CITYnews halifax : ‘We’re keeping an eye’ on potential drought: N.S. Agriculture Minister

CITYnews halifax / By Steve Gow

The Nova Scotia government is wary of potential drought coming this summer even as it hands out millions of dollars to farmers still dealing with last year’s disasterous crops.

The province says 2025’s drought was one of the worst in generations, and created financial struggles for many farms around Nova Scotia.

As a result, it is teaming up with Ottawa to provide $25-million in funding to help dairy, beef, sheep, and wild blueberry farmers cover the costs from last year’s dry spell.

Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow says the joint disaster relief package announced Thursday is the largest one the province has delivered since he took office in 2021.

“We are continuing to work with our federal partners on developing the guidelines for the application,” says Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow, adding producers will be advised when applications open. “I don’t have a firm date but I will say it is imminent – we want to get this in the hands of industry as soon as possible.”

The relief package from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will contribute up to $15 million of eligible program costs, while the Nova Scotia government will add up to $10 million.

Morrow adds the government is also keeping a close watch on the summer ahead, noting that farmers are expecting similar drought-like conditions this year.

“As recently as today, I spoke with a farmer and I asked him what the situation was like and he said, it’s still dry this year from last year,” says Morrow. “We’re keeping an eye on it in our department (and) we’ll continue to move on and support where we can.”

He says the province has already taken steps to address potential drought with a previously announced $6.3 million fund to support projects that address drought and water shortages.

“It’s a very popular program and it does good things for local organizations, non-profits and municipalities,” says Morrow of the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. “We expect there to be a big uptake in that program as well.”