B.C. fruit growers rally for more government support

B.C. fruit growers are calling for more support from theprovince following years of extreme weather.

On Tuesday, more than200 growers rallied in the town of Osoyoos in B.C.'s southern Interior where the B.C. NDPcaucus is holding its retreat to raise awareness about their struggles and askfor more help from the provincial government.

Farmers say that since 2021 theyhave had to deal with the effects ofa heat dome, cold weather, floods, and wildfires. This year, fruit growers say theyare dealingwith crops that were devastated by a January cold snap, as well asthe years-long process of replacing and replanting dead trees.

"This year is the worst out of all the past three, four years," Kelowna-based farmer Mani Gill said in an interview with Radio West.

WATCH: B.C. cherry farmer facing complete crop failure this year

B.C. cherry farmer facing complete crop failure this year

4 months ago

Duration 5:35

Alicea Shukin, a fourth-generation cherry farmer from Creston, B.C., recently made a TikTok video about how her family is facing up to a complete lack of fruit growth this year.

Gill is also a board member of the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association, which organized the rally.

He acknowledged that the province is providing up to $70 million to help vineyards and orchards replant and adapt to climate change. But he said growers still need to put in their own money.

"We don't like asking for handouts," he said.

"[But] B.C. is the least funded province for agriculture in Canada. The government whatever party it is, NDP, B.C. United, Conservative, whoever it is really needs to look at agriculture and see the benefits it brings to B.C. and really startsupporting us."

Premier David Ebyattended the rally to meet with growers.

At a press conference earlier that morning, NDP house leader Ravi Kahlon said B.C. officials have been meeting with growers "for months" to hear about their challenges.

"People are dealing with the impacts of climate change right now on the ground," Kahlonsaid. "Our government is committed not only to take on climate change, but also support communities through those challenging times."

In the meantime, Gill is trying to stay optimistic. He said he took over his family's farm five years ago and wants to pass it on to his children in the future.

"We're going to get through this," Gill said. "But at this point, we just need some help [to] get us through the next couple years, but we'll bounce back. We always do."