Ag producers managing climate change effects may be eligible for assistance

A program initiated by the Government of Saskatchewan aims to help reduce the impact of climate change in the province. Titled the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP), the program will provide funding to eligible producers who improve the environmental resiliency of agricultural land using a beneficial management practice (BMP).

A BMP is any agricultural management practice ensuring the long-term health and sustainably of agricultural land that positively impacts economic viability and minimizes environmental risks.

The short- and long-term consequences of climate change remain speculative, but effects are likely to include drought, soil erosion, water quality issues, and a decline in biodiversity.

To mitigate these risks, producers can take actions such as strategically planting trees in agricultural zones. To provide financial assistance, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) has launched RALP along with other programs as part of a five-year, $485 million investment launched April 1, 2023, by the provincial and federal government.