Ottawa—Crop insurance programs may not be able to support farmers through the changing weather patterns climate change will bring and the agrifood sector needs to consider how to adapt to rising temperatures and disrupted rainfall patterns, says a report from Natural Resources Canada.
“Longer growing seasons and warmer average temperatures will benefit the agriculture sector in some parts of Ontario. Warmer average temperatures and longer growing seasons present opportunities for agriculture in Ontario, including the expansion of production in some regions and increased potential for specialty crops.
Agrifood is inextricably linked to other economic sectors and is co-dependent on infrastructure components, such as electricity, transportation and telecommunications, which also face threats from climate change. Agrifood is a major employer in the province, which is Canada’s top agrifood exporting province.
“Continued warming and increases in accumulated crop heat units will support new crop establishment and/or range expansion into other parts of the province, including in more northerly regions where water availability and soil conditions are suitable.”