Irrigation Program — Irrigation Development Program
Highlights
This program is designed for you, offering significant financial support to enhance your irrigation infrastructure. You can receive up to 67% of eligible costs or $1,675 per irrigable acre developed, with a maximum of $500,000 over five years. This funding can help you create a secure water supply and increase your irrigation capacity by at least 10 acres.
What You Get:
- Up to $500,000 in funding over five years
- 67% of eligible costs covered
- Support for infrastructure development, including pumps, pipelines, and power installation
Why Apply?
- Government-backed funding ensures reliability and support
- Flexible eligibility for new entrants and First Nation producers
- Boost your irrigation capacity, leading to increased productivity and profitability
Qualifying for this program is straightforward, and the benefits are substantial. By participating, you can secure the resources needed to expand and improve your irrigation systems, ultimately enhancing your business's growth and sustainability.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required.
- No interest rates apply.
Eligible Expenses:
- Creation of secure water supply points.
- Purchase and installation of:
- Pumps
- Pump stations
- Turnouts
- Pipelines
- Drains
- Power installation and hook-up
- Consulting services and fees for environmental assessments and project design
- Power and pipe up to the center pivot point of new irrigable acres.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Projects and expenditures commencing prior to October 1, 2022.
- On-farm land parcel irrigation systems, including any pump, pipe, drain, trench, ditch, sprinkler, or power source dedicated to irrigating a land parcel, except for pipe and electrical from the distribution pipeline to the pivot point.
- On-farm land parcel site preparation costs to remove trees, infrastructure, or landscape.
- Irrigation certification fees.
- Purchase of land/property or payment of easements.
- Taxes, financing fees, interest charges, or legal fees.
- Applicant/employee labor and administration costs.
- Fees paid to third parties for application support.
- Basic repair and maintenance or ongoing expenses.
- Extended warranty or insurance costs.
- Used, leased, or fabricated materials and infrastructure, including equipment purchased at auction.
- In-kind freight/mileage, equipment use, materials, or payment for third-party services/supplies.
- Materials from inventory.
- Costs claimed for expenses/activities which may receive funding under other government grant, rebate, or assistance programs.
Fees:
- No fees associated with the program.
Qualifications
- Must be a primary agricultural producer (individual, partnership, co-operative, or corporation).
- Must demonstrate a minimum of $50,000 in gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year of application or the year prior.
- Individual applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- First Nation Bands in the Province of Saskatchewan are eligible.
- Irrigation districts in Saskatchewan, as defined by The Irrigation Act, 2019, are eligible if approved by the ministry.
- New entrants must provide proof of meeting the gross farm income threshold within the five-year term of the program.
- Expenses incurred after October 1, 2022, are eligible.
- Producers must have a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number if they own, lease, or rent property where livestock and poultry are grown, bred, kept, raised, displayed, assembled, or disposed of.
- Projects must increase irrigation capacity by a minimum of 10 acres.
- Must obtain an Irrigation Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch for the project location.
- Projects must have a water source with an electrical conductivity of less than 1,500 uS/cm and a sodium absorption ratio of less than five.
Must receive a water allocation of intensive or non-intensive median annual availability from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).
Disqualifications:
- Projects commencing prior to October 1, 2022.
- Invoices not issued in the applicant's name.
- On-farm land parcel irrigation systems, except for pipe and electrical from the distribution pipeline to the pivot point.
- Projects with a Term Irrigation Certificate.
- Projects receiving a water allocation non-intensive subject to availability.
- Used, leased, or fabricated materials and infrastructure, including equipment purchased at auction.
- Costs claimed for expenses/activities receiving funding under other Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs or any other government grant, rebate, or assistance program.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to receive up to $500,000 over five years. You can use this money to develop irrigation infrastructure, ensuring a secure water supply for your land. This includes expenses like pumps, pipelines, and power installations.
You can get up to 67% of your project costs covered, or $1,675 per irrigable acre developed, whichever is less. This funding helps you increase your irrigation capacity by at least 10 acres. The money can be used for infrastructure at the water source and distribution pipeline, but not for on-farm systems like pivots.
The program runs from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. You need to complete your project by March 31, 2028, and submit your application for pre-approval by December 31, 2027. This funding can significantly boost your irrigation capacity, making your agricultural operations more efficient and productive.
Program Steps
Download the Application Form:
- Visit the program's website and download the Irrigation Development Program Pre-Approval Application Form. Save it to your computer before entering your information.
Prepare Documentation:
- Gather the following documents:
- Proof of gross farm income ($50,000 minimum).
- Irrigation Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch.
- Approval to Construct permit from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).
- Water Rights file number with WSA.
- 'As-constructed' drawing from Crops and Irrigation Branch or an Approval to Operate from the WSA.
- Environmental assessments, if required.
- Paid invoices for eligible expenses.
- Gather the following documents:
Complete the Application Form:
- Fill out the application form with accurate and detailed information about your project and business.
Submit the Application:
- Email the completed application form and all required documents to [email protected], or mail them to:
- Irrigation Programming
- Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
- 329 – 3085 Albert Street
- Regina SK S4S 0B1
- Email the completed application form and all required documents to [email protected], or mail them to:
Wait for Pre-Approval:
- The program administrators will review your application. If approved, you will receive a pre-approval notification.
Complete the Project:
- Proceed with the irrigation development project as per the approved plan. Ensure all work is completed and documented.
Submit Claims for Funding:
- Once the project is fully constructed and operational, submit claims for funding. Include copies of all paid invoices and proof of payment.
Request Interim Payments (Optional):
- If needed, request interim payments by completing the interim claim form provided by the program. Ensure claimed items are fully installed and paid for, and submit proof of payment.
Final Claim Submission:
- Submit the final claim for funding by the earlier of 18 months from written project approval or by March 31, 2028. Ensure all required documents and proof of expenses are included.
Receive Funding:
- Upon approval of your final claim, receive the funding to cover eligible expenses as per the program guidelines.