SRIG 23-29: What are the experiences, needs and priorities of farmers in the Comox Valley to increase drought resilience?

What was the issue being addressed?

The research is focused on improving agricultural drought resilience in the Comox Valley. The "Gathering for Resilience" regional dialogue will bring farmers together to discuss their experiences with the growing drought in the Tsolum River watershed. Discussions will concentrate on the needs and priorities of local farmers as they confront challenges linked to climate change and water scarcity. These insights will be instrumental in shaping drought adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Provide a brief, lay description of the work undertaken/initiative.

The objective of the project is to understand farmers’ experiences with drought in the Comox Valley and gather farmer needs and priorities to increase drought resilience. The objective involves bringing together local farmers, the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS) at KPU, and the Mid-Island Farmers Institute (MIFI) in the Comox Valley to discuss their needs and priorities relating to drought impacts. This will inform the development of adaptation and mitigation strategy recommendations, including what extension services, knowledge, infrastructure and other supports may be necessary to ensure that the agricultural sector in the region can remain viable through periods of water scarcity. To fulfill this objective, dialogue sessions with farmers will be conducted, to record and document the climate impacts they are experiencing. This data will provide a comprehensive overview of how drought conditions are affecting decision-making, farm viability, and sustainability. Through these dialogue sessions, the needs of farmers will be identified, prioritized and recorded. This step is essential in determining which areas require focused attention, whether it's on-farm water storage, mulching, drought-resistant crops, mulching, microclimate selections etc. Beyond the event itself, the objective is to catalyze future action and secure stable funding for drought-resilient farming in the Comox Valley. There is a growing awareness of the need for resilience-building activities, such as dryland farming workshops, field research trials for low-to-no irrigation methods, and water resilience infrastructure. These next steps are crucial to achieving sustainable agriculture in the region. In summary, the project's primary objective is to address drought resilience in the Comox Valley by understanding the impacts, identifying adaptive strategies, fostering collaboration, and supporting future actions.