| | Drought Preparedness Actions
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Drought preparedness strategy outlined in the Agriculture Drought Risk Management Plan, focuses on year-round efforts, especially during non-drought times, to increase the level of readiness of the agricultural community and government to respond to the next drought.
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When drought occurs, farm managers are impacted not only by the drought, but by other aspects of the weather, the global economy, and the political will of various leaders responding to the drought conditions. In order to be prepared when drought occurs, farm managers make the decision to use, or not to use, a number of drought mitigation tools as best fits their risk management plan. The following describes preparedness actions that may be undertaken.
| Action | Agent |
| Goal: Actions before, during, and after drought are coordinated and effective. |
| Participate in AFSC insurance and risk management programs. | Producers |
| Develop secure water supplies, water storage and distribution facilities to improve water supply security. | Municipalities and individual water users |
| Improve water conveyance efficiencies: agricultural, municipal and industrial water. | Municipalities and individual water users |
| Develop and use risk assessments for use in water development planning. | Alberta and federal government agencies |
| Goal: Producers are able to manage periodic drought; are prepared and less vulnerable to significant drought. |
Provide relevant and accessible drought preparedness and management information through:
Ropin’ the Web and other websites; newspapers, including AgriNews; television and radio; and seminars and school programs. | Producers
Alberta and federal government agencies |
| Package existing information on drought management and water conservation to target specific agriculture sectors under various drought conditions. |
| Promote water conservation to irrigation districts and private irrigators. |
| Encourage the development of secure long-term water supplies. |
| Form partnerships with the agricultural community, seed plants, and others to promote water conservation and drought management. |
| Selection of crop type and varieties, choices in herbicide/pesticide/ fertilizer use, decisions about timing of planting / harvest, infrastructure choices, like type of machinery and buildings. | Agricultural industry organizations and individual producers |
| Promote the Growing Forward Programs, such as the Growing Forward Water Management Program to Alberta’s agricultural producers. | Alberta Government |
| Goal: Government response to drought is consistent. |
| Partners (Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, AAMD&C and industry representatives) communicate and coordinate responses, where possible, including timely meetings and correspondence. | Alberta Government |
| Increase access to available water supplies, upgrade pumping facilities and increase storage capacity. | Municipalities |
| Ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting of precipitation and soil moisture conditions. | Alberta Government |
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