The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has signed an agreement with the NWT Association of Communities to develop backyard agriculture bylaws.

The bylaws, which will address beekeeping and the raising of chickens and goats, will be made available to NWT municipalities to be tailored to specific community needs.

The planned collaboration was formalized at the NWT Agriculture Conference, hosted by ITI in Hay River from Oct. 13 to 15.

"As the agriculture sector in our North grows, our communities are keen to advance local farming and food growing initiatives," stated ITI Minister Wally Schumann in an Oct. 20 news release. "This policy development is a crucial step in guiding grassroots agriculture in our territory and supporting the transition to commercial enterprises while protecting public trust and public safety."