Stabilization funding for PEI potato sector

Jul 20, 2022

The federal government has announced a Potato Stabilization and Innovation Initiative for Prince Edward Island potato growers that will cover the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years.

To qualify, growers must be either a table or seed potato grower, or a key supplier to the potato sector operating on Prince Edward Island, and must be able to show impacts resulting from the imposed restrictions on the movement of P.E.I. potatoes. An applicant could also be a non-profit organization or provincial entity providing support to the P.E.I. potato sector.

Here are samples of what the funding could support:

investing in automation and technology that increase a business’ productivity and competitiveness
improving storage to increase product quality and lifespan
modifying packaging (changing volume of bags, packaging preferences, etc.)
developing equipment or technology that manages pests or disease
creating value-added products, including those that make use of byproducts or processing waste
investing in new markets or market expansions.

Source : The Grower

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.