Minister of Agriculture Concludes Cayo District Tour

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, has completed a two-day tour of the Cayo District. The tour is a part of the minister’s familiarization visits to the different agricultural communities and areas across the country.

The tour started on Tuesday, May 4, with a handing over of materials valued at BZ$25,000, including two covered structures complete with an irrigation system and an assortment of vegetable seeds donated by AgroVet Jiron and Sons, Limited. The tour then proceeded on visits to the well-known agricultural communities of Springfield, Valley of Peace and Upper Barton Creek.

On Wednesday, May 5, day two of the tour, Minister Mai and his contingent travelled to the Vaca area to meet with livestock farmers and sign a memorandum of understanding as a part of the handing over of a cattle scale to the farmers for use in the livestock trade. The tour continued to San Antonio Village to visit the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative and concluded with a visit to the Pozo Maya farm owned by Mr. Dan Lopez.

Minister Mai was accompanied by Hon. Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat and Hon. Alex Balona, area representatives for Cayo West and Cayo Central, respectively; Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry; and technical staff of the Ministry of Agriculture. Minister Mai will visit other areas of the country in the upcoming months to complete his tour of Belize.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Holds Annual General Meeting 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise held its two-day virtual annual general meeting (AGM) on April 29-30, 2021 at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds conference room.  

The objective of the AGM was to present accomplishments and workplans that will guide the Ministry in its planning, activities, and initiatives over the next 12 months. The workplans outlined the vision of the various departments and partner agencies to promote agriculture locally and to be more export-oriented under the new programmatic framework of vegetable and root crops, grains, traditional crops, and livestock, among others. 

During the opening ceremony, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, highlighted the role that agriculture plays in the Belizean economy when farmers produce more local product and reduce the food import bill. Minister Mai emphasized the role agriculture plays in the economy and the importance of working together with all directorates and partners to achieve all the goals of Plan Belize. 

Present at the event were Mr. Servulo Baeza, CEO in the Ministry; program coordinators; and national and international partners in development. 

Minister of Agriculture Gives Calf to Young Farmer 

Belmopan. April 19, 2021. 4:15 p.m. 

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, handed over a calf this morning to Brayden Gillett, a 9-year-old farmer of Blackman Eddy in the Cayo District.

Prior to receiving the calf this morning, Brayden had been raising a calf at his home in Blackman Eddy for almost a year when his animal was stolen. Upon learning Brayden’s story, Minister Mai, through collaboration with the Mennonite Community in Shipyard, agreed to donate a young animal.

During the handing over, Minister Mai encouraged Brayden to continue to pursue his dream of being a cowboy and to become a successful cattle farmer, in order to create employment and contribute to the development of the country.

The brief ceremony took place on the grounds of the community center in Blackman Eddy. Present at the ceremony were the Mr. Kano Green, chairman of Blackman Eddy, village councillors and residents.

Handling over of calf to 9 year old boy

Minister of Agriculture Appoints Citrus Working Group  

Belmopan. April 19, 2021. 5:10 p.m.  

Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, has nominated a high-level Citrus Working Group tasked with preparing concrete recommendations to chart the way forward for the citrus industry in Belize.

The working group is to be chaired by Hugh O’Brien, former chief executive officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, and includes Dr. Eugene Cleland, representative for the Citrus Growers Association (CGA); Ernest Raymond, representative for Belize Citrus Mutual (BCM); Kent Herrera, representative for Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL); Franklyn Magloire, representative, Development Finance Corporation (DFC); Jose Novelo, representative for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise; and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

The specific terms of reference of the working group are as follows:

i.        To analyze the present situation with regards to the citrus industry in light of record low production, citrus greening and other diseases, financial constraints and other local and international challenges;

ii.       To present proposals for reform, including legislative and organizational changes, and analyzing all viable options for the citrus industry in general;

iii.      To prepare concrete recommendations to revive and diversify the citrus industry;

iv.      To conduct (i), (ii) and (iii) by reviewing existing studies and information, and consulting with key industry personnel.

Production of citrus in Belize has rapidly declined in recent years, reaching a low of 2.1 million boxes in the 2019-2020 crop while the current crop is not expected to reach even 2 million boxes. This is a dismal production when compared to the 7.8 million boxes produced in 2005, a time when citrus was in its glory days and considered the “King of the South.”

The citrus industry is facing numerous challenges. Minister Mai believes that given the right environment and leadership, the industry can be both revived and diversified.

The Citrus Working Group is appointed initially for a period of eight weeks, during which time the group is expected to prepare and submit recommendations to Minister Mai, who will then submit these recommendations to Cabinet via a Cabinet Paper for their consideration.

Farmers Successfully Complete Sheep Training  

Belmopan. April 15, 2021.

Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, and H.E. David K.C. Chien, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), today participated in a certificate ceremony for 30 sheep farmers from the Orange Walk and Corozal districts at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station, Orange Walk District.

Minister Mai and Ambassador Chien issued certificates of participation and completion to sheep farmers who received training in a range of topics, including animal care, nutrition, pasture establishment, health and traceability. The training was done by expert technicians and facilitators from the Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission.

The Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project is a four-year project that goes on to 2023. The main objectives of the project are to assist Belizean farmers to improve the quality of the sheep and goats; to conduct market value chain analysis and implement a marketing program to promote consumption and market penetration for sheep and goat products; and to strengthen the Sheep and Goat Traceability System to improve value chain efficiencies and branding quality of sheep and goat products. The governments of Belize and Taiwan have expressed their desire and commitment to further strengthening the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries through the implementation of this project and look forward to further collaboration to improve the welfare and benefit of the Belizean people.

The farmers will now be expected to produce sheep more efficiently using resources available at their farms and to increase income and profitability from sheep and goat rearing, while at the same time contributing to national food security. More training workshops will be held for other farmers in all districts.

Sheep Training

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Tours Vegetable Seedling Nursery 

Belmopan. April 7, 2021.

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, along with Mr. Fermin Blanco, OIRSA country representative, visited Central Farm to inspect vegetable seedlings.

A total of 18,000 seedlings will be distributed to farmers and producers at all levels, including ba ckyard gardeners. The seedlings were donated as seeds by the OIRSA Regional Emergency Fund to assist vegetable farmers who were affected by the flooding caused by storms Eta and Iota.

Grown by the Central Farm Horticulture Unit, the vegetable seedlings at the nursery include tomato, lettuce, cabbage, and sweet pepper. The distribution of seedlings is in line with the Plan Belize agriculture policy to restore food security and revive the livelihoods of farmers and producers.

A presentation of the nursery management practices, from soil-mix plant mediums to the sowing of seeds, was also demonstrated at the event.

Revival of the Rice Production Program for Toledo (Rice Milpa Farmers)

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and
Enterprise, attended a special ceremony to commemorate the launch of the
revival of the Rice Production Program in Toledo on March 25, 2021 at the
Rice Mill in Big Falls Village.

The revitalization of the industry will ensure that the agriculture sector in the
Toledo District and the country is developed for income generation, the
improvement of farms and the livelihoods of families.

After the ceremony, farmers were engaged in open discussions focused on
varieties of seeds to be planted, quality and payment, and the technical
collaboration that will be provided to the farmers by the Ministry of
Agriculture.

Minister Mai was joined by Hon. Oscar Requeña, Minister of Rural
Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government
and area representative for Toledo West; Hon. Michael Espat, Minister of
State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment and
area representative for Toledo East; and Mr. Valentino Shal, Chief Executive
Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development,
Labour and Local Government. Other personnel present included rice
farmers, officers from the Belize Marketing and Development Cooperation,
technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, chairpersons of the
villages, and the president and vice-president of the Toledo Alcalde.

Association.

The International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise today launched its Biological Pest Control Programme at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds in Belmopan.  

 This programme is of economic importance to Belize and the OIRSA region. It started in 1999, when the pink mealybug was detect ed in Belize, and OIRSA, through its emergency funds, assisted along with IICA, CARDI and USDA/APPHIS for the rapid control and prevention of its reach to other Central American countries. 

In 2019, the pink hibiscus mealybug lab was restructured to accommodate the production of two natural pest control insects known as Trichogramma pretiosium and the Chrysoperla carnea, also known as the green lacewing. These two natural predators showed potential use for farmers in Belize and for the region. 

The Trichogramma pretiosium is a wasp of about 0.5 mm long, which parasitizes eggs of pest like lepidopteras. When the wasp egg hatches, the larvae feeds inside the moth egg, killing it by default. These wasps target pests like sugarcane borer, cornstalk borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, diamond back moth, and cabbage loopers, among others. The Chrysoperla carnea (green lacewings) adult feeds on nectar, pollen, and mildew, while the larvae feed on insect pest eggs, larvae, nymphs, and sometimes adult pests. The larvae feed for two to three weeks on soft-bodied insect pests; they target pests such as aphids, whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, leafhoppers and mealybugs. 

 These natural predators are clean and environmentally safe for use. They are effective and will assist farmers in reducing chemical pesticides normally used in their production management. If the pest population is drastically reduced, the adult insects will fly off in search of food in other bushy areas. 

 Present at the launch were Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise; Mr. Fermin Blanco, OIRSA country representative in Belize; Mr. Servulo Baeza, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Francisco Gutierrez, Acting Managing Director, Belize Agricultural Health Authority; Ms. Omaira Avila, CARDI representative; and representatives from the Belize Livestock Association, Pesticides Control Board, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Virtually present were Efrain Medina Guerra, Executive Director of OIRSA; and Dr. Carlos Urias, Regional Director for Plant Health, OIRSA. 

Pictures of the Biological Control Programme Launched

Handing over Ceremony of Gardening Materials to Preschools in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts

March 19th 2021

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, was the guest speaker at a handing over ceremony of gardening materials to preschools in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts. The ceremony was part of the activities being held for Childhood Stimulation Month and took place at the Louisiana Government Preschool in Orange Walk Town.

Receiving the gardening materials were officials from the Orange Walk and Corozal District Education Centers. The gardening materials include 5,000 seeds of assorted vegetables, seed planting trays and germination mix. After the handing over, there was a seed planting demonstration carried out by Miguel Huertas, Ministry of Agriculture Extension Service, and preschooler Aiden Melendez.

In his remarks, Minister Mai emphasized the importance of gardening and its contribution to education, not only for healthier diets, but also as a means of furthering science education and agricultural skills. He stated that while today’s ceremony will impact children in Orange Walk and Corozal, preschoolers nationwide will receive the same materials.

Also in attendance were Servulo Baeza, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise; Dian Maheia, CEO in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology; teachers and other invited guests.