12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)

12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)

30/9/19: Belize City. The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with CARICOM Secretariat hosted the 12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture on September 30th to October 4th 2019, at the Belize Best Biltmore Plaza, Belize City.

The Regional Planners Forum was being hosted under the theme “Capitalizing on the New Frontier in Global Agriculture” which seeks to take advantage of new opportunities emerging in agriculture globally. The Regional Planners Forum has been an integral part of the regional agriculture planning and development since its inception.  The main objective of the Planner’s Forum was to provide a neutral platform for stakeholders to advance the discussion and build cooperation on matters of importance to regional agriculture enhancement.  Therefore, providing an opportunity to agree on directions and contribute to the development of policies and programs that capitalized on opportunities while addressing existing, imminent and emerging challenges.

This year’s forum offered an opportunity for Member States (MS) and development partners in the Region, to take stock of their collective efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development and the challenges in meeting these goals over the last decade. The Planners Forum played a critical role in furthering the Regional dialogue on agriculture.  Moreover, it was the single most important opportunity to convene key agriculture development leaders in the region to explore emerging sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives, that are of critical importance at the national and regional levels. The Forum provided opportunities to identify approaches to combat climate change, explore climate financing in agriculture, and disaster risk reduction and building sector resilience. The general direction is one that focuses on strengthening climate change adaptation in agriculture, promoting trade through food safety and standards and creating nutritionally relevant food systems in CARICOM. The sub-themes for the Forum are further disaggregated as follows:

  • CARICOM Regional Agricultural Policy in Action
  • Capitalizing on Wealth Creation in Agri-Business
  • Propelling ICT and Innovation in Agriculture
  • Emerging Opportunities in Agribusiness

The week of activities included the hosting of the other regional bodies liked:

  • The 81st Special Meeting of COTED(Agriculture)
  • The 7th CARICOM Sugar Stakeholder Meeting
  • CARDI Board of Governors Meeting
  • CAHFSA Board Meeting and
  • CRFM Ministerial Meeting

At the core of the forum, the intent was to build strong local, regional and hemispheric partnerships, incorporating innovative approaches and fostering inclusive development, to offer enhancement opportunities to the region.

 

 

12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)

12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)

30/9/19: Belize City. The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with CARICOM Secretariat are hosting the 12th Regional Planners Forum and the 81st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture from September 30th to October 4th 2019, at the Belize Best Biltmore Plaza, Belize City.

The Regional Planners Forum is being hosted under the theme “Capitalizing on the New Frontier in Global Agriculture” which seeks to take advantage of new opportunities emerging in agriculture globally. The Regional Planners Forum has been an integral part of the regional agriculture planning and development since its inception.  The main objective of the Planner’s Forum is to provide a neutral platform for stakeholders to advance discussion and build cooperation on matters of importance to regional agriculture enhancement.  Therefore, providing an opportunity to agree on directions and contribute to the development of policies and programs that capitalized on opportunities while addressing existing, imminent and emerging challenges.

This year forum offers an opportunity for Member States (MS) and development partners in the Region, to take stock of their collective efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development and the challenges in meeting these goals over the last decade. This Planners Forum will play a critical role in furthering the Regional dialogue on agriculture.  Moreover, it is the single most important opportunity to convene key agriculture development leaders in the region to explore emerging sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives, that are of critical importance at the national and regional level. The Forum will also provide opportunities to identify approaches to combat climate change, explore climate financing in agriculture, and disaster risk reduction and building sector resilience. The general direction is one that focuses on strengthening climate change adaptation in agriculture, promoting trade through food safety and standards and creating nutritionally relevant food systems in CARICOM. The sub-themes for the Forum are further disaggregated as follows:

  • CARICOM Regional Agricultural Policy in Action
  • Capitalizing on Wealth Creation in Agri-Business
  • Propelling ICT and Innovation in Agriculture
  • Emerging Opportunities in Agribusiness

The week of activities will also see the hosting of the other regional bodies to include the following:

  • The 81st Special Meeting of COTED(Agriculture)
  • CARDI Board of Governors Meeting
  • CARICOM Sugar Stakeholders Ministerial Meeting
  • CAHFSA Board Meeting and
  • CRM Ministerial Meeting

At the core of the forum the intent is to build strong local, regional and hemispheric partnerships, incorporating innovative approaches and fostering inclusive development, to offer enhancement opportunities to the region.

Launching of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition

Launching of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition

On the 29th of July 2019, the Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Godwin Hulse along with sister Ministries (Education and Health), Government Oppositions and Senators joined in the signing and Launching of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.

The Belize Parliamentary against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) was created under existing frameworks, the Meso America Hunger Free Program and the Hunger Free Latin America and the Caribbean initiative, which is a political commitment of the region countries towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition.

The Belize Parliamentary against Hunger and Malnutrition is being funded by the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and executed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Present for the BPHAM’s signing were: Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Laura Tucker-Longsworth, President of the Senate, Hon. Senator Darell Bradley, Vice President of the Senate and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Senator the Hon. Carla Barnett, Leader of Government Business & Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development, Immigration & Nationality, Senator the Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, Opposition Senator Valerie Woods and Senator Osmany Salas, Hon. Abelardo Mai, Area Representative, Orange Walk South and Hon. Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo North East.

Youths Engage in Agriculture Summer Camp 2019

Youths Engage in Agriculture Summer Camp 2019

The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Police Department is once again hosting its two weeks Youths Engage in Agriculture Summer Camp 2019. The event started on July 1st, 2019, with an opening ceremony held at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds, Belmopan.

Guess speakers at the event were the Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Godwin Hulse, Mayor of Belmopan His Worship Khalid Belisle, Chief Agriculture Officer Mr. Andrew Harrison and Mr. Linden Flowers Senior Superintendent of Police.

With an ageing population of farmers, agriculture needs to attract more young people, and through this medium, the summer camp initiated to improve the image of agriculture as cool, profitable and attractive career for youths.

Youths that are participating are from the various town and villages in the Cayo and Belize District. Activities for the two weeks event will cover field visits to Spanish Lookout, Central Farm and Banana Bank, a hands-on practical training for students and conclude with a kid’s rodeo on July the 13th, 2019.

The first annual Youth Engage in Agriculture (YEA) summer camp was held in August 2016 at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds, since then the summer camp has grown to attract as many as 260 students. The objective of the Ministry is to extend the summer camp to the rest of the various districts.

International Day of Cooperatives 2019

International Day of Cooperatives 2019

On the 05th of July 2019, the Cooperative Department under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture celebrated its 97th International Day of Cooperatives under the theme “Coops 4 Decent Work,” at the San Ignacio Welcome Center.

The aim of the celebration was to increase awareness of cooperatives. The day highlighted the complementary goals and objectives of the United Nations (UN) and the international cooperative movement in finding a resolution for the major problems addressed by the UN in strengthening and extending partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other actors.

This year’s theme is a fundamental mechanism for inclusion and social justice. Making decent work a reality for all is embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Considering today’s relatively high unemployment levels, particularly among the youth, increased job insecurity, and widening inequalities, the 2019 Coops Day theme is purposefully linked on “promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

In Belize, there are currently 66 active cooperative enterprises. Fifty-seven (57) of them are registered cooperatives, three are in a status called pre-cooperative, and the remaining six are aspirants in the middle stages of development. By industrial sector, 30 are engaged in agriculture, 17 in transportation, and the remainder spread over fishing, arts & crafts, consumer, and tourism, among others. Total members consist of 2,800, with most of them being male ranking from ages 31 to 40 years.

Cooperatives, as people-centered enterprises and key development actors, have a strong role to play in creating decent jobs and empowering local communities both economically and socially.

SMALL HIVE BEETLE – Advisory #4 Belize

Small Hive Beetle Advisory #4 Belize

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, is a scavenger and parasite of honey bee colonies. The beetle is native to Africa, but was introduced to the US (1996), Canada (2002), Australia (2002), Jamaica (2005), Mexico (2007), Cuba (2012), Salvador (2013), Nicaragua (2014), Costa Rica (2015) and Belize (2016) mainly by commercial movement of bees. It is highly suspected that the incursion of the small hive beetle into northern Belize is due to the illegal trade of Honey Bee products, equipment and materials.

Considered a minor pest in its home range, the small hive beetle has become a major problem in introduced areas. Both adult and larval beetles feed on larvae, pollen, honey and bee brood. The adult female lays her eggs in the hive. The larvae hatch and feed on brood, pollen and honey, then leave the hive to pupate in the soil, where the adults hatch, then fly to look for new hives. Spread can therefore be rapid, as the adults have a range of approximately 13 kilometers. When infestation is heavy, the bees may desert the hive.

A good management by beekeepers is necessary to protect against A. tumida. Maintenance of strong colonies and good husbandry are key elements. Therefore, the most effective control against small hive beetle is maintaining colony strength, coupled with minimizing empty frames of comb, reducing small hive beetle population with the placement of traps containing a broad spectrum insecticide only accessible by the small hive beetle and to discontinue the illegal importation of Honey Bee products, equipment and materials. The diagnosis is made by identifying adult beetles in the hive.

The Ministry of Agriculture in coordination with BAHA and OIRSA will continue providing support to beekeepers in the control of this devastating pest.

Beekeepers are advised to contact Mr. Mario Howe (626-6059) of The Ministry of Agriculture or Dr. Joe Myers (601-6890) of BAHA for any further information.

Closing Ceremony for Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Climate-Smart Agriculture

Closing Ceremony for the Conclusion of the Five Days Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Climate-Smart Agriculture

Belmopan. June 21st, 2019. The Minister of Agriculture Senator Hon. Godwin Hulse and UNDP Country Office Resident Representative a.i. Mr. Aldo Garcia issued Certificate of Completion to forty-four participants who attended a five-day Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Climate-Smart Agriculture. The closing ceremony was held at the Administrative and Technical Conference Room, National Agriculture and Trade Showground Belmopan.

The training which commenced on Monday, June 17, 2019, was through a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP). Facilitators for the training were personnel from Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE).

The training objective was to strengthen the capacity of Extension and Cooperative Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, lead farmers and high school teachers. The sessions consisted of theory and practical, centered on the use and implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture and Farmer Field School methodology approach.

Climate Smart Agriculture is a variation of agricultural best practices that has been transformed and reoriented to support development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. CSA aims to tackle three main objectives: sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes, adapting and building resilience to climate change, and reducing and/or removing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Training of Trainers workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Training of Trainers workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)

The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the Japan Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) is currently hosting a one-week Training of Trainers workshop on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). The 5- day Training session started today 17th of June 2019 and is expected to end on the 21st of June 2019 at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room, National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds Belmopan.

The main objective of the Training is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture Extension and Cooperative Officers, lead farmers and high school teachers for increased resiliency to climate change in the agriculture sector of Belize. The training will consist of theory and practical sessions centered on the use and implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture and Farmer Field School methods using the Climate Smart Agriculture approach.

Climate change and climate variability are impacting agriculture production in Belize; therefore, it is imperative for the government of Belize to implement actions aiming to reduce the vulnerability of the agricultural sector. Institutional strengthening and improved technical capacities in the agriculture sector of Belize can improve the country’s ability to respond to climate risks and take advantage of opportunities that could emerge in the long-run.

Formation of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition

The Formation of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition

On Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 Speaker of the House the Hon. Laura Longsworth hosted a sensitization meeting on the formation of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition. The meeting was held at the National Assembly Building in Belmopan.

The objective of the meeting was to inform members of their roles and responsibilities as Belize joins the region in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Present at the meeting was Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber, Speaker of the House Hon. Laura Longsworth, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Health.

Export of Crude Soybean Oil

Export of Crude Soybean Oil

On the 25th of March 2019, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, the Belize Agriculture Health Authority and the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation facilitated discussions between private sector representatives, from Little Belize, Ship Yard, Blue Creek and Spanish Lookout and the Jamaican distribution and a regional manufacturing company Seprod. The Seprod team consisted of CEO, Richard Pandoaie and three colleagues.

Discussions between the two groups revolved around Seprod’s interests in purchasing more soybean from Belize for soybean oil and soybean meal production to produce a wholly CARICOM product. Discussions also considered the potential of corn. 

On January, 2019, Belize for the first time exported five (5) containers of crude soybean oil to Seprod, Jamaica. Seprod refined the product and in turn exported it to Belize branding it as “Lider” a 100% Soya Bean GMO free product. 

The Ministry of Agriculture is actively supporting the partnership between private sector entities, engaging regional trade and investment.