Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program Set for 2009-10

The Provincial Government is now accepting applications under this year�s Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program (PAAP), with funding for 2009-10 provided primarily for land development and improvement.

�The agrifoods industry is important to the economy of rural Newfoundland and Labrador,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. �Our continued investment will help bring the industry to the next level of land development and improvement and I encourage those eligible to take advantage of this program.�

Eligible activities must support the objectives of the program, primarily opportunities for land development and improvement, and construction or upgrade of fruit and vegetable storage facilities and equipment, but also including; secondary processing and diversification; environmental stewardship; technology adoption; and farm infrastructure required to enhance commercialization and the competitive capability of the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agrifoods industry.

Applications are being made available throughout the province this week through the mail. Applications and program guidelines are also available on the department�s website at www.gov.nl.ca/agric. The deadline for applications and supporting documentation is March 15, 2009. Applications can be returned to a regional agricultural office located at St. John�s, Carbonear, Clarenville, Gander, Pynn�s Brook or Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Approval of all projects is subject to funding availability. This provincial program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants involved in primary or secondary processing activities which will improve the economic viability of the agriculture and agrifoods industry; promote commercialization and growth in the sector; and enhance the competitive capability of the agriculture and agrifoods industry.

The province�s agriculture industry has annual sales valued at $500 million and provides direct and indirect employment more than 5,000 people, mainly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Budget 2008 contained $11.2-million in new funding for the agriculture and agrifoods industry, bringing the total annual provincial investment in this sector to $32.8 million.

For more information on the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program, please contact the program manager at 709-637-2474 or by e-mail at sharonwright@gov.nl.ca.

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca