The provincial government announced $13-million today to create jobs in the agriculture sector.

Minister Gerry Byrne says the funding supports employment in rural communities and helps open new markets and products.

The money will go towards a number of initiatives, including:

• $3.5-million to boost local beef production
• $2.75-million to develop land for large-scale potato production
• $1.5-million for regional equipment banks
• $1.4-million to build access roads to agricultural ‘areas of interest’
• $1.25-million to develop regional vegetable cold storage facilities
• $1-million to construct a greenhouse complex at the Western Agriculture Centre Research Station in Pynn’s Brook
• $300,000 for training and support of the beekeeping industry

The initiatives supported by this funding announcement are expected to create some 250 seasonal and permanent jobs.