(Toronto) More than 40 percent of farm operators will retire in the next decade, according to a new report, causing shortages in Canada.
The document, produced by the Royal Bank of Canada, the Boston Consulting Group Center for Canada’s Future and the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, indicates the country will be short of 24,000 farmers, nurseries and greenhouses.
In addition, 66% of producers have no succession plan.
To address the shortage and lack of succession plans, Canada needs to absorb 30,000 permanent immigrants by 2033, to take over existing farms and greenhouses or build their own, according to the report.
It also recommends that the country strengthen farm education and increase spending on automation, which can make existing farms more efficient.
According to the report, the shortage will come at a critical time as Canada’s agricultural sector must produce significantly more food for a growing world population, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate targets.
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