Agriculture Census Update

Census 2018 Update 

The Ministry of Agriculture would like to remind the general public that the National Agriculture Census 2018-19 is still ongoing. Farmers who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so at the nearest agriculture office. To date a total of 6,468 farmers and 7,525 farms have been registered through the National Agriculture Census. A Farmer is defined as a person who produces half an acre or more and/or generates 30% or more of their household income from the agriculture activity.

The 2018 Census results data will be used to accurately project production and link the production to markets using the virtual market platform. In addition, analysis of the geo-referenced data will enable the Ministry to do remote sensing for the evaluation, monitoring and management of crop resources, increase the implementation of pest and disease surveillance systems, design appropriate drainage and irrigation infrastructure and improve climate risk management. The data gathered is stored in the Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS) a government owned web-based application.

The Census data collection is being conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Officers along with hired enumerators and is expected to end in June 2019.

The Ministry of Agriculture thanks all farmers for participating in the National Agriculture Census 2018 and encourages the registration of all farmers who have not participated in the Census to register.

For More Information you can follow us on our Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/maf.gov.bz/

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize Country Profile

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize World Bank Document

ABSTRACT

Agriculture in Belize is susceptible to weather variability and vulnerable to climate hazards, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is agriculture that has been transformed and reoriented to support development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. CSA practices have potential to deliver triple wins in contributing to Belize’s agricultural development goals by sustainably increasing productivity, enhancing resilience, and reducing or removing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Many farmers in Belize are already using CSA measures to some degree. However, more widespread adoption of many CSA technologies has been hindered by a lack of information and technical knowledge, as well as the scarcity of resources to pay for initial investment costs. This country profile provides a snapshot of a set of promising CSA practices, assesses their climate smartness taking into account a range of potential hazards, identifies organizations currently working to promote CSA in Belize and policies under implementation, and discusses possible sources of financing needed to implement CSA at scale.

For more information kindly open link below:

http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/301461541662271068/Climate-Smart-Agriculture-in-Belize

131878-REVISED-PUBLIC-Belize-CSA-Country-Profile-FINAL

Ministerial Meeting for the Central American Agricultural Council of SICA

Ministerial Meeting for the Central American Agricultural Council of SICA

Belmopan. December 7, 2018. The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a Ministerial Meeting of the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC) in furtherance of Belize’s Presidency of the SICA. Hon. Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture, in his capacity as President Pro Tempore of the Council presided over the meeting.

During Belize’s presidency, one of the major focuses was the implementation of a roadmap for the formulation and presentation of a Regional Agricultural Policy 2018-2030. The initiative, which was led by the Regional Technical Committee, has had the input of the Technical Working Groups, international organizations and representatives of the private sector.

During the Ministerial meeting several updates on regional project initiatives were presented, including the proposal for establishment of a Regional Agricultural Innovation Centre, Implementation of a Cooperation Agreement with the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Central American Bank on Economic Integration (BCIE) – CAC on Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change; and the institutionalization of the Regional Markets Network.

Other related meetings were held during this encounter. These included the 20th Regular Meeting of the Superior Council of CATIE; the LXV Extraordinary Meeting of the Regional Agricultural Health International Committee (CIRSA) the governing body of OIRSA currently chaired by Honduras and the Council of Ministers of The Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (OSPESCA) currently chaired by Guatemala.

This is the final meeting under Belize’s Presidency. At the end of its term, Belize will transfer the rotating Presidency to Guatemala.

 

Ministry of Agriculture Holds over the Central American Agricultural Council Pro Tempore Presidency

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently holding over the Central American Agricultural Council Pro Tempore Presidency from July to December 2018. The Ministry of agriculture is a member of the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC in Spanish) as one of the sub-organs of the Regional system for Economic Integration.

Through this framework, the Central American Agricultural Council entered a new phase of institutional development from April 2017 under the SE-CAC (Executive Secretariat-CAC). The commitment of the Ministers of Agriculture was manifested in decisions that sought to increase the ownership of the countries by the regional forum, increase the effectiveness of the Council and provide the necessary financial, technical and political instruments to achieve its purposes.

In the political sphere, the commitment of the Ministers is acknowledged, expressed through active participation in meetings and actions, and efforts to provide the necessary contributions to guarantee the financial health of the Council. In the technical field, the definition of an annual work plan, the continuity that each Pro Tempore Presidency (PPT) has given to priority issues and the strengthening of regional technical bodies have allowed generating better proposals and consolidating products that add value to national actions.

The Central American Integration System (SICA) is the institutional framework for the regional integration of Central America and has the objective of constituting it as a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development.

In the institutional framework, important steps have been taken to guarantee the independence of the Council, in accordance with the mandates of the Heads of State and Government and in full compliance with the legal norms of the Central American Integration System.

Ministry of Agriculture Concluded its Regional Summer Camp for Youths Engaged in Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture Concludes its Regional Summer Camp for Youths Engaged in Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Belmopan Police Department concluded their two weeks regional summer camp for Youths Engaged in Agriculture.

The camp which lasted for two weeks had participants from the Cayo and Belize Districts. The Summer camp which started from July 23rd concluded on the 4th of August 2018 with a “kid rodeo”, which was held at the National Agriculture and Trade Showground’s in Belmopan.

The objective of the summer camp was to make agriculture more appealing to the youths, recognizing it as a vital career, especially with an ageing population of farmers. The camp also served as a means of keeping youths engaged in positive activities, reducing incidences of crime committed by youths.

The two-week summer camp included a hands-on lessons in agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, agro-processing, and livestock, as well visits to companies such as Quality Poultry, Western Dairies, and Bel Car in Spanish Lookout. A total of two hundred young people participated in the summer camp.

BELIZE AGRICULTURE CENSUS 2018

BELIZE AGRICULTURE CENSUS 2018

BACKGROUND
The agriculture and food sector is one of the main pillars of the Belizean economy, contributing approximately $590 million annually to economic output, representing 80% of domestic exports, and directly employs 17.9% of the Belizean population. Moreover, it is a major foreign exchange earner, maintains a vibrant rural population and ensures food and nutrition security for the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing major initiatives to reform the enabling environment for agriculture and food production including the regulatory framework, market reform, and adoption of advanced technologies to counter the significant challenges posed by climate change. For these initiatives to be properly implemented, accurate data at all levels is required. The Belize Agriculture Management Information System (BAIMS) is now being populated via the Agriculture Census 2018. This information is critical for evidence based decision making by the Ministry.

The BAIMS evolved from an in-depth Country Assessment on Agriculture Statistics, and a Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Statistics (SPARS) following the standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture. The BAIMS is a web-based application that serves as a central repository for data collection and dissemination and was developed by a local company, KYN Consulting of Corozal Town.

The Census will populate the Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS) with key information on the farmer, geo-referenced coordinates of farms and details on the farming activities. The 2018 Census results data will be used to accurately project production, and link the production to markets using the virtual market platform. In addition, analysis of the geo-referenced data will enable the Ministry to do remote sensing for the evaluation, monitoring and management of crop resources, increase the implementation of pest and disease surveillance systems, design appropriate drainage and irrigation infrastructure and improve climate risk management.

What is the Agriculture Census?
The Agriculture Census is a count of all the farmers and farm activities in Belize. It will present a true picture of the state of agriculture in the country on who, what, and how much is being produced. The Census can be considered a first count, the Ministry will continuously collect data to keep the BAIMS updated.

Expected Outputs of the Belize Agriculture Census 2018
The following is expected as a result of the Census:
1. A National Farmer and geo-referenced Farm Registry.
2. Production data on priority commodities for the period of the Census
3. A populated BAIMS
4. Agriculture Census Report 2018

Importance of the Census Data
The importance of the Census cannot be understated. Farmers, buyers, agro-stakeholders & government require information for decision-making. Quality (accurate, timely & reliable) data allows for objective analysis of the agriculture sector’s contribution to the socio-economic development of Belize. Some key uses of the data however will support users in the following:
• To create better opportunities for linking their products to local, regional or international markets.
• To advocate for the development of better financial policies for greater and more affordable agriculture credit
• To assist with the surveillance and management of pest & diseases
• To assess damages and recovery needs in times of natural disaster
• To better allocate resources and focus programs, grants and projects to address the needs of the farming communities
• To support farmers in disaster risk management
• To monitor and respond in cases of flood & drought
• To provide support and technical advice in water management:
– climate change resilience
– to monitor and measure land use changes

How will the Belize Agriculture Census 2018 Be Conducted?
The interview will be conducted by Ministry personnel and twenty (20) authorized enumerators, bearing a ministry identification card and Agriculture Census 2018 T-shirt.
Before Census personnel begin the Census in a village, sensitization and awareness will take place at the village level through the local radio stations, the Leaders, Chairman or Charlady, Church Pastors and schools.
Upon reaching the farmer, personnel will introduce themselves, explain the purpose of their visit and the confidentiality of the data being collected. Census personnel will also request to take a picture for the Farmer Identification card, a copy of the farmers identification card and a visit to the farm to obtain the geo-reference location.
While Ministry personnel will be conducting interviews village by village, Farmers are encouraged to visit an Agriculture Office and be counted. Farmer and Farm Registration is open year-round.

Where and When will the Census Start?
The Census will be conducted in all major productive villages throughout Belize. The villages of Valley of Peace and Spanish Lookout are the first two villages that will be visited in June 2018. Thereafter, data will be collected for a month and a half in each district.
The time frame for the completion of the Census is nine (9) months, commencing in the month of June 2018 and ending in the month of February 2019.

Why is the Census Important?
It will:
• develop a farmer and farm registry which will provide tools for the better delivery of services and targeting of resources to farmers
• collect production data and provide a true picture of the contribution of agriculture and food production to the socio-economic development of Belize
• production data will be collected and will be a recurring feature of our data management system that will form the basis for a virtual marketing platform linking farmers directly to markets

Why should you participate?
• You will be provided with an official Farmer Identification Card recognizing you as a farmer.
• With accurate production data, we can better link your produce to available markets.
• By knowing where you are and what you produce, we can better respond to your needs in times of disaster recovery, pest and disease outbreak, or any other assistance required.

What will be done with your information?
• All individual data collected will remain secure and strictly confidential.
• Only aggregated data will be provided in official publication.
• Assist in identifying targeted areas where support can be provided.
• The results will support government in measuring the impact of support to Agriculture.
• The contribution of the Agriculture sector and its industries will be accurately measured and reported.

After the Census, what will be Done with the Census Data?
• The Registry of the Census, will guide the Ministry in conducting continuous Agriculture Production Surveys for priority commodities to advise farmers and decision markers on the projections of production.
• A virtual marketing platform, accessible through a mobile application, will be developed where farmers, if they chose to can publish their contact and production information so that buyers can view and make contact.

Census flyer can be download here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9gKQXNrTL6w6t6msbj4A_p_B1VfU5ci/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iDDEa_-2TsE8uGFR6qKW3qZlsNydzW6g/view?usp=sharing

 

Packaging Materials Act No. 34 of 2017

Packaging Materials Act No. 34 of 2017 – Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Act2c 2017

54TH Annual Meeting Caribbean Food Crops Society

The Caribbean Food Crops Society 54th Annual Meeting

The Caribbean Food Crops Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture will be hosting there 54th Annual Meeting which will be held at the Ramada Hotel, Belize City, on July 8-13, 2018. This year theme is: Multi-functionality of Agriculture in the Caribbean Basin in Countries with Predominant Tourist Industries.

The one-week long annual meeting will consist of keynote speakers from various international and regional organization, a technical session, a farmer’s forum, posters presentation, field trips and social and cultural activities.

Since its first meeting in 1964, the Society has convened annual meetings in 15 nations of the Caribbean with Belize now hosting the 54th annual meeting. Each year the society convenes an annual meeting in various countries and territories throughout the Caribbean region highlighting the area’s most relevant to that country or territory. The meeting provides an opportunity for science researchers, farmers, etc., to exchange information on research and technology.

The objectives of the Society are to advance and foster Caribbean food production, processing and distribution in all aspects, to help improve the quality of life for the people of the Caribbean. It brings together scholars, researchers, extensionists, growers, and other professionals associated with food production, distribution, and policy. It seeks to involve members from all four main language groups of the region (English, Spanish, French, and Dutch).

The Caribbean Food Crops Society is an independent professional organization with interdisciplinary orientation and membership. It was constituted in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 3rd, 1963. It is not affiliated with any public or private institution. It is a non-profit organization, which fosters communication between persons capable of contributing to the development of science, technology, and production of food crops and animals in the countries of the Caribbean Basin.

Instructions for registration:
Please fill out the registration form with the required information and submit to: Dr. Alberto Beale, Treasurer alberto.beale@upr.edu; (787) 602-8709.

Instructions for hotel reservation:
Contact: Ms. Edilma Perez, Sales Manager, salesmgr@ramadabelizecity.com, or Ms. Matilda Galindo, salesexec@ramadabelizecity.com
Ramada Belize City Gray Enterprises LTD, Newtown Barracks, PO Box 1758, Belize City, Belize (501) 610-1559. Rate is US$85.00 + 9% tax single occupancy and US$98.00 + 9% tax double occupancy (two persons). Includes breakfast buffet.

Call for Abstracts and Registration Forms

Call for Abstracts. Our 54th Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society will be held in Ramada Hotel, Belize City, July 8-13, 2018. Theme: Multi-functionality of Agriculture in the Caribbean Basin in Countries with Predominant Tourist Industries. Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration. Please fill out the submission form available on this website and submit by May 11, 2018 to:

Ina I. Sanchez, MSc
Coordinator – Research & Innovation
Phone: (501) 623-0771
Email: ina.sanchez@agriculture.gov.bz.
Research, Development and Innovation Center
Ministry of Agriculture, FFESD&I
Central Farm
Cayo, BELIZE

Please fill out the registration form with the required information and submit to: Dr. Alberto Beale, Treasurer alberto.beale@upr.edu; 787-602-8709

For More information visit us on: http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/content/call-abstracts-and-registration-forms

forms are also available for download below:

CFCS Gallery