Canada has announced funding for the agriculture and agri-food sector to improve water management decisions.

The goal of this investment is for the Government of Canada to work with private sector partners in developing new risk management tools that help farmers. Announced by Member of Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Francis Drouin, was a $997,654 investment for the South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) to develop a hydrologic model that will provide farmers with real-time weather and water information to help inform water management decisions.

“Helping farmers be better informed in making their water management decisions is good for the sector’s sustainable growth, good for farmers’ bottom lines, and good for the Canadian economy,” said Drouin. “Our Government recognizes that Canadian farmers face risk every day in managing their businesses. This investment is all about giving farmers the tools they need to adjust their farms to a changing climate.”

The 15-month project will construct an integrated groundwater – surface water forecasting model for the South Nation Watershed using “HydroGeoSphere”, which is a Canadian hydrologic simulator that predicts water movement on and through the ground.

“We’re pleased to have this opportunity to develop state-of-the-art technology in predictive modelling. This tool will enhance SNC’s Flood Forecasting and Warning and Low Water Response programs,” said Doug Thompson, SNC past chair. “Supplying the model with real-time data strengthens the reliability of the forecasted watershed conditions and allows SNC to provide advance notice for flood events and drought so farmers can prepare accordingly.”

The platform will become a support to help guide producers’ with water management practices by predicting water events and providing an array of potential mitigation practices.

South Nation Conservation is an agency established under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario in 1947. It is one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, with the mandate to protect and restore regional ecosystems. The authority manages 4,384 km2 of land in Eastern Ontario. The investment is being made through Growing Forward 2’s, AgriRisk Program.

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