Irrigation Program — Irrigation Development Program
SK, Canada
Funding for farms in Saskatchewan to increase irrigation capacity
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $1,675 per irrigable acre to cover 67% of the costs of creating a secure water supply to the edge of irrigable land parcels, to a maximum of $500,000 per applicant.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant. These include the creation of secure water supply points and various infrastructure development activities.
- Pumps
- Pump stations
- Turnouts
- Pipelines
- Drains
- Power installation and hookup
- Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design
- Funding for power and pipe up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$500,000
Regina
Install a new pump station to irrigate 300 acres in Regina.
$400,000
Saskatoon
Develop a secure water pipeline for irrigation in Saskatoon.
$180,900
Saskatoon
Installing a new pump station and pipelines for irrigation.
$288,800
Toronto
Developing power installation and hookup for irrigable land.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligible applicants for the Irrigation Development Program include primary agricultural producers, First Nation Bands, and irrigation districts in Saskatchewan who meet specific criteria.
- Primary agricultural producers (individual, partnership, co-operative or corporation) who can demonstrate a minimum $50,000 of gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year of application or the year prior to the application, and individual applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- First Nation Bands in the Province of Saskatchewan.
- Irrigation districts (within the meaning of The Irrigation Act, 2019) in Saskatchewan that are approved by the ministry.
- New entrants must fulfill specific criteria to demonstrate their potential to generate $50,000 in gross farm income by March of 2028.
- Producers must own, lease, or rent property where livestock and poultry are grown and require a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number.
- Applicants must meet compliance with The Irrigation Act, 2019 and obtain necessary pre-approval inspections and documents, including an Irrigation Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Irrigation Development Program include various types of agricultural entities in Saskatchewan. They must meet specific income and operational criteria to qualify.
- Primary agricultural producers (individual, partnership, co-operative or corporation) with a minimum $50,000 of gross farm income in the year of application or the prior year
- First Nation Bands in the Province of Saskatchewan
- Irrigation districts approved by the Ministry of Agriculture
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant which include the creation of secure water supply points through various installations and services.
- Pumps
- Pump stations
- Turnouts
- Pipelines
- Drains
- Power installation and hook-up
- Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design
- Funding for power and pipe up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant include areas within the Province of Saskatchewan. This encompasses projects designed to increase irrigation capacity on irrigable land parcels in the specified areas.
- Province of Saskatchewan
grant_single_labels|criteria
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.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review the Irrigation Development Program details including eligibility.
- Step 2: Complete the Irrigation Development Program Pre-Approval Application Form.
- Step 3: Save the completed application form to your computer.
- Step 4: Submit the completed application package by email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by mail to:
- Irrigation Programming
- Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
- 329 – 3085 Albert Street
- Regina SK S4S 0B1
- Step 5: Await pre-approval from the ministry.
- Step 6: Upon pre-approval, begin the irrigation development project ensuring all applicable inspections and documents are obtained.
- Step 7: Submit claims for funding once the project is fully constructed and operational for agricultural use, including copies of paid invoices as originals will not be returned.
- Step 8: For interim payments, request an interim payment by completing the interim claim form provided by the program, ensuring the necessary approvals and installation requirements are met and invoices are paid.
- Step 9: Complete the project by March 31, 2028.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
agprograms@gov.sk.ca
866-457-2377
Apply to this program
Irrigation Development Program Grant Summary
The Irrigation Development Program Grant in Saskatchewan provides financial assistance to primary agricultural producers, First Nation Bands, and irrigation districts to support the development of infrastructure that increases irrigation capacity. Applicants can receive up to 67% of eligible costs or $1,675 per irrigable acre developed, with a maximum program payment of $500,000 over a five-year term.
Understanding the Irrigation Development Program Grant
The Saskatchewan Government, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), has established the Irrigation Development Program Grant to support agricultural producers, First Nations, and irrigation districts in enhancing their irrigation capacity. This initiative is poised to boost agricultural productivity by ensuring a secure water supply to irrigable land parcels. Below is an in-depth overview of the program's various aspects, including eligibility criteria, application process, and eligible expenses.
Purpose and Goals
The primary aim of the Irrigation Development Program is to promote infrastructure development that will enable the stabilization and expansion of irrigation capacity in Saskatchewan. By supporting the creation of secure water supplies, the program seeks to facilitate the sustainable growth of agricultural operations and improve water resource management.
Funding Details
Eligible applicants who undertake approved irrigation development projects can receive funding that covers the lesser of 67% of eligible costs or $1,675 per irrigable acre developed, capped at a maximum of $500,000 over the program's five-year term. The program operates under the umbrella of the Sustainable CAP, with the funding term running from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. The final deadline for pre-approval applications is December 31, 2027, and all projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.
Applicant Eligibility
The program is open to the following categories of applicants:
- Primary agricultural producers (individuals, partnerships, co-operatives, or corporations) who can demonstrate a minimum of $50,000 in gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the application year or the preceding year. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- First Nation Bands located in Saskatchewan.
- Irrigation districts as defined under The Irrigation Act, 2019, that have ministry approval.
The program also offers flexibility for new entrants who may not yet meet the gross farm income threshold but can provide proof of achieving this within the five-year term of Sustainable CAP. Interested new entrants should complete a self-assessment and consult with an agriculture programs specialist to determine eligibility. Additionally, the program is designed to be flexible for First Nation producers, accommodating unique regulatory, operational, and cultural contexts.
Project Eligibility
To qualify for funding, projects must meet specific requirements, including:
- A minimum increase in irrigation capacity by 10 acres of agricultural land.
- Securing an Irrigation Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch.
- Approval from the respective irrigation district board for projects within irrigation districts.
- Ensuring the proposed water source has an electrical conductivity of less than 1,500 uS/cm and a sodium absorption ratio of less than five.
Projects awarded a Term Irrigation Certificate due to concerns about sustainability are not eligible for funding.
Pre-Approval Requirements
Before applying, applicants need to gather several pre-approval documents, including:
- An "Approval to Construct" permit from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).
- A Water Rights file number from WSA, with specific conditions on water allocation for project eligibility.
- An 'as-constructed' drawing from Crops and Irrigation Branch or an Approval to Operate from WSA.
- Relevant environmental assessments, where required.
Eligible Expenses
Expenses eligible for funding include the purchase and installation of:
- Pumps and pump stations
- Turnouts
- Pipelines and drains
- Power installation and hook-up
- Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design
Funding for power and pipelines is restricted to components up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres.
Ineligible Expenses
Certain expenses are excluded from funding, such as:
- Projects and expenditures before October 1, 2022
- Invoices not issued in the applicant's name
- On-farm irrigation systems, including pumps, pipes, drains, and power sources dedicated to specific land parcels, except for those from the distribution pipeline to the pivot point
- Site preparation costs
- Certification fees
- Land or property purchases
- Taxes, interest, and legal fees
- Administrative costs and employee labor
- Costs for used or leased materials and infrastructure
For detailed information on eligible and ineligible expenses, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines or consult with an agriculture specialist.
Interim Claims
The program allows for interim claims under specific conditions:
- The applicant must request an interim payment using the form provided by the program.
- The project must have the necessary approvals, and claimed items should be fully installed and paid in full before the interim payment request.
- Submitted paid invoices and possibly proof of payment (e.g., check image, bank statement) are required.
- Eligible interim expenses must total at least $100,000, and interim payments cannot exceed $300,000 excluding a 15% holdback, applied until project completion and final claim submission.
This feature is designed to assist applicants in managing cash flow during the project execution phase.
Application Process
The application process involves several steps:
- Download and review the Irrigation Development Program Pre-Approval Application Form. Save the form and fill in the required information.
- Once the pre-approval application is complete, submit it by email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by mail to: Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch, 329 – 3085 Albert Street, Regina SK S4S 0B1.
- After receiving pre-approval, eligible applicants must complete their projects and gather all paid invoices and necessary documentation.
- Submit claims for funding, attaching copies of paid invoices. Interim claims, if applicable, must follow the conditions outlined in the program guidelines.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit claims promptly upon project completion to ensure timely access to funding.
Important Considerations
Before applying, applicants must ensure compliance with The Irrigation Act, 2019. Other key considerations include:
- Ensuring irrigation districts are in good standing and meeting the criteria set out in Part 2 of the Act.
- Paying refundable acre levy fees to the Irrigation Crop Diversification Corporation, supporting irrigation research and development per Part 5 of The Irrigation Act, 2019.
Understanding these requirements is essential for a successful application and proper fund utilization.
Final Thoughts
The Irrigation Development Program Grant offers substantial financial support to enhance irrigation infrastructure, fostering agricultural expansion and sustainability in Saskatchewan. By understanding the eligibility criteria, project requirements, and application process, interested parties can effectively leverage this funding opportunity to boost their agricultural operations. For further details, prospective applicants can contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre or the Ministry of Agriculture's Programs Branch.
