SUSTAINABLE FARMING WILL PAY OFF FOR P.E.I.

Farmers turning to irrigation instead of more natural solutions to climate change

Drought conditions effects on agriculture in P.E.I. are becoming more significant each year as climate change progresses. The economic, environmental and societal issues which follow potato farms around the Island are the worst seen in over two decades.

Andrew Lawless, one of these potato farmers in recent local reporting, spoke of the challenges he faces, “... I can see the changes each year ... We are going to have to invest more into new techniques to grow crops.”

Only around 10 per cent of potato farmers across P.E.I. have irrigation systems such as Lawless, who said even with 40 per cent of his crops being irrigated, he estimates 30 per cent will be lost.

The need for irrigation systems and similar equipment to counteract these severe drought conditions will most likely impact the economy in both a positive and negative sense. Lawless spoke of his investment in an irrigation system. He described it as pricey at first but completely necessary to make enough money to support his farm.

With this issue of decreased harvested crops due to severe drought conditions comes societal concerns. Lawless mentioned the potato production in P.E.I. was essential to feed communities on and off the island. Another societal concern is the locals’ reliance on farming as work, as much of P.E.I.’s citizens rely on these affected farms.

The increasing need for irrigation systems will lead to further environmental repercussions as irrigation requires resources to build, energy to power and additional usage of freshwater to function. With the inevitability of the drought conditions coming back worse each year if the indirect causes are not fixed, irrigation will become a necessity to produce enough potatoes to support the needs of society.

Although Lawless’s irrigation system is small, he mentions he plans to expand in the future to avoid loss of crops. The serious consequences of these irrigation systems can sometimes include toxic run-off, which flows to the ocean, affecting fish and other aquatic life. Ultimately, the increased usage of irrigation briefly discussed in this article would lead to an increase in three of the nine planetary boundaries: global freshwater usage, ocean acidification and biodiversity loss. Eventually these three boundaries would affect the other six as they’re interconnected.

Between the climate crisis and the threat to the province’s vital potato industry and food security, relying solely on expanded irrigation is a short-term fix that farmers depend on. Mainly because it requires an initial investment of money, time and effort to transition.

We advocate for the adoption of regenerative agriculture, a system that works with natural cycles to build resilient ecosystems, as well as creating long-term resilience and economic stability for farmers in P.E.I. This method involves practices like cover cropping, planting clovers during off-season protects bare soil from erosion and can significantly enhance soil organic matter; reduced tillage which focuses on minimizing soil disturbance and preserves its structure, can increase water infiltration and improve the soil’s ability to retain moisture, just like a sponge.

Now, these approaches are basically transforming the soil itself into a water reserve. Healthier soil with higher organic matter can hold potentially more water, reducing the dependency on unsustainable irrigation and making farms more resistant to climate shocks.

These are not novel concepts but a modern application of Indigenous wisdom. Many First Nations communities have long understood the principle of working with nature rather than just against it. Indigenous land practices include cultural burning to manage water resources and promote biodiversity. Their holistic view of water as a sacred, relational entity provides the essential foundation for this shift.

So, where does this leave the future of farming in the Island? It is through taking this practice into consideration by moving beyond merely extracting from the land, to actively healing it. By focusing on healthy soil, farmers can create their own natural water reserve, fighting drought from the ground up, securing economic viability of farmers and the environmental sustainability of the Island generation to come.

This also means lower cost on fertilizer and a stronger buffer against the next dry summer. It’s a practical way to protect both farmers’ livelihood and the Island environment, and most importantly our beloved potatoes. For P.E.I., it’s a win-win.