PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Prince Edward Island must find new ways of competing on international agricultural markets, says a joint federal-provincial commission.

The Commission on the Future of Agriculture and Agri-Food, established in May, released an interim report Tuesday that offers a snapshot of the state of agriculture on P.E.I. The commission concluded the Island cannot continue to compete in efficiency-driven commodity markets.

"We're not winning against the bigger international players in the commodity market game," said commission co-chair Rory Francis in a news release.

The report divides Island farms into two categories: the roughly 640 farms with a gross income of $100,000 or more, and about 1,100 smaller farms that are often dependent on outside sources of income. It notes more than 80 per cent of agricultural production comes from those larger farms.

The number of larger farms has been growing, says the report, but even those larger farms are often reporting losses, and re-creating a vibrant agricultural economy will require substantial change.

"It's clear that a 10-degree course alteration won't put things on the right track," said co-chair Dr. Ed Tyrchniewicz.

The work of the commission is continuing, and a report with more specific recommendations for the direction of P.E.I. agriculture is expected in October.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW