When we think of farming, we tend to think of expansive fields of crops, farmers riding tractors, or cows eating grass next to a big red barn. Agriculture is much more than that, such as making sure crops are healthy, making sure the livestock are fed properly, irrigating crops, adapting to weather patterns, and introducing new technology to reduce costs and increase output. Water plays a major role in each of these activities, and effective water management allows our agricultural industry to thrive.
Despite its dry climate, farming in Alberta has been happening for well over a century. With its nutrient-rich soil, the province is a leading producer of canola, wheat, dry peas, barley, and cattle, and is expanding its food processing capabilities. Alberta’s arable lands and abundance of sunshine make it an ideal region to produce agricultural products of all sorts. Alberta’s extensive irrigation network allows for a wider variety of crops to be grown, as we can produce crops that need more water than is received as rain.
Alberta has one of the world’s most productive agricultural sectors, [2] and it stands as Canada’s second-largest agricultural producer. In fact, 40% of Canada’s cattle are raised in Alberta and 20% of Alberta’s cleantech ventures [3] are in the agriculture tech sector.
Alberta’s abundant farmland brings enormous economic benefits. In 2022, more than 75,000 Albertans were employed by the agricultural sector, which contributed nearly $9.7 billion to the provincial economy in 2020. Moreover, the industry isn’t showing any signs of cooling off anytime soon; agricultural labour demand in Alberta is expected to grow by 1.1 per cent each year between 2022 and 2025, which is more than double the nationwide average of 0.5 per cent. Agricultural products produced in Alberta are distributed within the province and to communities worldwide – playing a massive role in food security for individuals all over the world.
We have chosen various focus areas to show the connections between water and agriculture in Alberta. Click the menu to the right to explore.
Albertans take pride in their past, present and future ties to agriculture. Here are some facts on current industry players and investments in the future of agriculture [4].
This phase of the project has been made possible by Nutrien, Enbridge, and Manulife Financial, along with the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
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