Opinion: Irrigation could insulate Sask. against trade turmoil

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Investing in Irrigation in Saskatchewan will help us build our food system capacity. This builds resilience against the uncertainties of global trade and foreign policy.

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Trump’s tariffs and counter-tariffs threaten to drive up food prices across Canada, especially for fruits and vegetables imported from the southern U.S. That means Canadians will have to spend more of their hard-earned money just to put nutritious food on the table.

At last check, Saskatchewan imports a staggering 95 per cent of the vegetables we consume. This exposure to foreign markets leaves us vulnerable to price spikes and disruptions.

It also presents a massive opportunity to capture a larger share of the market within our own province by working together to expand our food production systems.

One method for expanding production and building resilience is to invest in large-scale irrigation infrastructure. Saskatchewan has ample land, water and agricultural expertise at our disposal. What’s missing is the infrastructure to fully harness these resources.

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Developing irrigation infrastructure is the next critical pillar to erect as we build a more resilient food ecosystem.

Farmers markets are great, and we need to continue to support these producers. Locally grown cantaloupe, strawberries, carrots or garlic have flavour so rich, even your grandma’s perogies might get jealous.

However, to move beyond niche markets and compete at scale with imported goods, we need to take that homegrown flavour and bring it to retail shelves across the province. Expanding irrigation is key to making that possible, allowing producers to grow these crops reliably and at a scale that meets market demand.

Expanding irrigation doesn’t just benefit markets for fresh vegetables and storable crops like potatoes. Expanding irrigation in the province will help pave the way for secondary processing.

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A strong processing industry will add value to our crops; reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains; and create jobs (often in or near urban centres) for hard-working folks.

For example, one of Saskatchewan’s strengths is developing ingredients for other industries using our crops. Plant-based proteins, fibres and gluten-free flours are good examples of products that we can develop and which we can supply at scale to reduce our dependency on foreign markets.

More irrigation means more opportunities to grow, diversify and innovate in these types of expanding markets.

The time to act is now. For too long, we’ve relied on cheap imported food, assuming it will always be available. As trade tensions become heightened, that false sense of security is crumbling.

We need to take proactive steps to strengthen our own food system before it’s too late. Whether you live in Regina, La Ronge, Redvers, Climax or anywhere in between, investing in irrigation means investing in food security, economic growth and titillated tastebuds for generations to come.

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An ancient proverb states that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now. The best time to start irrigating was 20 years ago, the second best time is now!

Ryan Husband is a hobby farmer, irrigator, irrigation engineer and the executive director of Irrigation Saskatchewan, an organization that does crop research and advocacy on behalf of the irrigation industry.

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