BURSTAs the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) ramps up watering restrictions to historic levels in response to severe drought conditions, the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) is calling for an immediate plan to ensure orchard survival.
Greater Vernon Water announced heightened water restrictions across the board Wednesday, June 3. Agriculture accounts for the biggest amount of water use in the area, and the sector has been hit with a restriction mandating a 70 per cent reduction in water use.
In a press release issued Friday, the BCFGA says it recognizes that Greater Vernon Water is facing a serious water shortage, but growers are asking that the remaining water supply be managed in a way that protects long-term food production and prevents “avoidable loss” of mature orchards.
The Greater Vernon area has about 2,100 acres of apple and cherry orchards, the association said, adding it estimates that widespread orchard loss could result in more than $250 million in direct losses, with broader regional impacts exceeding $300 million when lost production, labour, packing, trucking, suppliers and related businesses are considered.
“Growers understand the seriousness of the drought,” said Deep Brar, president of the BCFGA. “But a 70 per cent reduction in agricultural water is not just a crop-production issue. At that level, this becomes an orchard-survival issue.”
Greater Vernon’s normal agricultural allocation is approximately 550 millimetres of water per season. A 70 per cent reduction leaves approximately 165 millimetres, the association said.
“That number should concern everyone,” said Brar. “Peer-reviewed apple research has documented severe drought impacts and agronomic death in mature apple trees at a comparable seasonal water-use level. This does not mean every orchard will respond the same way, but it clearly shows these restrictions are entering a danger zone for perennial crops.”
BCFGA says orchards must be treated differently than lawns, landscapes, or annual crops.
“A lawn can go dormant and recover. An annual crop can be replanted next year. A mature apple or cherry orchard is long-term food-producing infrastructure,” said Brar. “If those trees die, the impact is measured in years, not weeks.”
BCFGA is urging Greater Vernon Water, local governments, provincial agencies, and growers to use next Wednesday’s agricultural water-user meeting to develop a practical mitigation plan.
The association is asking for answers on four issues:
1. How much water will remain available to each agricultural property
2. What crop-science analysis was used to assess orchard survival under the restrictions
3. What options exist to prioritize limited water toward keeping perennial crops alive
4. What provincial support will be available if water shortages cause permanent orchard loss
BCFGA is also urging other Okanagan water suppliers that may be considering similar restrictions to engage early with growers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and affected commodity groups before decisions are finalized, saying early coordination may help keep losses at the crop level, rather than allowing water shortages to become permanent orchard-level damage.
Additionally, the association is asking that production insurance and business risk management staff be briefed now, so that the province has early visibility on potential losses, program exposure and the financial risks facing affected farms.
“Growers are ready to do their part,” said Brar. “They have invested heavily in drip irrigation, micro-sprinklers, soil moisture monitoring, and precision irrigation scheduling. What they need now is transparency, technical analysis, and a coordinated plan to protect food-producing orchards wherever possible.
BCFGA said it remains committed to working with Greater Vernon Water, local governments, First Nations, the B.C. government and growers to manage the water shortage while protecting agriculture’s long-term viability.