Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Discuss Curfew Issues Affecting Agro Producers

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Discuss Curfew Issues Affecting Agro Producers

 

27th, November 2020: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai; Minister of Public Utilities and Logistics Rodwell Ferguson; Minister of Rural Transformation, Labor and Local Government Community Development and Rural Development Oscar Requeña; Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Orlando Habet, along with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, CEO Servulo Baeza and members of the management team of the Ministry of Agriculture met this afternoon in Belmopan, to discuss issues having to do with the curfew regulations to be imposed over the weekend and their effects on producers and the movement of essential goods, services, and products.

The meeting was held to facilitate agro-producers around the country as the new curfew regulations are implemented this weekend. Curfew regulations often affect producers who sometimes need to move animals and essential products during the hours of curfew. The Ministry of Agriculture has taken a leadership role in ensuring producers are affected as little as possible by curfew regulations, as the productive sector is important to the wellbeing of the nation.

 

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Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Visit Villages affected by the Flooding

Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Visited Villages affected by Flooding

On Thursday, November 19th, 2020, the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno, and Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise visited Maypen Village in the Belize District to get a firsthand look at the situation involving cattle rescue due to flooding.

Maypen is a settlement that lies off the Philip Goldson Highway, approximately 27 miles outside Belize City. Residents of the area are involved in cattle ranching which has been impacted by the recent rains and the rising Belize River. Cattle in the area have become stranded and are in danger of drowning.

Minister Mai was apprised of the situation at a meeting during his familiarization tour. Quick action on the Minister’s part led to collaboration with the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA), Banana Bank Lodge, Caribbean Tires, and Mennonite ranchers from the villages of Blue Creek and Shipyard, who provided boats and trailers to help rescue the stranded animals. Of the approximately 300 heads of stranded cattle, 60 have already been rescued.

The Prime Minister and Minister Mai visited the area where they spoke with ranchers and got a first-hand look at the rescue efforts. Prime Minister Briceño and Hon. Mai praised the efforts of all involved, especially the BLPA and ranchers from Blue Creek and Shipyard, who came from afar to support the rescue efforts.

  Accompanied by area representative for Belize Rural North, Hon. Marconi Leal, the Prime Minister and Minister Mai also visited Crooked Tree to get a look at the flooding and spoke to affected residents. The causeway is underwater and several families in the village have been evacuated to shelters.

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Presentation of funds to implement phase II of Sheep and Goat project

Presentation of funds to implement phase II of Sheep and Goat project

On Tuesday, October 20th, H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, presented a cheque for BZ$744,000 to the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Edmund Zuniga, for the implementation of the Cooperation in Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project. 

 In March of this year, the project agreement was signed by Senator Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Food and Agriculture, and the Ambassador. It is a four-year project with an approved total budget of US$3 million, of which the Government of Belize will contribute US$500,000 as counterpart funding and the Taiwan Government will finance US$2.5 million. 

The main objectives of the project are as follows:  

  • Assist Belizean farmers in improving the quality of the sheep and goats through enhanced genetics;
  • Conduct market value chain analysis and implement a marketing program to promote consumption and market penetration for sheep and goat products; and
  • Strengthen the Sheep and Goat Traceability System to improve value chain efficiencies and branding quality of sheep and goat products. 

In the initial phase of the project, the Sheep and Goat Breeding Centre was established at the Central Farm Research and Innovation Center in the Cayo District, where improved and registered sheep and goats are now available for sale. Sheep and goat production have tremendous growth potential on the domestic market and on the regional export market.  

 The two governments expressed their desire and dedication for further strengthening of friendship and cooperative relations through the implementation of this project. 

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Minister of Food and Agriculture Attends the 36th FAO Regional Virtual Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean

The Minister of Food and Agriculture Attends the 36th FAO Regional Virtual Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean

Belize joins today the 36th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean. The three days conference which began on the 19th of October 2020, will end today 21st of October 2020.

The 36th FAO Regional Conference brings together all FAO member countries in the region to establish the Organization’s regional priorities for the next two years, with Nicaragua as the country host.

At the Conference, FAO will report on the results achieved in the period 2018-2019 and will assist countries to find joint solutions to the challenges of food security, rural development, innovation, climate change, and sustainable agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and forestry.

The conference will also focus on transforming food systems for healthy diets for all, moving hand-in-hand towards prosperous and inclusive rural societies, sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, and driving innovation and digital agriculture.

Representation from Belize is being led by the Hon. Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister of Food and Agriculture, and Immigration; accompanied by Mr. Edmund Zuniga, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Food and Agriculture; Mr. Andrew Harrison, Chief Agriculture Officer, Mr. Armando Aban, FAO National Correspondence for Belize, and other personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

The following topics to be addressed by the Minister of Agriculture during the conference is

  • Sustainable and Climate Resilient Agriculture
  • Innovation and Digital Agriculture.
  • Improving FAO’s capabilities to save member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Drought Press Release

Drought Press Release #1

The National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize hereby informs the general public that the seasonal rainfall forecast for April to September 2020 is showing a probability of drier than usual conditions across much of the country. Driest conditions are expected over northern and central areas while rainfall over the Stann Creek and Toledo district is expected to be normal to slightly below normal. One of the main climatic drivers in our region is the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Whenever there is an El Nino, as was the case in 2019, there is high confidence that our region will see less than normal rainfall. However, for this year the ENSO is expected to remain in a neutral phase for the coming months. This creates greater uncertainty in the seasonal forecasts.

Given the forecast for below-normal rainfall during the coming months along with the fact that groundwater and surface reservoirs continue low from last year’s drought, the National Meteorological Service maintains a drought warning for the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk Cayo, Belize, and Stann Creek and a drought watch for the Toledo district. An increase in pests and diseases associated with drier than normal conditions is also highly likely along with sporadic fires outbreaks. Additionally, the NMS advises that the situation on the New River may be similar to last year taking into account the rainfall factor alone, therefore constant monitoring is required. For additional details and products, the general public is advised to keep up to date with information published on the NMS website at http://www.hydromet.gov.bz/.

The National Meteorological Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Immigration (MFAI), calls for water conservation at all levels and advises farmers and ranchers to take the necessary precautions for minimizing losses of crops and livestock. A detailed list of drought mitigation measures that can assist in minimizing agricultural losses can be found on the websites of the NMS, MFAI, https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/sustainable-agriculture/, Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA) https://www.geoportal.baha.org.bz and the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) https://geoportal.oirsa.org/

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For more information please contact:
fblanco@oirsa.org
kenrick.witty@baha.org.bz
dir.wmcc@agriculture.gov.bz
joel.villanueva@baha.org.bz
syoung@hydromet.gov.bz

Minister of Agriculture Visited the Toledo District School Gardens

Minister of Agriculture Visited the Toledo District School Gardens

The Minister of Agriculture visited various school Gardens in the Toledo District. The tour allowed the Minister to get a first-hand impression of the operations and standards of the school gardens. Over the past years, the Ministry of Agriculture has been supporting school garden programs by providing training for teachers and students on the operation of gardens, technical assistance, and inputs as well as additional support.

Minister of Agriculture Embarks in a National School Garden Tour

The Minister of Agriculture Senator the Hon. Godwin Hulse has embarked on a National School Garden Tour from February through March 2020.

 The purpose of the tour is to allow the Minister to get a first-hand impression of the operations and standards of the school gardens.

 Over the past years, the Ministry of Agriculture has been supporting school garden programs by providing training for teachers and students on the operation of gardens, technical assistance and inputs as well as additional support.

 The Minister is being accompanied by personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

Completion Ceremony of the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project

Completion Ceremony of the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize jointly announce the successful completion of “The Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project” (The Sheep Project). A ceremony to mark the completion of the project was held on November 28, 2019, at the National Agricultural Show Grounds in Belmopan.

At the ceremony, the numerous accomplishments of the Sheep Project were highlighted. The greatest impact has been seen at the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center (known as the sheep barn) which is jointly operated under improved management conditions by the Sheep Project and is producing a diverse genetic stock of quality sheep. The barn infrastructure of a 400-sheep capacity was successfully developed with all of its related components of five manure conveyor sets and an elevator, as well as other infrastructure to enhance the operation and management of the sheep. Of critical importance is the introduction of quality sheep genetics of three popular breeds, namely Dorper, Barbados Blackbelly and Katahdin, successfully imported from the United States which are being managed at the breeding center for genetic improvement of sheep in the country. Several workshops were also held under the Sheep Project to help raise the professional knowledge of sheep producers countrywide.

The ceremony not only marked a historical milestone in the small ruminant industry but also the strong ties between the two countries. Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen shared with the participants that the draft agreement for the second phase of the Sheep Project, which will focus on the cooperation in breeding sheep and goat production and guidance system enhancement, has been presented to the Ministry of Agriculture. It will continue to strengthen the value-added production and market linkage in the sheep industry through the cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture.

There were approximately 100 persons in attendance at the ceremony, including representatives from the Embassy of Taiwan, Ministry of Agriculture, technical officers from Belize Livestock Producers Association, OIRSA, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and sheep farmers. The Sheep Project started four years ago after the signing of an agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in December 2015.

Pictures of the event:

Launching of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers

Launching of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers

On Tuesday 3rd of December 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) hosted the official launching of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project” and “Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers”.

The Ministry of Agriculture has identified beekeeping and vegetable production under protected covered structures as priority areas for development due to their high potential for enterprise development, economic opportunities for rural communities and their eco-friendly nature which coincides with the Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy GSDS (2015-2020) which calls for new and emerging sustainable ventures with good economic prospects.

The “Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project” formulated and funded in collaboration with Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) has come at an opportune time to support various beekeeping initiatives which will focus on capacity building and training of beekeepers and local personnel, establishment of demo apiaries, organization and infrastructural support with equipment and materials to undoubtedly enhance the industry.

The project main objectives are to:

· increase rural livelihoods options through beekeeping especially among women and youth;

· increase national production and productivity of beekeeping, and to increase the quality of honey and honey products through the promotion of standards and good operating practices.

The second project on covered structure funded also by the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) which spans over two years’ aim is to continue enhancing the capacity and capability of our producers in covered structure technology for vegetable production. The completed thirty structures will cover an area of 27,000 square feet or 0.62 acres. The project will ensure the participation of women, youths, indigenous people and/or other disadvantaged groups.

The project main objectives are to:

· Increase the efficiency of vegetable production under covered structures by improving the construction, design and irrigation systems of at least 30 structures by the end of 2021.

· Increase capacity building of extension personnel and farmers involved in the production of vegetables under covered structures by hosting at least 2 workshops for at least 10 extension personnel and 50 farmers.

Pictures of the event:

Workshop on Coconut Production

Workshop on Coconut Production

November 25, 2019, The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Mexican counterpart – SAGARP through the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries (INIFAP) concluded its three days training workshop on Friday November 22nd, on Capacity Building for the Improvement of Coconut Production and its Uses, at the Central Farm Station.

The three days’ workshop which covered a wide range of technical training materials was attended by coconut producers, technical personnel from Central Farm Station, Extensions Officers and representatives from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

Facilitators for the training were Dr. Feliciano Gerardo Balderas from the State of Nayarit and Ms. Matilde Cortazar Rios from the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. At the end of the day, the presentation of a certificate was issued to all participants who completed the training.