Province Holds Agriculture Summit
GRAND FALLS – Premier Brian Gallant and Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet were in Grand Falls on Wednesday to meet with folks in the provinces agriculture sector.
The meeting was just one in a series of Opportunities Summits the province is hosting that focus on identifying new prospects for creating jobs and growth for New Brunswick
A group included New Brunswick growers, food processors and industry partners who shared their ideas for creating growth in the industry. Discussions focused on sustainable employment, adding value to products, succession planning, workforce development, mentoring and opportunities for regional co-operation.
“Our government has been working hard to foster the conditions for businesses to thrive and succeed,” said Gallant. “It is important that we come together to discuss how we can leverage our strengths and create jobs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.”
New Brunswick has one of the highest levels of value-added processing in the agriculture and agri-food sector in the country with almost 80 per cent of agriculture production processed in-province before reaching markets.
The sector generated about 4,500 and 6,200 full-time equivalent jobs in 2013 in primary production and secondary processing activities, respectively.