Red kidney Bean Producers Meeting

On the 3rd of May 2022, The Ministry of Agriculture host a meeting with Red kidney bean Producers’  at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds Conference room.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss red kidney bean production statistics and the potential for the export market, especially for any excess red kidney beans supply after local market demand has been fulfilled. Belize consumes up to 3 million pounds of RK beans annually.
Attending the meeting were producer groups from around the country, especially the Mennonite communities in Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo Districts, and personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Training for Orange Walk Beekeepers on Finances and Record keeping

On May 3rd, 2022 the Orange Walk Co-operatives Department hosted a one-day training session for the Orange Walk Beekeepers. The event was hosted at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station in the Orange Walk District.
The training, which focused on finances and record keeping, was facilitated by Inspector of Cooperative Records Mr. Hector Torres.
The Orange Walk Beekeepers were formed in 2016 and is made up of 25 active members. This workshop is the last training session being hosted for the group, which now will qualify to be registered as a new Cooperative.

Animal Health Week

On April 30, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture declared the first unified Animal Health Week. The event which is celebrated  from Saturday April 30 to Friday May 6, 2022 was declared open by Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, who pointed out the importance of vets to agriculture in the improving economy.
He also emphasized improving relationships between the Ministry and vets. The short ceremony declaring the week open was held at the Animal Medical Center in Belize City.

Training on Grafting Techniques

On April 28, 2022 the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a technical training on grafting techniques to 30 farmers from the Northern Sugarcane Growers’ Association.
The purpose of the training was to impart basic knowledge and develop skills about propagating different types of plants by budding and grafting. As well provide basic knowledge about tools and equipment’s and growing structures used in nursery for plant production and entrepreneurial skills of plant propagation as a means of income diversification.
Grafting is an art that becomes more successful with practices and therefore, this workshop has given hands-on instruction on grafting techniques. The session  covered information of the benefits of grafting, root stock choice and scion wood selection and collection as well demonstration of grafting techniques used in fruit tree propagation.

Exchange Visit

April 28, 2022, the Resilient Rural Belize, and both the Department of Co-operatives and Extension Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, organized and coordinated an exchange visit of two farmer groups from the Corozal District to the Cayo District.
The Northern Sustainable Agro Producers Group of Xaibe Village and Concepcion Farmers Group of Concepcion Village visited Maya Green Growers Co-operative and SAYAB Farmers Group, both of San Antonio Village, Cayo.
The purpose of the visit was for the farmer enterprises to exchange experiences and discuss best practices; as well facilitate introspective review of organization development and administration; by open communication, coordination, collaboration, and partnership channels; and stimulating discussion on gap analysis.
The visit also included stops at Lower Barton Creek and Central Farm.

Value Chain and Market Assessment Validation Workshop

27th, April 2022,
The Ministry of Agriculture Policy Unit along with Technical Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cooperative Department are currently attending a one day Value Chain and Market Assessment Validation Workshop for eight commodities, (sweet pepper, tomatoes, onion, cabbage, hot pepper, carrots, pineapple and honey and honey by-products) at the University of Belize Central Farm conference room.
The objective of the planned workshop is to review and validate the information provided by key actors in the value chain as well as to identify and prioritize potential value chain production, processing, and marketing efficiency improvements benefiting smallholders, women, youth, and other actors along the value chain.
This workshop is facilitated by the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) Programme in collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE).
CATIE is a regional center situated in Costa Rica that dedicates to research and graduate education in agriculture, and the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Its members include Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the State of Acre in Brazil.

Training of Trainers in Advanced Beekeeping Management Practices

April 25, 2022:
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE) through the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project (Honey Project) is currently conducting a weeklong workshop entitled “Training of Trainers in Advanced Beekeeping Management Practices” that is being held at the Yo-Creek Agriculture Station, Yo-Creek Village, Orange Walk District from the 25th to 29th April 2022.
The training includes topics such as i) group dynamics, ii) record keeping, iii) good manufacturing practices iv) Facilitation in Diversification v) Marketing and vi) Value-addition of Honey and Honey Products. This is being done with the collaboration of institutions such as the Cooperative Department, and both local and international consultants. The capacity building is aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial skills, organization, value addition and marketing.
The workshop forms a part of a grant agreement, Component 3 of Belize 2nd Cycle Country Assistance Program, that was signed on 21st November 2018 between the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Develop Fund (CDF). The overall objective of the Project is for the expansion of the honey production subsector in Belize, targeting the delivery of new and additional capabilities to women and disadvantaged youth to reap the advantages of employment and empowerment through sector specific knowledge acquisition.
The workshop is being held with 20 beekeepers and 5 Extension Officers from the Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts.

Agricultural Labor Technician for Peasant Leaders Training Course

Agricultural Labor Technician for Peasant Leaders Training Course
A delegation of 30 Belizeans are traveling to Colombia for a 90-day training course. On April 24, 2022, the first group of 15 Belizean left the Philip Goldson Airport.
The courses come through the project for Agricultural Labor Technician for Peasant Leaders. Countries participating are from the Mesoamerica Project which includes Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Cost Rica.
The Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia, APC Colombia, in compliance with its mission as a coordinating source of international cooperation, is seeking to strengthen South-South Cooperation with the countries of the Andean Community (Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru) and some countries of the Mesoamerica Project (Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica). The project covers 30 full scholarships to each of the countries to participate in the course “Agricultural Labor Technician” that will be held In Colombia. The course will be taught by the PANACA Foundation under full immersion modality for a period of 82 days.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE: The Agricultural Labor Technical Training Program designed by the Panaca Foundation seeks to develop technical skills in agriculture and animal production, making the beneficiaries live the day to day of business productive units with high quality standards, under the guidance of specialized professionals and expert personnel who manage production processes in the facilities of the Interactive Center for Science and Technology of the Agricultural Sector, Fundapanaca.
During the development of the training modules, the beneficiaries will carry out practical activities in agricultural mechanization, operation of irrigation systems, management of semi-annual crops, establishment of orchards, livestock, pig farming, production of minor species. Simultaneously, the beneficiaries will participate in activities that develop their human and life skills, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities as integral beings strengthened with a positive attitude.
The course seeks to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and inspire each participant to develop their own life project and, at the same time, become an inspiring and formative model among the peasants of their own environment, guided by principles of discipline, leadership, respect, cultural exchange and love for the countryside.
Criteria’s Fundapanaca establishes as a profile for those who are going to take the course are the following: ✓ Be over 18 years old ✓ Basic schooling: mathematics and literacy ✓ Agricultural Vocation ✓ Demonstrate a sense of belonging to your community ✓ Communication skills and community leadership, ✓ Write and read in Spanish as well be fluent in the Spanish language. ✓ Be from a rural area.

Training for Maya Green Growers Co-operative of San Antonio

Training for Maya Green Growers Co-operative of San Antonio
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022 the Department of Co-operatives facilitated to Maya Green Growers Co-operative of San Antonio, Cayo a training workshop on the conduct of meetings. Meetings are important for the success of any organization. In co-operatives there are two main classes of meetings: general meetings and management committee meetings. General meetings are meetings where all members of a co-operative attend. Section 21 of the Co-operative Societies Act (Chapter 313, Laws of Belize) Subsidiary reads that “The supreme authority in a registered society shall be vested in the general meeting of members at which every member has a right to attend and vote on all questions.” This is where and how members exercise their ownership, authority and control of the co-operative.
There is no fixed number of special general meetings to be held in a year; the number depends on the frequency at which urgent issues arise.
In every co-operative, members elect a Management Committee to run the affairs of the society on their behalf. That committee should consist of seven members.
In order to carry out duties entrusted by the general meetings, the committee is mandated to hold monthly meetings. However, these may be more often depending on the business of the co-operative.
The discussions during such meetings typically include:
• consideration and confirmation of the minutes of the previous meetings;
• discussion on and verification of the accounts of the co-op (liquidity position);
• receipt of and discussion on various reports of the co-op (includes activity and sub committee reports).
• discussion of the financial obligations of the co-op (creditors and other commitments).
• discussion on any other matters that affects the running of the business of the co-op

Meeting with Productores de Frutas Tradicionales Bromelia of St Margaret’s Village

Meeting with Productores de Frutas Tradicionales Bromelia of St Margaret’s Village

 

On Thursday, April 21, 2022 the Department of Co-operatives facilitated a meeting with Productores de Frutas Tradicionales Bromelia of St Margaret’s Village, Cayo.

The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a revision of their Internal Policies. The Bylaws and Internal Policies make up a co-operative’s regulatory and guidance documents and are subject to review and revisions from time to time.

The Department of Co-operatives has oversight of co-operative functions across the country and makes constant efforts to monitor and review their various activities to assist the co-operatives in how they conduct their business and to ensure compliance with their internal policies.

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