A new workforce initiative will support British Columbia’s agriculture and food industry in recruiting and retaining the workers who will help provide a stable food supply for a growing population in B.C. and around the world.
“The demand for B.C. food and beverage products continues to grow, and we need to address labour challenges now, so we can continue to rely on B.C.’s agriculture and food sector in the future,” said Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food, on Monday. “Our government is working hard to increase the number of B.C. agriculture workers so we will have a safe and resilient local food supply for generations to come.”
The Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative will provide as much as $15 million to help strengthen the workforce by:
* improving recruitment and retention of domestic workers and supporting targeted training to develop a skilled workforce;
* implementing labour-market development strategies and workforce plans; and
* supporting the health and well-being of the agriculture and food workforce.
AgSafe is the first organization supported under the new program and will receive $755,000 to expand mental-health services to the B.C. agriculture sector. This funding will support the expansion of AgSafe’s mental wellness in agriculture initiative that encourages producers to reach out for help and offers mental wellness resources for the agricultural community.
The Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative is funded by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.
Facts about B.C.’s agriculture sector and mental health
* The B.C. agriculture, food and seafood sector had combined revenues of more than $18 billion in 2021, and were 12% higher than the previous record of $16.1 billion in 2020.
* B.C. exported a record $5.1 billion in agriculture, seafood, and processed food and beverage products to 151 different international markets in 2021.
* B.C. produces more than 200 primary agriculture products and about 100 fish, shellfish and marine plant species.
* In 2021, there were more than 79,000 agriculture, seafood, and food and beverage processing sector jobs in B.C.
* Research has found that Canadian farmers face higher levels of mental distress than the general public and are generally less likely to seek help.
* A 2021 study found that 76% of Canadian farmers are classified as experiencing perceived moderate or high stress scores and one in four have thoughts of suicide.
Learn More:
Further details about the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative and anticipated program launches and application deadlines are available here:
AgSafe mental health wellness resources:
https://agsafebc.ca/mental-
