Irrigation Program — Irrigation Development Program

• Pre-Approval Application Form
• Paid invoices
• Approval to Construct permit from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency
• Water Rights file number
• As-constructed drawing or Approval to Operate

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant specifies eligibility criteria but does not explicitly exclude any industries. However, certain expenses and situations are ineligible, reflecting indirect restrictions on some industries or operations.

• Projects and expenses prior to October 1, 2022.
• On-farm land parcel irrigation systems beyond initial pipelines and power installations.
• Operations that cannot meet water quality criteria for the proposed project.
• Projects lacking necessary permits and approval from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency.
• Entities not demonstrating $50,000 in gross farm income or unable to prove eligibility as new entrants.
• Projects receiving funding from other government programs overlapping with this grant.
• Related entities exceeding the maximum funding cap unless they operate independently.

Eligible expenses

The grant supports the development and enhancement of irrigation infrastructure to increase the irrigation capacity of agricultural lands in Saskatchewan. Eligible projects focus on establishing a secure water supply and supporting key infrastructural developments necessary for irrigation.

• Creation of a secure water supply for irrigable land parcels.
• Installation and purchase of pumps and pump stations.
• Construction and development of turnouts and pipelines.
• Installation of necessary power infrastructure and electrical hook-up to irrigation systems.
• Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design.
• Establishment of distribution pipelines up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Projects or expenses started before October 1, 2022
• Applications submitted after May 30, 2025
• Claims submitted after December 31, 2025 unless otherwise specified in the pre-approval letter
• Items not invoiced in the applicant’s name
• On-farm irrigation systems, except pipe and electrical from the distribution pipeline to the pivot point

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to companies and entities operating within Saskatchewan, Canada. Applicants must demonstrate activities and eligibility in alignment with this designated geographical area.

• Companies and individuals operating in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The Irrigation Development Program does not explicitly outline specific evaluation and selection criteria, but it does include eligibility requirements and necessary pre-approval inspections and documents for projects. These requirements ensure that applicants meet the necessary standards to qualify for funding.

• Eligibility requirements such as compliance with The Irrigation Act, 2019.
• Irrigation districts must be in good standing and have met the criteria laid out in Part 2 of the Act.
• Irrigators must pay a refundable acre levy fee to the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation.
• Projects must increase irrigation capacity by a minimum of 10 acres of land for agricultural purposes.
• Irrigation development locations must obtain an Irrigation Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch.
• Applicants must receive the Approval to Construct permit from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).
• Projects must receive a water allocation of intensive or non-intensive median annual availability to be eligible.
• Final claims must include approval to operate from WSA or 'as-constructed' drawing from Crops and Irrigation Branch.

• Pre-approval applications were required before May 30, 2025, and intake is now closed.
• Eligible applicants received claim forms after pre-approval.
• The Ministry may inspect and validate project completion or operation before payment.
• Claims are submitted after the project is fully constructed and operational.
• Interim claims are optional and subject to program conditions.

This grant involves several important considerations for eligibility and application, particularly for different applicant types and project characteristics.

• Pre-approval applications must be submitted by December 31, 2027, for projects to be completed by March 31, 2028.
• Expenses incurred after October 1, 2022, are eligible.
• The program allows flexibility for new entrants who can prove expected gross farm income of $50,000 by March 2028.
• Projects must increase irrigation capacity by a minimum of 10 acres and obtain necessary permits such as the Irrigation Certificate and Approval to Construct from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).
• Water source for the project must meet specific electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio requirements.
• Projects with a Term Irrigation Certificate are not eligible due to sustainability concerns.
• Interim claims are possible if specific conditions are met, including approved expenses totaling at least $100,000.