Nova Scotia must protect farm land: report

A report prepared by a Halifax-based non-profit research group suggests that Nova Scotia has the capacity to feed itself, if it does more to protect farm land.

GPI Atlantic says in the face of increasing commodity, fuel and transportation costs, the province should not allow its best growing land to fall to developers.

Report author Jennifer Scott says the desire to reduce dependence on imports is rekindling interest in healthy local food systems.

She estimates Nova Scotia farmers need to access nearly half-a-million hectares of crop and pasture land to feed the province, more than the 400,000 hectares currently in use.

The GPI Land Capacity report warns that housing and commercial development continue to pose a threat to the best farm land, particularly in the Annapolis Valley.

Scott estimates the real estate value of provincial farm land at more than $560 million, which makes it tempting to farmers to sell it off when they can't make a living.