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|closingDateDecember 31, 2027
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Ministry of Agriculture
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
This grant is available to entities located within the province of Saskatchewan. The eligibility is confined to certain regions within Saskatchewan as outlined by the program guidelines.
- Primary agricultural producers based in Saskatchewan.
- First Nation Bands located in the Province of Saskatchewan.
- Irrigation districts within Saskatchewan approved by the ministry.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$400,000
Develop a secure water pipeline for irrigation
$288,800
Developing power installation and hookup for irrigable land
$500,000
Install a new pump station to irrigate 300 acres
$180,900
Installing a new pump station and pipelines for irrigation
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To qualify for the Irrigation Development Program grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be primary agricultural producers, which can be an individual, partnership, co-operative, or corporation, demonstrating a minimum $50,000 of gross farm income in Saskatchewan either in the year of application or the year prior.
- Individual applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- First Nation Bands in the Province of Saskatchewan are eligible.
- Irrigation districts approved by the ministry and within the meaning of The Irrigation Act, 2019, in Saskatchewan can apply.
- Applicants must comply with The Irrigation Act, 2019, and all applicable regulations and requirements.
- Applicants must have a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number if they own, lease or rent property involving livestock and poultry.
- Projects must plan to increase irrigation capacity by a minimum of 10 acres for agricultural purposes.
- New entrants can be eligible if they meet specific criteria and demonstrate potential to generate $50,000 in gross farm income by March 2028.
- Expenses eligible for consideration must be incurred after October 1, 2022.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Irrigation Development Program is open to several types of applicants who meet specific criteria: - Primary Agricultural Producers: This includes individual farmers, partnerships, co-operatives, or corporations that can demonstrate having a gross farm income of at least $50,000 in Saskatchewan in the year of application or the preceding year. Individual applicants must be at least 18 years old.- First Nation Bands: Bands within the province of Saskatchewan are eligible to apply.- Irrigation Districts: These are defined within the meaning of The Irrigation Act, 2019, in Saskatchewan and must be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. Applicants also include new entrants who might not yet meet the income threshold but are planning to achieve it within the program's five-year term. Flexibility is offered for new farmers who have recently made significant investments in farming activities and intend to reach the income threshold by March 2028.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses focus on establishing a secure water supply system to support irrigation development.
- Purchase and installation of pumps.
- Installation of pump stations.
- Construction of turnouts.
- Installation of pipelines.
- Construction of drains.
- Power installation and hook-up.
- Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design.
- Funding for power and pipe installation up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres.
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
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Review Eligibility and Program Details
- Download and read through the detailed Irrigation Development Program information.
- Ensure your project meets all eligibility criteria and requirements.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Complete the Irrigation Development Program Pre-Approval Application Form.
- Gather and prepare all necessary documentation and pre-approval inspections.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Save the completed application form to your computer.
- Email the application and supporting documents to agprograms@gov.sk.ca, or mail them to the address provided:
- Irrigation Programming
- Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
- 329 – 3085 Albert Street
- Regina SK S4S 0B1
- Step 4: Post-Approval
- Upon approval, complete the irrigation development project as planned.
- Submit claims for funding on project completion with copies of paid invoices.
- Optional interim claims can be submitted if conditions are met.
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
Unlocking Water Potential with the Irrigation Development Program
The Saskatchewan Irrigation Development Program provides vital financial support to agricultural producers, First Nation Bands, and irrigation districts to expand irrigation capacity and ensure sustainable water supply systems. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity through infrastructural development projects that connect water sources with potential irrigation sites.
Understanding the Irrigation Development Program and Its Benefits
The Irrigation Development Program in Saskatchewan is a key funding opportunity for agricultural stakeholders looking to enhance their irrigation infrastructure. Managed under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this program offers significant financial assistance to eligible applicants. The funding mechanism covers up to 67% of eligible project costs, or $1,675 per developed irrigable acre, with a maximum cap of $500,000 over a five-year period stretching from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. The deadline for pre-approval applications is set for December 31, 2027, with project completion required by March 31, 2028.
Projects under this initiative aim at developing secure water supplies for extended irrigation networks. While the program is quite inclusive, it does set clear prerequisites to qualify for the funding. Applicants must be primary agricultural producers, First Nation Bands in Saskatchewan, or approved irrigation districts falling under the criteria of The Irrigation Act, 2019. Key project requirements involve increasing irrigation capacity by at least 10 acres and ensuring the suitability of water sources, including specific conductivity and sodium absorption metrics.
Funding is specifically directed towards infrastructure development at foundational levels. Expenses covered include the installation of pumps, pipelines, drains, and associated power hookups necessary to establish water points from the source to the center pivot, which is critical for enhancing agricultural yields. However, on-farm infrastructure costs such as pivots and site preparations are not covered under this grant, emphasizing the program’s focus on larger scale infrastructural projects aimed at capacity building rather than individual farm operations.
The application process requires careful documentation and demonstration of eligibility, including compliance with regulatory and operational standards as outlined in The Irrigation Act. Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational independence for the duration of the project. An important regulatory requirement includes obtaining necessary certifications and approvals from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch.
For stakeholders, this program not only facilitates enhanced irrigation capabilities but also positions Saskatchewan's agricultural sector towards sustainable and effective water management practices. With a focus on exhaustively vetted projects, the program ensures that participants commit to sustainable agricultural practices and financial accountability, substantially contributing to local and provincial agricultural economies.
Overall, the Irrigation Development Program stands as a beacon of opportunity for eligible entities aiming to transform and modernize their agricultural output through strategic infrastructural development. The support extended by this program is pivotal in addressing critical water supply issues, and ensuring the continued growth and resilience of Saskatchewan’s agriculture in response to both present and future challenges.
