Assistance provided to farms to increase water supply
News release
August 20, 2025 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Nova Scotia farmers will have access to additional support to increase their supply of water.
The province has committed an additional $475,000 under the On-Farm Water Management Program to support water projects like wells and ponds on farms. This will fund all existing eligible applications and enable a second call for applications under the program.
The On-Farm Water Management Program is part of the federal-provincial Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a 5-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments that aims to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.
Quotes
“Extreme weather continues to create stress and uncertainty for farmers. By expanding the funding to the On-Farm Water Management Program, we are ensuring that farmers in Nova Scotia have the support they need to improve their water supply and help protect their livelihoods.”
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“We want to help farms have a plentiful supply of water throughout the growing season, and to deal with the very dry conditions they are experiencing. This funding will help farms become more resilient in dealing with the impacts of climate change.”
- Greg Morrow, Agriculture Minister, Nova Scotia
“This year’s drought has emphasized just how critical reliable water access is to the success of our farms and the security of our food system. Many producers are doing everything they can to adapt, but the reality is that without adequate water infrastructure — wells, ponds, and other on-farm solutions — those efforts can only go so far. Reopening the On-Farm Water Management Program will provide some support to farmers to address the challenges of drought and wildfire risk. This program can help strengthen water management, reduce fire hazards, and support farms to continue operating through these difficult conditions.”
- Alicia King, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
Quick facts
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The On-Farm Water Management Program provides 50% cost-shared support for water supply projects to a maximum of $15,000.
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Thirty well and pond projects received a total of $215,000 through the On-Farm Water Management Program in 2024.
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Announced in 2023, the federal-provincial Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will invest $46.25 million over 5 years in Nova Scotia’s agriculture sector.
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The Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
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In 2024, the agricultural sector generated $764 million in farm gate revenue.
Associated links
Contacts
For media:
Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Deborah Bayer,
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
Deborah.Bayer@novascotia.ca
902-225-4982