Executive Summary

The prosperity of the OBAC region has long been reliant on its timber resources. However the mountain pine beetle epidemic is expected to create challenges for the traditional forest sector for several decades. OBAC is developing sector strategies that provide recommendations which are

The agriculture strategy is important to the region for the following reasons:

• The agriculture industry has historically been very important to the region. However, over the past decade the productivity and diversity of the region’s industry has declined relative to the province as a whole;
• The capability of the region to ‘cost-effectively’ produce food for local and other markets is not being fully realized;
• A renewed interest in enhancing regional and local food security, and accessing locally produced foods matches well with an interest in diversifying the region’s economy. This will create new opportunities;
• A renewal of the sector, which includes development of new products and new markets is now needed; and
• Focused and collaborative efforts by the agriculture sector, business and senior and local governments are required to explore available opportunities and return the sector to profitability.

The communities of the region envision a future with an active, diversified, and profitable agriculture sector that is supported by regionally situated, responsive education and training, and effective research programs. The sector emphasizes food production that is sustainable and responsible; a sector that collaborates with health agencies, educational institutions, local governments, community groups, and others to develop measures to expand and diversify the industry. Using multiple strategies, the agriculture sector will be successful in local markets, be profitable with established products, develop new specialty and other products, and grow to serve broader provincial, national, and international markets.

The region has a strong agriculture community and many members were consulted to develop this strategy. This strategy will position the sector for short-term growth targeting local markets while laying the foundation for product diversification and growth to eventually reach provincial, national and international markets.

Four objectives have been developed to help achieve the regional vision.