Agriculture minister David Marit is hoping a new 5 year federal-provincial farm policy framework can be hammered out in meetings Thursday and Friday in Saskatoon.

Marit says the provincial agriculture ministers are seeking a 25 percent hike in federal funding for farm business risk programs and trade development, while Ottawa’s offer so far is about half that figure.

Among the many issues, Marit would like to see increased funding for farm water development projects.

The 5 year farm policy framework expires next March.