The Department of Agriculture has extended a program to increase and support bee production in Nova Scotia. Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell and federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced the extension today, March 10.
“Bees pollinate all of the crops in our province, such as blueberry, apple and cranberry,” said Mr.
Colwell. “When we invest in bee production, we invest in every aspect of our agricultural industry.”
“Government understands the fundamental role bees play in keeping Canadian agriculture strong,” said Mr. Ritz. “Investing in a heathy bee population supports farmers, grows the industry and contributes to our overall economy.”
The Pollination Expansion Program provides assistance to beekeepers to increase honeybee colony numbers by increasing or purchasing bees, queens, brood combs, frames and equipment.
The program was first introduced in 2012 as a three-year initiative to increase the number of hives available for pollination services in the province by 4000 colonies.
The Pollination Expansion Program will be funded under Growing Forward 2, the five-year framework agreement for agriculture, which is cost-shared 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.
Funding of $150,000 will be available during the 2015-16 fiscal year, with a $25,000 cap per applicant.
Based on the applications for 2014-15, the applicants are on target to exceed the initial goal of 4,000 new hives, helping Nova Scotia grow its entire agricultural industry.
“I was very happy to see the Pollination Expansion Program extended this year,” said Paul Kittilsen, president of the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association. “This program gives beekeepers the opportunity to increase their hive numbers to keep up with the ever-growing pollination demand in our province.”
For more information or to apply for the program, visit novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/financial-funding/ .
Source: Release