for funding to support the management, delivery, and storage of water for agricultural purposes. The program, administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF), helps farms and communities build or upgrade infrastructure to ensure long-term access to water while supporting food production and local ecosystems.
“With a changing climate, drought is an ongoing concern to the success of our agricultural communities,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, in a release. “That’s why we’re continuing to help B.C.’s farmers and ranchers access water with new and improved equipment, storage facilities and other technologies that keep crops growing and producing the food we all rely on and enjoy.”
One project already underway involves the Douglas Lake Cattle Company, which is expanding its long-term water supply at the historic Gang Ranch in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. The new infrastructure will bring 400 additional hectares of land back into production.
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“We’ve been able to significantly improve our water-storage capacity in an area that is both water-scarce and drought-prone,” said Phil Braig, general manager at Douglas Lake Cattle Company. “These much-needed upgrades have allowed us to meet B.C. dam-safety regulation requirements and ensure a reliable, long-term water supply for our livestock and operations.”
The government says smaller family operations are also benefiting, citing Little Valley Farms in Vanderhoof, run by Ken and Carol Fawcett and their four daughters. The operation has upgraded its water systems to better withstand drought.
“In the past 20 years, we’ve experienced nine droughts, forcing us to reduce herd numbers and lose production,” said Fawcett. “With this program, we’re able to take steps to improve access to water for our crops and our livestock, safeguarding our operation.”
Municipal projects are also part of the mix. The city of Delta is using program funding to build a second irrigation intake from the Fraser River and upgrade culverts, which will increase irrigation capacity and boost crop protection during dry summers.
Since 2023, the program has supported almost 700 projects.
The current intake for applications runs until December 18, 2025.
For details and to apply for the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program, you can visit the website.
