 |
|
VICTORIA
– Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat
Bell will launch his first podcast on the ministry’s website today, as part of
the Province’s plan to explore innovative methods in which to connect with B.C.
farmers and those considering a career in agriculture.
Through the use of
the newest Internet technology – podcasts and YouTube – the Province can
connect with B.C. farmers to provide up-to-date information and services.
Farmers, potential farmers and other industry stakeholders can find specifics
on the industry as a whole, updates on provincial agriculture initiatives,
monthly newsletters, and the latest listing of agriculture related events
happening across the province. In his first podcast, the minister unveils a new
Agriculture Calendar now available online at: http://infobasket.gov.bc.ca/RemotePortlets/CommunitySpecific/Welcome/Extension_Events.asp.
“British
Columbia’s Agri-Food industry reported in 2001 that the percentage of farm
operators between the ages of 35 and 54 was 53 per cent in comparison with only
eight per cent under 35 years of age,” said Bell. “It is our responsibility as
a Province to make every effort to engage the younger farmers who use the
Internet as their tool of choice and who ultimately will drive the future of
the agriculture industry in B.C.”
The latest statistics show
that 8,146 B.C. farms were using a computer in 2001, compared to 5,144 in 1996,
and 70 per cent of the farms reported using the Internet. That number is expected to
increase substantially when data from the 2006 Agriculture Census becomes
available. Reports also show that farms
with higher sales were more likely to use a computer.
“Internet technology has
altered the traditional borders of commerce and our provincial agriculture
sector needs to be able to be competitive in a mounting global marketplace,”
said Bell. “Tomorrow’s farmers will rely more heavily on computer-based data to
educate and inform themselves, market their products and stay connected with
their competitors.”
To access Minister Bell’s podcast visit: www.gov.bc.ca/al/popt/media_room/podcast.htm. The ministry YouTube site is available at: www.youtube.com/profile?user=AgandLands.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-0269 (cell) |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
