Federal government helps farm loan agency to deal with COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 24, 2020

OTTAWA - Farm Credit Canada is getting support from the federal government that will boost its lending capacity by $5 billion to help farmers and food processors cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government says the change will give flexibility to farmers who face cash flow problems and help processors that have lost sales.

The government says eligible farmers who have a loan due under the Advance Payments Program on or before April 30 will also get an additional six months to repay the loan.

The government says that represents $173 million in deferred loans.

Farmers who have outstanding interest-free loans will be able to apply for an additional $100,000 interest-free portion in financing for 2020-21, as long as their total advances under the Advance Payments Program remain under a $1 million cap.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says helping farmers and producers is important for the country.

"Farmers and food producers work hard to put food on tables across our country, and they should not have to worry about being able to afford their loan payments or having enough money to support their own families," he said in a statement.

"We are taking action now to give them more flexibility to meet the challenges ahead in these times of uncertainty."

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said farmers are continuing to supply food for grocery stores.

"Their continued work is essential to our plan to manage COVID-19," she said in the news release.

The Advance Payments Program is a financial loan guarantee program that provides producers access to credit through cash advances. More than 21,000 producers participated in the program in 2019 and received more than $3 billion, the federal government says.

Farm Credit Canada is a Crown corporation that operates a loan portfolio of more than $38 billion, giving farmers and food businesses financing, management software and information to help their operations.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture also applauded the government for clarifying travel restrictions that would have affected temporary foreign workers arriving in the country to help with the planting season.

"Farmers are pleased to see the government respond so promptly to the looming shortage of agri-food workers and we are committed to working with all the appropriate agencies and departments to ensure their entry maintains strict public health protocols to prevent further spread of COVID-19," said federation president Mary Robinson.

"We are still reviewing the details and will be in close contact with all relevant departments and industry stakeholders over the coming days to ensure these workers arrive safely and on time."

Source : FCC

Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.