Agriculture and Immigration

 

In the 10 years leading up to 2014, Nova Scotia lost an average of 800 people per year due to net outmigration.1 Problems linked to depopulation and outmigration are even more pressing in rural regions. In fact, this was one of the most pressing issues mentioned in the Ivany report (2014). Rural resource-based communities across Nova Scotia face complex economic problems. In addition, agri-businesses in rural Nova Scotia have been on a decline for decades and continue to face challenges associated with the following issues: 

  • Agricultural land and infrastructure are being abandoned. 
  • Aging proprietors within traditional farming communities and businesses. 
  • Agriculture production and agri-food processing labor market shortages.  

On the other hand, it has been highlighted that an increasing number of newcomers to Nova Scotia, including Canadians from other provinces, immigrants, and refugees, are settling in Nova Scotia. Many come from farming and agricultural production communities and bring existing skills and knowledge to agri-businesses. These newcomers have strong backgrounds in agri-food production methodologies and processes, and a desire to work in the food production industry. However, many of these newcomers are settling in urban communities and do not have access to adequate resources that would allow them to start their own farms or agri- businesses.  

In rural Nova Scotia, there are a number of institutions, organizations, and government agencies that are engaged in rural development, agri-food industries, food security, as well as immigrant attraction and retention. The main objective of this project is to identify the primary stakeholders involved in agri-business and immigration and understand the roles they play. We also identify interactions between these stakeholders, with the aim of identifying a strategy for engaging the existing agri-food industry and creating strategic links with newcomers interested in food production and processing.   

 

The research team in this project includes Dr. Claudia De Fuentes, Chris Atwood, and Zainab Almukhtar.

Research supported by CLARI at SMU