THE VOICE OF CANADA NEWS|

Hike in the average farmland prices in Canada  is risky for the future of agriculture in the country according to Farm Credit Canada (FCC).

According to the Statistics Canada data, the average farm in Canada goes up to $2.2 million. In Saskatchewan that’s $2.1 million and in Ontario, it’s $2.6 million, making farm ownership almost impossible for the next generation of farmers, Mel Luymes, outreach and engagement coordinator for FarmLINK, describes it as “farm realty meets online dating”.

Luymes further added that young people interested in farming can’t afford to get in and even those inheriting a farm are assuming huge debts from their parents. Fuelling demand by producers to expand their operations, strong crop yielding, account for half of the soaring price. The rest comes from domestic and foreign speculators and developers who are converting it to commercial and residential uses, including mega-mansion properties.

“Economic conditions are conspiring against farmers, who already encounter more adversity than they need. We nee  the government policy to help counter the market forces that are stacked against Canadian farmers, which make it harder for them to buy the land they need to run successful farming enterprises,” said committee chair Sen. Diane Griffin in March.

Luymes added that it will also oblige Canadians to shift their expectations at the grocery store, as consumers demand cheap food which is impossible due to the land prices and other factors.

“We don’t grow cheap food, we grow great food. We’ve got higher labour standards, environmental regulations, and food safety than elsewhere in the world, and we do that with less government support than Europe or the United States, for example.”

But Canadians are hurting domestic industry by seeking over all else.

“Farmers cannot even be competitive on their own turf in Canada. So now we’re importing food and eroding our ability to feed ourselves.”