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The Policy and Management Division coordinates
long-term policy and program development for Manitoba Agriculture,
Food and Rural Initiatives. This Division conducts research and
analysis, and provides agriculture and food statistics and industry
intelligence to department staff, industry and the general public. The
Division provides for the executive management, planning and control
of departmental policies and programs. Policy and Management provides
funding for the administration of various boards and commissions and
to the University of Manitoba in support of agricultural research. The
Division also provides internet and intranet home page administration
and coordination, marketing and production information to the general
public and staff.
Policy Analysis Branch
The Policy Analysis Branch provides research,
analysis and advice on government policies that affect the
agricultural sector, food products and the rural community. The Branch
also provides program
analysis, evaluation, facilitation, secretariat, technical services and
management support documents that enhance the economy and
effectiveness of the Department’s programs and activities.
The Policy Analysis Branch activities include
providing program input and leadership for the Department's internet
home page; leadership and co-ordination of the Department’s Young
Farmers Newsletter, the Young Farmers website and the Succeeding
Generations Initiative to assist young and beginning producers while
addressing the income need of retiring farmers; providing policy
advice involving the Agricultural Policy Framework and central
co-ordination for its implementation; representing the Province of
Manitoba on federal, provincial and international committees examining
and influencing national and international agricultural, food and
rural policies and programs.
Boards, Commissions and Legislation
The Boards, Commissions and
Legislation Branch provides staff support to the Farm Products
Marketing Council, the Farm Machinery Board, the Milk Prices Review
Commission, the Agricultural Producers’ Organization Certification
Agency and the Farm Practices Protection Board. The Branch conducts
the program delivery functions set out in The Family Farm Protection
Act and The Farm Lands Ownership Act.
The Manitoba Farm Mediation Board administers
The Family Farm Protection Act to help farmers protect and sustain
their agricultural operations through difficult economic times. The
Board receives applications from producers and lenders for
assistance in resolving financial difficulties that arise for farmers. In
addition, the Board administers the Special Farm Assistance Fund to
assist producers with a debt burden in obtaining credit or a leaseback
of property conveyed to their creditor.
Through The Family Farm Protection Act, the
Branch assists farmers in improving and sustaining their farming
operations under difficult economic conditions through mediation with
their creditors, financial counselling and loan payment guarantees.
Under The Farm Lands Ownership Act, the Branch considers applications
for exemption from non-Canadians and public organizations who wish to
acquire an interest in farm land in Manitoba.
Knowledge Management
The Knowledge Management Branch provides
leadership in and encourages adoption of good knowledge management
practices through training and support. The Branch provides statistical, marketing, production and outlook
information to farmers, the agricultural industry and staff.
The Knowledge Management Branch’s activities
include integrating knowledge management processes into the
activities of the Department; managing and promoting the use of the
internal Knowledge Management Warehouse; defining alternative information access methods
(or multi-channel access) for the Department’s clients; and analyzing
domestic and international markets for grains, oilseeds and livestock.
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