NWO Agriculture Study

Agriculture is proving to be big business in northwestern Ontario.

A new study found the industry generated more than $62-million in direct farm sales and another $78-million through other farm-related businesses in 2008

Author Don Murray says the study also found farming generating significant employment in the area.

"Every on farm job that its generating is sustaining between 1 and 2 in the wider economy,"says Murray. "and every dollar in farm gate sales is generating about $1.30 in sales beyond the farm gate. It does have an important multiplier effect and speaks to the importance of promoting and ensuring the government programs and policies are in place to support the growth of agriculture."

In the Rainy River district, agriculture generated more than $13-million in direct farm sales, creating over 300 jobs.