After coping with a perfect storm of trade disputes, transportation disruptions, and challenging weather conditions for the past two years, Saskatchewan farmers are on high alert about how COVID-19 will impact agricultural finances, supply chains, and access to labour this growing season.
In response to their concerns, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) has launched an online survey to collect information about how COVID-19 is affecting farmers in Saskatchewan. The survey, found at apas.ca/survey, will track how the province鈥檚 agricultural sector is coping with the rapidly evolving crisis.
鈥淭he situation is changing fast, and it鈥檚 crucial for us to have real-time information to share with government about how farmers are being affected by COVID-19,鈥� explained APAS President and farmer Todd Lewis.
鈥淭he more data APAS can collect about what鈥檚 happening at the Saskatchewan farm gate, the more likely it will be for government support measures to actually meet farmers鈥� needs. The federal government took a first step by increasing the capacity of FCC and extending repayment on Advance Payments Program loans, but increasing farmers鈥� debt is not the answer. Much more needs to be done.鈥�
The survey, which was launched on March 24, will be updated each week, with results made public and communicated to government officials. Saskatchewan agricultural producers are asked to respond each week in order to track changing conditions.
Questions include whether farmers are experiencing disruptions to their operations, including cost increases, shipping delays, and access to the labour force. The survey also asks about farmers鈥� financial needs and mental health, as well as their top business concerns related to COVID-19.
鈥淭he COVID-19 situation is unprecedented, and we really don鈥檛 know what to expect in terms of how agricultural supply chains could be affected,鈥� said Lewis.
鈥淪askatchewan produces a significant portion of the world鈥檚 food, and we need to understand how farmers are being affected by this crisis. Ideally, a huge number of farmers in Saskatchewan will take the survey every week. That鈥檚 how we can make sure the government understands what鈥檚 going on here.鈥�
This week鈥檚 survey is open until April 1, with the following week鈥檚 survey opening April 2.
