Implications of the Gardiner Dam on interregional competition in the marketing of selected agricultural products
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine what implications the
development of irrigated production in the Gardiner Dam region of
Central Saskatchewan would have on agricultural production and marketing
patterns in other regions of Canada.
A spatial equilibrium linear programming model capable of determining
optimum regional production patterns on the basis of economic efficiency
was employed. The model considered three crops - table potatoes, sugar
beets and fresh carrots, under various 1966 and 1976 regional conditions.
To aid in accomplishing the objective of the study, a comparison was made
of the results when non-irrigated and irrigated production in the Gardiner
Dam area were considered.
The study revealed, under both 1966 and 1976 conditions, that the
Gardiner Dam irrigation area could allow Saskatchewan to become selfsufficient
in meeting all of its potato demand during the "in-season"
periods. It did not appear feasible to export potatoes from the irrigation
area outside the province.
It was shown that the Gardiner Dam area was competitive in meeting all
of Saskatchewan's sugar requirements, but that development of such a crop
hinges directly upon the construction of a local sugar refinery.
The study revealed that fresh carrot production could be expanded in
all regions of Western Canada. The degree of development in other regions
would directly affect the acreage possible in the irrigation area.
The results of this study are particularly useful in regional long
range planning and policy making by governmental institutions.