CARICOM Agri Food Investment Forum and Expo

Belize was represented at the CARICOM Agri-Food Investment Forum and Expo held on May 19 – 21, 2022 in Georgetown, Guyana, under the theme: “Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”. The overall goal of this important event was to achieve the 25% by 2025 vision of reducing regional food imports by fostering accelerated and targeted investment in agriculture and food production and its business ecosystem within CARICOM member states.
Increased investment in agriculture and food production is critical for unlocking potentials for significantly reducing the almost US$6 Billion in food imports and therefore achieving the 25% x 2025 food import reduction target. The event forum is geared towards the promotion, engagement, and informed dialogue among key
stakeholders along the agri-food value chain —policymakers, development partners, foreign and local private investors, farmers, distributers—on how investment could be encouraged. Stakeholders within the industry will be able to exhibit their products and services, network with others both directly and indirectly affected by the industry and acquire high-level investment and marketing exposure.
Among those representing Belize was PM John Briceño, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, Minister Jose Mai, BMDC Managing Director Valentin Carrillo, BMDC Marketing Officer Chad Bowman and Policy Analyst Milagro Matus.

Regional Strategy Workshop for Rural Youth

On May 19th 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council (SECAC)and PROCASUR Corporation hosted a half day workshop on the Regional Strategy for Rural Youth for SICA countries at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds Conference Room.
The objective of the workshop was to promote dialogue between national actors linked to the rural youth sector, to frame the Regional Strategy in the current national regulatory and programmatic framework, as well as to define lines of work derived from this regional instrument, to strengthen the role of rural youth in the development of their territories.
Since the adoption of the Regional Action Plan for Rural Youth in the SICA countries (2017-2021), approved on February 17, 2017 by the Central American Agricultural Council (CAC), important changes were registered in the context of adaptation of regulations, creation of organizational structures for rural youth and the availability of spaces for advocacy and participation, despite the great challenges that continue to haunt rural areas, especially in the face of crises such as the one caused by COVID-19 and climate change.
The National Rural Youth Plan of Belize was based on the guidelines and priority actions defined by the Government of Belize for the implementation of the Regional Action Plan within the scope of ECADERT. The National Rural Youth Plan seeks to promote equality
and access to resources, assets and opportunities that facilitate greater capacity building of young individuals and expanding their participation in decision-making and social spaces in the full exercise of their rights.
The strategic axis and activities included in the National Plan are characterized by proposing key focus points and solutions regarding the implementation of policies in favor of the country’s rural youth by approaching several challenges regarding the focus
of public investment and institutional articulation. These are based on the goals prioritized by the country regarding alleviation of poverty, promotion of employment and social equality. The Plan was created within the framework of the project “Youth Leaders for the Rural Territorial Development in the Central American Integration System (SICA) Region” and implemented by the PROCASUR Corporation and the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council (SECAC), with financial support by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

 

 

 

 

 

The Launched of the Nago Bank Road Enhancement Project

On May 19th 2022, the Government of Belize launched the . The launch follows the signing of a BZ$1,734,102.34 contract on May 9, 2022, between the Government of Belize and Teichroeb & Sons Limited for the upgrading of three miles of the Nago Bank Road.
Along with Maskall and Bomba, the Nago Bank area serves as the “vegetable basket” for the Belize District and elsewhere; therefore, having proper road access is crucial to food security as it ensures that farmers can bring their products to the market year-round.
The Nago Bank Road Enhancement Project is an initiative of the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) Programme, a six-year programme that aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on agricultural micro, small and medium farms and households. Its development objective is to build overall resilience to climate change for MSMEs by adopting new or improved climate-resilient practices, increasing and diversifying agricultural production, and facilitating small farmers’ access, including improved road access to commercial market chains for the off-take of their surplus production.
The RRB Programme is being implemented by the Government of Belize, with BZ$40 million in financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and participating beneficiaries. Through a Matching Grant Fund, the RRB Programme provides technical and financial assistance to agriculture cooperatives like Los Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos de Nago Bank Co-operative Society Limited. The fund is supporting the fulfilment of the progamme objectives by co-financing investments that would improve, in volume and quality, small farmer agricultural production and safeguard food security in the context of existing and projected climate change effects.
By working with producer organizations, the RRB is providing support for the development of business plans, which identify proposed investments, including technical assistance and capacity building, aimed at achieving these objectives, and which shall be used as the basis for accessing support from the Matching Grant Fund. Additionally, the programme provides funding to producer organization communities in areas such as the enhancement of agricultural feeder roads so that farmers can get their goods to markets more efficiently and effectively.
The RRB Programme has also signed a matching grant agreement with the Los Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos de Nago Bank Co-operative Society Limited to assist with the construction of a water facility, a storage/packing shed, and climate-friendly irrigation implements as well as capacity-building efforts for the cooperative so that they can achieve organizational and financial sustainability. These efforts are expected to be duplicated among 30 farming communities across Belize.
Present at the ceremony were Hon. Marconi Leal, Area Representative for Belize Rural North; Dr. Osmond Martinez, CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development; Victor Espat, CEO in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing; Servulo Baeza, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise; Dr. Geraldo Flowers, Programme Manager, Resilient Rural Belize; Ruben Pineda, Chairman for Los Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos de Nago Bank Co-operative Society Limited; representatives of the respective ministries, RRB and members of the cooperative.

Crop Nutrition and Fertigation Training Session

On May 18th 2022, the Cayo District Agriculture Department hosted a Crop Nutrition and Fertigation training session for farmers of Agua Viva.
The training was facilitated by Extension Officer Mr. Amir Pulido along with Mr. Harold Westby and Mr. Alberto Gutierrez from the Irrigation Unit. The purpose of the training was to teach farmers the advantage of using fertigation.
Fertigation is a technique used to supply dissolved fertilizer to crops through an irrigation system. It is used for 1. Higher yields and better quality crops: The supply of nutrients to the crops according to the physiological stage, considering the climate and soil characteristics, resulting in high yields and high quality crops. 2. Increased efficiency of nutrients: Nutrients are applied to the root zone and uniformly, where the active roots are concentrated. Less fertilizer applied resulting on decrease of production costs. 3. Reduction of groundwater pollution: The exact dosage optimizes fertilization, reducing the potential for groundwater contamination caused by the leaching of fertilizers. 4. Greater convenience and economy: Allows use of fertilizer solutions, which is more practical than the solid or granular type fertilizers. 5. Efficient application of microelements: which are expensive and are required in small quantities. With the high cost of agro-inputs the use of this technique not only helps to increase productivity but also to reduce costs.

Training Schedule for Coconut Farmers of Stann Creek

On May 17th 2022, the National Stakeholders Platform Technical Committee met to plan training for coconut farmers. The First training is scheduled for June 3rd, 2022 starting at 9:00 am in Red Bank village, Stann Creek district. Topic to be discussed is “Control of Coconut Beetle using Integrated Pest Control Methodology “.
Adult beetles cause damage to palms by boring holes into the central growing point of the crown to feed on the young host tissue sap (juice).
They start by tearing or drilling their way through softer young unopened fronds into the center of the growing spike where they feed on the sap. They may come out through the base of the frond midrib (10-50 cm from the base). When the damaged young frond opens, and V or wedge shaped sections of the leaf are missing.
Some signs of the presence of the beetle also include excreted plant tissue and insect droppings (frass) emerging from the entrance holes. Holes in the base of frond stems are also commonly seen. But the holes themselves can also be obscured by the base of the fronds.

BMDC Rice Mill in PG is now Operational

The Belize Marketing and Development Corporation’s (BMDC) rice mill in PG, is now operational, and serving the rice farmers of the Toledo district. At one time there seemed to have been plans to shelve this multi-million dollar investment, break it to pieces and sell the parts. With a change of government and administration came a change of attitude. Today the rice mill is churning out high quality Belizean rice, and the small farmers of the area have crops they can sell. Incomes are being generated and life is better for those Toledo farmers.
Rice Production in the Toledo and Stann Creek area has benefited from direct assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture which offers high level technical support throughout the production process. With the guidance of the Ministry and its multiple partners rice production in the south is experiencing a highly awaited improvement in the quality of paddy being produced.
Initially only Milpa farmers were present in the south and would make use of the mill; today both Milpa and Mechanized farmers have been delivering paddy to the BMDC mill.

Orange Walk Beekeepers Officially Registered

On May 13th 2022, the Orange Walk Beekeepers Co-operative Society Limited, were today officially registered in a ceremony at Central Park in Orange Walk Town.
The group has been a pre-co-op for a while and saw their dream of being an official co-operative and being able to benefit from all the advantages of working together come true this morning.
On hand to witness were the Registrar of Cooperatives Gareth Murillo, Mayor of Orange Walk Ladrick Sheppard and CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security & Enterprise Servulo Baeza, as well as many other supporters.
Accepting the new co-op’s registration certificate was Ms. Ileana Ayuso on behalf of the other members.
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Guatemalan Delegation on a Technical visit to Belize

On May 12th 2022, the Guatemalan Vice Minister of Agriculture for the Peten Department Ingeniero Elmer Oliva Pacheco were on a 2 day technical visit to Belize upon an invitation from the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai.
The Vice Minister was accompanied by Ing. Juan Carlos Barquin, Chief Agriculture Officer for Peten, and Ing. Maynor Arevalo Dubon, Director for Agricultural Development for Peten.
The purpose of the visit was for the delegation to establish linkages between both Ministries for future cooperation since Belize and Peten share similar geographic conditions, similar crops and population profiles.
During there visit the Ministry of Agriculture had the opportunity to present on the programs and projects the Ministry has been working on, as well discuss cooperation between both Agriculture Ministries. On the second day the delegation toured the Central Farm Agriculture Station.

Mexican President Announces zero tariffs for Belize Agriculture Products

On the 7th of May 2022, the Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador visited Belize and announced to the nation that all Belizean Agriculture products, including cattle will be allowed to enter Mexico free of tariffs.

This has been one of the greatest moments in the history for both nations which the government of Belize had been seeking, especially for the reduction of tariffs for cattle. A heartfelt thankyou goes out to Minister Courtenay and his team for achieving an acceptable Trade Agreement that would benefit our producers. This announcement on the zero tariffs on agriculture products will radically change the future of agriculture in our nation.

On behalf of the farmers and people of Belize, the Minister of Agriculture thanks President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and the government of Mexico for granting such opportunity.

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Departments of Agriculture

District Offices

In order to facilitate and provide better assistance to farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise has a department of agriculture situated in each district. These departments are being headed by the Chief Agricultural Officer. In each department, there are five programs lead by a coordinator at the national level. The coordinator’s duties are to manage and ensure all activities are being implemented through its field officers.

Goal

To continue to provide relevant technical assistance to farmers in the Districts.

Mission

The mission is to facilitate the development of knowledge and understanding generated not only through traditional research, but also knowledge and technical know-how developed through experiences that will enhance agriculture and the quality of life of rural communities

Background

The Agricultural Department is considered the primary provider of the extension agricultural extension service which was introduced in Belize in the 1920s. The main goal of the department is to train and build capacity among agricultural producers, women, and youth of the rural areas of Belize. The focus is to enable producers to organize themselves, form exchange groups, consolidate agro-commercial businesses, and develop strategic alliances with other social groups to meet the challenges of market competition and scarce natural resources.

Objectives are:

  • Strengthening the agricultural initiatives through community organization and increase the efficiency of agriculture production so that the farmers can have better returns.
  • Facilitate the development of proposals, strategic alliances, and new organizations. At the same time, facilitate the interchange of experiences, knowledge, and information that will strengthen the capacity of rural stakeholders to develop new proposals and organization.
  • Increase the efficiency of agricultural production so that the farmers can reap the highest returns from efforts.
  • Promote individual and group skills to decide over non-renewable resource issues.
  • Implement programs that improve the efficiency of marketing and the use of farm produce.
  • Promote the best use and conservation of natural, human, social, and economic resources of Belize.
  • Train and build capacity among rural families to effect adequate adjustments to address the needs of their socio-economic conditions.
  • Facilitate the development of information systems and capacity building that will enable producers to stay informed with technical information about markets and agricultural policies that can affect them.
  • Establish a long-term educational process in consultation with community leaders and stakeholders to address problems, needs and seek solutions through activities that promote the best use and conservation of natural, human, social, and economic resources that will lead to a better quality of life.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Advise farmers on the techniques and technology used in agricultural production. This includes inter alia; introducing new varieties of crops and efficient crop husbandry, proper use of fertilizers and other agrochemicals, post-harvest/handling of crops, livestock husbandry, and related farming activities.
  • Promote a commodity or commodities to farmers
  • Organize and conduct training for farmers through farm visits, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, field trips, and meetings using a participatory approach.
  • Work with marketing, credit, research, and regulatory institutions to incorporate them in the agriculture production system.
  • Collect and provide statistical data pertaining to crops, livestock, and agro-processing.
  • Assist with the promotion of school gardening and related agriculture education programs

The Districts contacts are as follows:

Cayo District Agriculture Office: 804-2079

District Agriculture Coordinator:
Acting DAC Mr. Jonathan Can: jonathan.can@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:
Mr. Amir Pulido: extofficer.bmp@agriculture.gov.bz

Ms. Bernie Cob: bernadette.cob@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Jesse Madrid: jesse.madrid@agriculture.gov.bz

Melissa Balan: melissa.balan@agriculture.gov.bz

Belize District Agriculture Office #: 205-5087/205-5088

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Acting DAC Mr. Miguel Balan: email: noel.ramos@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Mr. Noel Ramos: Noel.Ramos@Agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Vicente Tuyub: email: vicente.tuyub@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Abimael Puck: Email: abimael.puck@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Andy Che: Email: andy.che@agriculture.gov.bz

Corozal District Agriculture Office #: 402-2297

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Mr. Elsner Campos email: dac.cz@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Mr. Carlos Martinez: carlos.martinez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Emilio Perez: emilio.perez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Moises Perez: moises.perez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Leonardo Eck: leonardo.eck@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Carlos Martinez: cm056144@gmail.com

Orange Walk District Agriculture Office #: 342-7119

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Acting DAC; Mr. Sergio Hernandez: Email: Sergio.hernandez@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers

Mr. Miguel Huertas:miguel.huertas@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Carlos Tzul: Carlos.Tzul@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Federico Chi: Federico.Chi@agriculture.gov.bz

Orange Walk Station Manager

Mr. Francisco Xiu: Email: francisco.xiu@agriculture.gov.bz

Stann Creek District Agriculture Office #: 502-2514

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Fred Roches: dacstanncreek@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Heidy Cob: heidy.cob@agriculture.gov.bz

Densford Mangar: densford.mangar@agriculture.gov.bz

Marvin Blades: extofficer.sc1@agriculture.gov.bz

Toledo District Agriculture Office #: 702-2689

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Justaquio Tush: justaquio.tush@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Victor Kuk: victor.kuk@agriculture.gov.bz

Andrew Che: andrew.che@agriculture.gov.bz

Andre Logan: andre.logan@agriculture.gov.bz

Adrian Mendoza: extofficer.to1@agriculture.gov.bz

 

Location of District Agriculture Offices in Belize