B.C. government funding for tree fruit replant projects in 2016 is now available to help tree fruit growers replant their orchards with high-value, high-quality fruit varieties, and increase the value of their sales.
The funding is part of the B.C. government’s $8.4-million, seven-year tree fruit replant program announced in November 2014. The program will result in an estimated 1,500 acres of orchards being replanted by 2021, and about 2,600 jobs each year for the Okanagan.
“The funding is available now and it provides employment and business opportunities for B.C. growers while ensuring British Columbians have access to fresh and local foods,” said Norm Letnick, agriculture minister and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA.
Application packages are available at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=D188877E1CEA411B89E2A62EA9812B05
“Replant is critical to the future of our industry as we need to produce high quality, new varieties of tree fruit to compete locally and to seize export opportunities,” said Fred Steele, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association president.
