Department of Agriculture: About us

The Department of Agriculture helps support and grow agriculture and agri-food throughout the province. We develop programs, services and polices to help farming in rural and urban communities be more competitive, sustainable and profitable.

The department works with farmers, community groups and partners to help increase the province’s food supply and improve food security. We also promote the importance of buying local and help consumers find local farms, food and beverage producers and products.

• supporting the economic growth and sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector
• providing agriculture programs and services to help food and beverage producers, processors and commodity associations
• promoting Nova Scotia food and beverage products to local and export markets
• overseeing the province’s agriculture legislation, including supply management
• providing financing and credit counselling for the agriculture and agri-food sector

The Department of Agriculture has about 160 staff across the province who provide support for industry development, agriculture and food operations and agriculture risk management and lending.

• helping create and promote responsible economic growth in the agriculture and agri-food sector
• supporting research and innovation
• helping increase public awareness of local food and beverage producers and products
• increasing trade and market access for food and beverage producers and products
• encouraging value-added opportunities that create new product offerings from producers and processors