Business Climate: How drought is changing B.C.’s agriculture industry
A hay field in Westwold, BC. Photo credit: Elaine Stovin.
May 29, 2024
B.C. cattle ranchers, hit hard by last summer’s severe drought, are facing unprecedented challenges. Sean Smukler, director of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm, discusses the urgent need for better water management.
“If we’re really serious about building local food systems, and building our food sovereignty, we need to deal with the water supply and demand situation,” says Smukler.
He calls for significant investment in water storage, conveyance systems, and the preservation of natural landscapes to recharge aquifers. Smukler also stresses the importance of educating farmers on efficient water use to secure B.C.’s agricultural future amidst a changing climate.