Long-term plan needed to ensure enough farm workers

The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is calling on Ottawa to help develop a human resources strategy for the agriculture industry.

Island farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to find and keep workers, according to federation executive director, John Jamieson.

It's a situation he expects will only get worse if a long-term plan isn't developed.

Jamieson saidhe has expressed his concerns to the federal minister and is putting together a written case for a human resources strategy.

Jamieson said the lure of jobs in western Canada is also adding to theproblem.

"Human resources in agriculture is a huge issue," said Jamieson. "It is tough to find people to work on farms. And not just because the wages are what they are, it is tough because it is physical work and we are in an aging population."

"So what we are asking for is actually to look at developing a strategy for human resources on farms andhow we can attract workers. And maybe we need to look at a combination of things,some part-time ownership in an operationalong with some work,or some unique ways to attract people to the industry."

The federationhopesto tap into some money to do some initial work on the farm worker shortage.

Jamieson saidthat could include an initial brainstorming workshop, with follow-up recommendations and eventually a long-term strategy.