How to make Bio fertilizer and Bio insecticides Training

June 15, 2022:
Extension officers from the Belize District Agriculture Department were in Lucky Strike showing farmers from that village how to make bio fertilizer and bio insecticides from commonly available material around the household and farm.
Extension officers Abimael Puck, Andy Che, Noel Ramos and Vicente Tuyub (supported by Cooperatives Department and RRB) held a demonstration session, using materials such as black pepper, garlic, soap, ashes, molasses, habanero peppers and various plants to make insecticides and fertilizers.
The session is part of an initiative to show farmers how to lower costs and substitute chemical fertilizers the world of agriculture is used to. Organically grown foods command higher prices and are better for the environment. Minister Jose Abelardo Mai has recently been very vocal in supporting the substitution of fertilizers, which are sky high in price due to the war in Ukraine and global shipping crisis.
The same sessions will be carried out in all districts as part of a campaign by the Ministry to educate farmers about making their own fertilizers and insecticide.
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Completion of a one-week intensive Technical Training of Trainers workshop

A one-week intensive Technical “Training of Trainers” workshop in Coconut and Beekeeping concluded today for Technical Officers and Farmers involved in the production and processing of coconut and honey. The workshops came through collaboration with the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) of Mexico.
The training capacitated forty-five persons and focused on the strengthening of the Coconut Value Chain through the Application of Good Manufacturing Practices in Processing of Products and by-products, whereas the beekeeping training focused on equipping the participants with knowledge to tackle the rising issues of climate change, small hive beetle issues and the production of honey from stingless bees (Meliponiculture).
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise extends its heartfelt thank you to the Government and people of Mexico as well as to the Mexican Technical Facilitators Dr. Jorge Ismael Tucuch Haas, Dr. Ruben Guillermo Medina Hernandez, Mr. Justo Abelardo Tepal Chale and Mr. Octavio Rojas Rodríguez from the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) of Mexico.
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Technical Visit for Schools involve in the AMEXID CARICOM FAO School Feeding project

Technical Visit for Schools involve in the AMEXID/CARICOM/FAO School Feeding project
A technical visit was conducted for three schools in the Northern Districts involved in the AMEXID/CARICOM/FAO School Feeding project. The visit was facilitated by FAO Project Coordinator Mrs. Cathleen Juan. Accompanying her were staff from the Ministries of Agriculture and Education along with Ambassador of Mexico to Belize H.E. Martha Zamarripa.
The sub-project on “Resilient school feeding programs” aims to strengthen the capacities of institutions and stakeholders to implement resilient and sustainable National School Feeding Programs in Belize.
The Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Initiative began its implementation in October 2018 with the objective of increasing the resilience of Caribbean countries to global systemic risks via the updating and / or design of public policy instruments that improve the livelihoods and well-being of families and communities, provide access to healthy food and the management of their natural resources by increasing adaptation and resilience to climate change.

Acting Chief Agriculture Officer attends Ribbon Cutting for St. Matthew’s Anglican School in Pomona

Dr. Victoriano Pascual, Acting Chief Agriculture Officer, was guest speaker at St. Matthew’s Anglican School in Pomona, Stann Creek. The school cut ribbon on their new chicken coop and vegetable garden beds.
The chicken coop and variety of vegetables they have planted, including carrots, cilantro, sweet peppers and lettuce, have been obtained through the help of 22 students from the University of Arkansas.
The students have helped build the coop and covered structure as part of a project the University has engaged in. Principal Anna Mae Ferguson and her staff, the volunteers, Dr. Pascual and the students participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Students will be able to participate in lessons on growing their own produce and maintain their school canteen at the same time.
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Coconut Training

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise through the Bilateral Cooperation Project with the Mexican Secretariat for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Mexican International Agency for Cooperation and Development and the National Research Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock of Mexico is hosting a five-day training session from the 6th to the 10th of June 2022, for Coconut Farmers. The training is being held at the Agro-processing Unit in Central Farm.
The objective of the training is to strengthen the coconut value chain through the application of good manufacturing practices in processing products and by-products, as well as to consolidate the coconut production chain by pluralizing the areas of opportunity in the markets.
Currently, coconut trees grow in 93 countries, due to its resistance and its ability to move long distances floating in the sea. All parts of the plant have the potential to be harnessed providing sustenance, food, shelter and home to its producers. The vast majority of producers are of meager resources and live in rural areas with very little extension of land for their cultivation.
The training is facilitated by Mexican Facilitators M.C. Justo Abelardo Tepal Chale and M.C. Octavio Rojas Rodríguez.

Registration Ceremonies for Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative Society Limited and Northern Sustainable Agro-producers Co-operative Society Limited

Registration Ceremonies for Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative Society Limited and Northern Sustainable Agro-producers Co-operative Society Limited
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise announced that the Department of Co-operatives, responsible for the registration and regulation of co-operatives, held registration ceremonies on June 3rd 2022, in Concepcion Village, Corozal for Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative Society Limited and Northern Sustainable Agro-producers Co-operative Society Limited.
These new co-operatives have transitioned to formal and legally recognized enterprises under the oversight of the department. This gives them access to auditing, conflict resolution services, and entrepreneurial development programs, among others.
Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative Society Limited is engaged in the production and marketing of fruits and vegetables and will operate from Concepcion Village, Corozal. It has twenty-two (22) members, twenty-one (21) men and one (1) woman, who come from Concepcion Village. Northern Sustainable Agro-producers Co-operative Society Limited is also engaged in the production and marketing of vegetables and will operate from Xaibe Village, Corozal. It has eighteen (18) members, eleven (11) men and seven (7) women, who come from the villages of Xaibe, Patchakan, and Cristo Rey in the Corozal District.
During the ceremony, remarks were made by Mr. Orlando Ek, Chair of the Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative, Mrs. Maria Yam, Chair of the Northern Sustainable Agro-producers Co-operative, and Mr. Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Co-operatives. Mr. Servulo Baeza, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise was the keynote speaker. Present were farmers of the co-operative, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, and representatives of the Resilient Rural Belize Program,

Technical Visit to El Salvador

Technical Visit to El Salvador
Coordinator of the National Food and Nutrition Security Commission, Mr. Emilio Montero, was on a technical visit to El Salvador from June 1st to June 3rd, 2022.
The purpose of the visit was to have a first hand experience of the results beneficiaries in Salvador had in the project Sembrando Vida. The three day visit will include tours of plots, nurseries and bio-factories in San Salvador and San Miguel.
The visit was facilitated by AMEXCID through its General Directorate for the Execution of Special International Cooperation Projects. Sembrando Vida is a program of the Government of Mexico that seeks to contribute to the social welfare of seeders and planters through the promotion of food self-sufficiency, with actions that favor the reconstruction of the social fabric and the recovery of the environment, through the implementation of plots with agroforestry production systems.
The program seeks to address two problems: rural poverty and environmental degradation. In this way, its objectives are to rescue the countryside, reactivate the local economy and the regeneration of the social fabric in the communities.
Sembrando Vida is a comprehensive program that seeks to achieve sustainable communities that starts from Social, Economic and Environmental Components. With this Integral Vision, it energizes the socio-environmental and cultural diversity of the communities, contributes to the generation of jobs, the care of the environment and favors greater social cohesion.
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Minister Mai Meets with CEO of Makalde Group

Minister Mai Meets with CEO of Makalde Group
Minister Jose Abelardo Mai met with Mr. Maher Makalde CEO of Makalde Group and Legal Representative Sara Acevedo to discuss investment opportunities in the agriculture sector. The group was led by Mr. David Martinez from the Secretariat in the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of El Salvador.
During their visit the delegation toured the vegetable markets in Belmopan and visited the Valley of Peace Lagoon Co-operative to get a firsthand experience of the farming methods used in Belize.
The Makalde Brothers Ltd was founded in 1997. The Company’s line of business includes the wholesale distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment.
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A Successful Agriculture & Trade Show

The National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS), under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, was held on May 27, 28, and 29, 2022, under the theme “Innovations in technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector”.

This year’s show welcomed over 29,137 visitors, regional delegates and guests. Despite the inclement weather in the last hours of the show on Sunday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise considers the event a huge success.

There were no major incidents reported in connection with the event. The bull’s escape from the rodeo arena on Sunday was regrettable. The ministry is grateful that no one was seriously injured; the animal was quickly captured by the rodeo team and returned to its pen with no further issues.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise thanks all those who attended the show including the committee members who gave their time and energy to help plan and coordinate the event. The ministry also extends a special thanks to the sponsors and collaborating agencies such as the Belize Police Department, Belmopan City Council, Total Business Solutions Ltd, Beltraide, Development Finance Corporation, vendors, exhibitors, and service providers. Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, acknowledges the efforts of the staff of the ministry in contributing to this successful event.

The proposed dates for the National Agriculture and Trade Show 2023 are April 28, 29, and 30, 2023.

 

Advisory Notice

The remnants of Hurricane Agatha present threats to the Agriculture Sector, particularly to the Northern, Central and Southern regions of Belize. To mitigate the potential effects, the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise hereby advises all farmers who are in low lying and flood prone areas to safeguard their families and livelihoods.
All farmers are advised to pay attention to the weather situation which is likely to get worse over the next couple of days.
Following Measures to be observe:
Crop Producers are advised to
– harvest available and mature crops
– make a note of all crops planted and production amount
– store harvested crops in cool, dry areas to avoid spoilage or losses
Producers with Tropical Green Houses or Covered Structures are asked to
– remove covering materials (UV Plastic and Anti-Viral netting)
– safely store equipment and supplies
– make a note of all crops planted and production amount, including taking pictures of the structure (s)
Livestock Producers are advised to
– temporarily relocate animals to safer areas
– ensure availability of animal feed and water
– make a count of all animals
Farm Inputs
– secure all farm machinery and farm inputs
– relocate all pesticides and pesticide containers to avoid spillage and contamination, especially in flood prone areas