The seminar will look at topics such as agronomic management from planting to harvesting, use of technology and innovation in soybean production over the course of 3 days. On day four they will participate in a National Soybean Forum, where a field day showcasing the different soybean varieties produced in Mexico will be held, technical experts from all over Mexico will share their experiences in the soybean industry, as well as businesses will exhibit machinery and value-added products.

Participants include Mennonite representation from Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek, CARDI, MAFSE Extension Department, farmers and members from the private sector. The soybean training sessions are part of the bilateral agreement for cooperation in agriculture signed between Belize and Mexico in August 2021. Since that signing Mexican experts have visited Belize several times to observe trials and share information on varieties, cultivation and best practices, while now Belizean farmers and extension officers are visiting Mexico as part of the program.

The training sessions are being organized by INIFAP, the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (National Institute of Forestry, Crop and Livestock Research) .

Representatives from Reimers Feed Mill met this evening with Minister Jose Abelardo Mai to discuss collaboration, challenges, export opportunities and it’s 2023 work plan.

The mill is currently one of the leading suppliers of animal feed. The company has expanded in different parts of the country to promote its business to small-scale backyard farmers. Recently the company has been contemplating in exporting their feed to Guatemala.

The Toledo Agriculture Department in collaboration with the IDB and Economic Development Project conducted a presentation on the “Agrarian Diagnostic in Southern Belize”.

The agrarian system is a concept to understand the agriculture and agro- economy in one delimited area. The presentation, which was facilitated by Consultant Ms. Charlotte Boston, was attended by 49 persons who all participated in the presentation. The event was held yesterday at the TCGA processing facility, Toledo District.

In commemoration and celebration of this year’s International Day of the Forest, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai along with the Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, planted timber and fruit trees at three different high schools in Belmopan.

A total of 40 Fruit trees were donated to the Ministry of Sustainable Development by the Ministry of Agriculture to commemorate this event.

In 2012, the United Nations Assembly declared March 21st as the International Day of Forests with the objective to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Forests for Healthy People,” brings awareness to forests and how much our forests contribute to our health. Forests also provide countless important health benefits, such as fresh air, clean water and aesthetically pleasing sceneries and landscapes. Healthy forests and a healthy environment are directly linked to healthier lives. Over the past 100 years, Belize has invested significantly in protecting and managing its natural capital for the benefit of Belizeans. It boasts 60.9% of forest cover with a 0.75% deforestation rate, which include protected natural areas, wetlands and mangroves, contributing over 20% to Belize’s GDP.

The Cayo District Agriculture Department in collaboration with the Cooperative Department assisted the Bullet Tree Seventh Day Adventist School and the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic School in Bullet Tree Falls Village with their school garden.

Both schools received seeds and seedlings that included: cucumber, coriander, radish, habanero pepper, jalapeño, cabbages and tomatoes.

The cultivated crops will be used in the school feeding program and will focus on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for the children by giving them a better idea of the concept ‘From farm to table.

Special thanks go out to the Santa Familia Grains, Vegetables and Legumes Co-operative for lending their rototiller to do the land preparation for the school, as well as Extension Officer Mr. Franklin Padron for assisting in the land preparation.

Representatives from the poultry importing companies in Jamaica met with Government Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Foreign Trade and the Belize Agriculture Health Authority to discuss Jamaica’s interest in buying poultry products from Belize.

Jamaica’s interest stems due to the rising prices of poultry across the globe forcing importing countries to source from other markets.

The project which is being executed by the Ministry of Agriculture is supported by the ROC Taiwan Technical Mission through its ICDF program. The project will primarily focus on certification of various active processors who dedicate a large portion of resources into value added products.

Through this project 30 participants will be attending a 2-week training session. The training session will focus on certifying and equipping participants with the necessary knowledge to transport their existing product to the next level.

Attending the event was Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, H.E. Lily Li-Wen Hsu Ambassador of Taiwan in Belize, H.E. Amalia Mai C.E.O. of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, Dr. Victoriano Pascual Chief Agriculture Officer and other Invited Guests.

The Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) officially launched its new rice brand, Big Falls Rice and Big Falls Milpa Rice.

The official launching ceremony was held on March 17, 2023, in a ceremony where Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise, Hon. Oscar Requeña, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour, and Hon. Michael Espat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, gave remarks and spoke about the importance of the rice mill for the local farmers, the benefits for the Belizean people of having the mill under operation and how important preserving the milpa tradition of harvesting rice is for the people of the Toledo District. After the ceremony there was a sampling of the new brand to highlight the quality of the rice.

Also present for the ceremony were CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Servulo Baeza, personnel from BMDC and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise as well as representatives from other ministries and other invited guests.

The new rice brand offers Belizeans quality premium rice at a low cost, while its production ensures a secure livelihood for the rice farmers of Toledo as well as the preservation of the cultural traditions in Toledo of harvesting milpa rice.

BMDC is a statutory body falling under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, and serves primarily as the Ministry’s marketing arm for Belizean products.