Canada needs a coordinated national strategy to help farmers better understand and use agricultural risk management programs, according to a new report prepared for Farm Management Canada.
Released earlier this week, the report said Canadian producers are operating in an increasingly complicated environment shaped by climate volatility, geopolitical instability, policy uncertainty, financial pressure, labour shortages and rapid technological change. Governments have responded with an evolving suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, provincial insurance plans and income stabilization tools, while farm groups and private organizations offer advisory services, educational resources and on-farm planning tools.
However, the report said those resources are often fragmented, inconsistently communicated, and unevenly available across regions and production sectors. Producers may be aware that programs and tools exist without understanding how they work together, when they should be used or how they apply to the specific risks facing their operations.
That uncertainty has left many farmers misinformed, skeptical or disengaged from available programs, the report said. It has also contributed to the underuse of proactive practices such as business planning, risk assessment, contingency planning, and regular consultation with advisors — measures associated with stronger farm resilience, profitability, and wellbeing.
The report identifies ambiguity around the purpose of Canada’s risk management system as a central problem. Communication often concentrates on government BRM rules, eligibility requirements and private insurance products rather than showing farmers how to incorporate those tools into broader financial and business decisions.
As a result, risk management is frequently treated as a response to a crisis or financial loss instead of an ongoing part of farm management. Programs may be viewed either as a default safety net or something to avoid, rather than one component of a comprehensive strategy.
Farm Management Canada is calling for a National Strategy for Education and Communication on Agricultural Risk Management. The proposed strategy would not replace existing BRM programs or resolve every policy issue. Instead, it would serve as an enabling framework that aligns messages, clarifies responsibilities and strengthens the ability of advisors, farm organizations, financial institutions and governments to support producers.
