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AgriStability Comes Home to Saskatchewan
Discussions are underway with the federal government to move delivery of the AgriStability Program to Saskatchewan under the governance of the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation. The province believes it can improve customer service, increase the responsiveness to Saskatchewan producers, and lower costs to deliver the program. It is ideally suited to be paired with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance because of synergies between the two programs.
Delivery of the AgriStability program is expected for the 2009 program year with full processing by mid 2010. Program participants who have inquiries as to how this transition will impact their files should call the toll free line at 1-866-270-8450. Read the news release here.
Questions and Answers
Why move AgriStability to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance?
Transferring the program administration to Saskatchewan will lead to improved service for producers.It is ideally suited to be paired with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance because of the synergies between the two programs. As a result, customer service will be enhanced, and decisions have the advantage of being made locally.
How will service improve for producers through this initiative?
Crop Insurance staff have built a strong, positive relationship with their customers over the years. The staff are knowledgeable of their local farming and ranching community and the needs of their customers. The same level of quality customer service standards will apply to the AgriStability Program customers as well.
Staff will also be available at Crop Insurance offices to meet one on one with producers to answer any questions they may have.
When do you expect to have the program up and running within the province?
Transition to provincial delivery of the program will begin in 2010 with processing of applications for the 2009 program year. Details of the transition will be finalized with the federal government over the next few months.
How many jobs will AgriStability create?
Approximately 110 new jobs will be created at the Crop Insurance head office in Melville, and 30 new jobs will be created at Crop Insurance offices throughout rural Saskatchewan.
Will the addition of AgriStability to Crop Insurance slow down processes with Crop Insurance claims, adjusting, payments, etc.?
It will be business as usual at Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. The addition of AgriStability to Saskatchewan Crop Insurance is meant to enhance services, not detract from them.
What does this mean for my 2007 (or 2008) application/ who do I contact to get information on previous years files?
Saskatchewan AgriStability applications for 2007 and 2008 will be processed by the federal administration. Applications for the 2009 program year will be processed by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance.
How can program participants direct their inquiries during the transition?
A call centre at Crop Insurance has been set up at 1-866-270-8450.
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