The Alberta government plans to provide Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) with $900,000 to hire drone services for aerial assessments of crops if the province’s 2024 budget passes.
Deploying drones is a practical, cost-effective way to assess damage while increasing efficiency in processing claims for producers.
“Alberta’s hardworking farmers and ranchers depend on AFSC programs for peace of mind each growing season,” says RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation. “The high-definition imagery these drone assessments will provide will enable government and AFSC to gain a clearer picture of damage to Alberta’s crop fields and offer more responsive support for producers.”
AFSC helps producers protect themselves against wildlife damage by compensating them through the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. The imagery from these new drones will enhance the ability of AFSC adjusters to provide producers with suitable, timely coverage.
“Alberta’s government investment in our drone services is an exciting step towards improving our support for Alberta’s agriculture industry,” says Darryl Kay, CEO, AFSC. “Adjusters will continue to play an important role in assessing claims, but drones will enable us to view real-time field conditions faster.”
These funds are part of the government and AFSC’s continued commitment to work alongside producers and agri-businesses to support a strong, sustainable and diverse industry into the future.
