Wild Rice Growers Take Advantage Of Insurance Plan

Wild Rice Growers Take Advantage Of Insurance Plan

Tuesday, April 03, 2007 at 14:50

 

 

A wild rice official in La Ronge estimates that as many as 130 northern harvesters have signed onto the government’s new insurance program.

 

There are roughly 200 wild rice growers in Saskatchewan.

 

The region-based pilot project was announced last month.

 

Saskatchewan Agriculture agreed the time had come to include wild rice in the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Program after watching producers endure three straight poor harvests.

 

La Ronge Wild Rice Corporation manager Bill Plunz initially hoped that 60 or more growers would take advantage of the initiative by the March 31st deadline.

 

However, he says the number of sign-ups has exceeded all expectations, and most of the feedback from growers has been enthusiastic.

 

Plunz adds the response has been solid throughout the North — especially on the west side.

 

But he admits some growers would like to see the insurance scheme improved in future years.