GUELPH — The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) appears to be on a fast-track with the province to bring home a risk management program (RMP), something farmers have been pressing for in recent years with increasing frustration.

The province, commodity boards and OFA leaders have given themselves a late April deadline to put together a plan. The hope is to pass the plan in theLegislative Assembly before the provincial Members of Parliament break for the summer and begin their campaign run to the provincial election in October.

There are two reasons for renewed expectations of a program, says OFA president Geri Kamenz.

"The risk of a huge payment is that much reduced on a go-forward basis," he said. Last year’s low-farm income would have meant a huge government pay-out, which was hard for politicians to swallow. "It’s now more affordable than it was one year ago."

Secondly, this is an election year and the McGuinty government wants rural support, he said. "We’re down to the nitty-gritty details," Kamenz said, noting that the RMP is being designed to fit the needs of each commodity group. For instance, there are eight programs in horticulture.