Industrial farming operations in the Northwest Territories (NWT) are becoming increasingly viable.
Many reports have heralded a phenomenon to what is named “climate-driven agricultural frontiers”.
As temperature rises, traditional farming areas are drying out ands land previously too cold for conventional agriculture is warming up.
Caroline Wawzonek, NWT’s industry Minister, argues that the territory’s climate and issues around land access are significant limiting factors to unchecked agricultural growth.
In her role, Wawzonek has spoken about making significant investments “in large-scale development on established and growing commercial farm businesses” and describes the area as a “quickly growing industry with enormous potential.”
Agricultural grants in the NWT are offered through the federal Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
While eligibility focuses on market-oriented farming, Wawzonek says community-focused farming or gardening may qualify for other territorial funding.
Mindy Jewell Price, an author of a new paper exploring “climate-driven agricultural frontiers” suggest agroecology as an alternative.
This is a method of farming in which proponents try to produce food as efficiently as possible in a way that conserves and enhances natural ecosystems.
Food security, land stewardship and community-building, rather than profit, are primary goals.
Some proponents also see agroecology as a way of improving economic resilience.