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Socio-Economic Montage
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A Study of Primary
Niche Market Agricultural Production Opportunities for the Kootenays
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Authored by:
Clint Ellison, P. Ag.
Andrea Gunner, P. Ag.
Sponsored by:
Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and
Culture
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
April 15th 1996
Location of Publication:
"Columbia Basin Trust Collection"
Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Creston, BC
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This study, an identification of
the primary niche market agricultural production opportunities in
the Kootenays, evolved from a need identified by Agri-Forestry participants
(government and non-government) in the Kootenay Value-Added Forum.
The study area, which encompasses
the Kootenay-Boundary, Central Kootenay, East Kootenay and Columbia
Shuswap regions, has a significant agriculture base and many direct
farm marketing and farmhouse processing operations. Producers in
the area face challenges of topography, modest population densities
and long distance to major markets. Many producers with small holdings
and/or marginal operating conditions have always supplemented their
income by working off farm. There is an ever increasing trend for
this requirement of producers on larger holdings and/or less marginal
circumstances. Currently, farm income pressures are intensifying
and competition from global marketplace prices for traditional raw
product are eroding farm income. There is a need to create more
revenue per production unit while keeping input costs under control.
The report identifies specialty
and organic produce, culinary and medicinal herbs, and opportunities
within these commodities for small-scale operations, between two
and ten acres. It also provides information on current trends, opportunities
and constraints, and provides detail on the following topics:
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Farm
Business - An overview of small-scale farm business
in Canada and in the Kootenays.
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Marketing
- An overview of the Kootenay market, current trends,
and the "marketing environment". This section also
provides information on market opportunities for produce and
medicinal plants.
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Case
Studies - Sample marketing strategies for three
types of opportunities: i) narrow (specialty products with
limited production); ii) moderate (direct or on-farm markets
- for areas where there is significant tourist potential or
a population density); and iii) wide (for markets which are
already serviced by a number of suppliers, but have growth
potential).
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Business
Planning - Information and worksheets to assist
producers to prepare their business plan.
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Buyers
and Distributors - Includes produce and medicinal
herb buyers and distributors for British Columbia and the
region, western Canada and the United States. Farmer's markets,
restaurants and trade shows are also included.
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Producers
- Includes fruit, vegetable and medicinal herb producers in
the region.
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Information
Sources - Includes government, industry and bio-dynamic
and organic certification agencies and education programs.
A materials list of organic production standards is also included.
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Suppliers
- Includes seed sources, nurseries, trucking, export brokers,
soil amendment suppliers, pest control suppliers, testing
laboratories and equipment suppliers.
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Soil
and Climate Capability for Agriculture - Includes
an overview of the land base, and agricultural capability
and use in the region.
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Government
Programs - Identifies federal and provincial government
programs relevant to niche market herbs, medicinal plants,
and organic and specialty fruits and vegetables. |
Report recommendations include both
producer and government strategies. The formation of producer community
networks within an accessible area is suggested. These networks
could be used as a forum to distribute knowledge and resources.
Particular areas of attention are trucking and distribution, packaging
and handling, processing and marketing. Other activities and recommendations
are as follows:
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certified organic verification
courses which are available by correspondence;
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a Kootenay Region certification
agency for organic growers;
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producer associations or networks
within the local area (a strong producer association is critical
for functioning with other agences - government, industry,
etc);
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facilitation of distribution
and marketing;
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facilitation of shared storage,
processing, packing and handling facilities;
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direct mail marketing for
processed products; and,
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increasing the information
base - attend seminars, subscribe to grocery industry periodicals. |
The report also recommends that
government can best assist Kootenay Region producers by facilitating
producer community networks and providing extension services. Suggestions
are as follows:
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coordinate and foster information
access between Ministries (ie. Agriculture, Forestry and Small
Business) and Access Centres. "Where to go" or "who
to contact" for information;
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subscribe to and make available
a variety of industry publications;
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publish a quarterly newsletter
which includes a listing of library resources, relevant industry
technology, market and production information from various
sources, and a specialty calendar of events (global);
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facilitate and host seminars
and workshops. Suggested topics include: health and labeling
regulation issues which affect cottage industry processing,
label and package design, Agricultural Land Commission regulations
of on-farm activities, specialized equipment demonstrations,
preparing a (realistic) business plan and processing technologies;
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instigate ongoing medicinal
plant market research of products, prices and volumes on a
global basis. Information is currently available from research
institutes and grower associations. Develop and maintain a
database of this information; and,
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investigate establishing a
Website on the Internet. |
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