Ministry of Agriculture and Orange Walk Technical High School Commemorate World Food Day

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Orange Walk Technical High School, proudly celebrated World Food Day today at the Orange Walk district. This global event, observed on October 16th each year, serves as a reminder of the importance of food security and sustainable agriculture practices worldwide. This year theme was celebrated under “Water is Life, Water is Food – Leave No One Behind,” which underscores the critical role of water in food production, as well as the commitment to ensuring equitable access to food for all.
World Food Day provided today an opportunity for communities in the Orange Walk to come together to raise awareness about hunger and the need for equitable access to nutritious food. This year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Orange Walk Technical High School have joined forces to highlight the crucial role of agricultural education in building a sustainable food future.
The event, featured a range of activities designed to engage students, educators, and the local community in food security, sustainable farming, and the essential role that agriculture plays in our daily lives.
Minister of Agriculture emphasized, that “Water is at the core of the ability to feed the world’s population. Recognizing that water is a fundamental element in agriculture. He also mentioned that it is our duty to protect and manage this resource for the benefit of all, leaving no one behind in the journey towards food security.”
Present at the event was the Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Technical Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education and other invited guest.
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Grains Meeting Addresses Key Agricultural Concerns in Blue Creek

The Ministry of Agriculture and Representatives from the grain-growing communities of Blue Creek, Shipyard, Indian Creek, Spanish Lookout, Neuland, and Little Belize have convened to discuss the production of soybeans, sorghum, and various types of beans (Red Kidney, Pinto, Black Eye), as well as corn cultivation.

The meeting, held at Blue Creek, aims to provide a platform for local farmers, agricultural experts, and government officials to collaboratively tackle issues affecting grain production. Key topics on the agenda include:

Discussion on the latest developments in pest and disease control, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to protect their crops, weather conditions, climate change, and strategies to mitigate these challenges.

The Ministry of Agriculture, as part of its commitment to the local farming communities, regularly gathers valuable information through field visits. These visits assist in reporting, monitoring, and providing support to address issues on the ground.

The exchange of knowledge and expertise at this meeting is expected to lead to practical solutions that will benefit not only Blue Creek but also the entire grain-growing sector in the region. The Ministry of Agriculture looks forward to a fruitful discussion and collaboration between all the stakeholders involved.

OIRSA Celebrates 70 Years of Protecting Plant and Animal Health in the Region

The Organismo Internacional Regional de Salud Agropecuaria (OIRSA), the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health, proudly marks its 70th anniversary on October 29, 2023. Founded in 1953 by nine countries, OIRSA has been a steadfast guardian of agricultural health and food security in the region.
Over the past seven decades, OIRSA has played a vital role in safeguarding agricultural economies from the threats of animal and plant pests and diseases. With a commitment to border protection and cross-border cooperation, OIRSA has become a pillar of regional agricultural health and safety.
Annually, on October 29, OIRSA celebrates Regional Agricultural Health Day, emphasizing the prevention, protection, and control of pests of economic importance to its member countries. This day is a testament to the organization’s dedication to the wellbeing and food security of the region’s populations. As we celebrate 70 years of service, OIRSA remains committed to its mission of protecting the region’s agricultural health and food security.

MOU Signing

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was sign between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE), the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation, and the Ministry of Economic Development.

The MoU aims to facilitate the upgrade and increased visibility of Agrilinks, a marketing tool currently in use. This suggests a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness and reach of Agrilinks in promoting agricultural products.

The involvement of multiple government bodies, including MAFSE, MED, and the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation, indicates a collaborative effort to support and promote the agricultural sector and related economic activities.

Agrilinks is expected to play a crucial role in the marketing and development of agricultural products. Its upgrade and increased visibility can contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agriculture industry in Belize.

This MoU signifies a commitment to improving and modernizing the agricultural marketing landscape in Belize. By bringing together these key entities, the government is likely to create a more efficient and effective environment for the agricultural sector, ultimately benefitting both producers and consumers.

Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai attended the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica from October 3 to 5.
The Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas will meet with a broad work program that will also call on presidents, a Nobel laureate and a World Food Prize winner, to discuss solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the sector at times when food security is at the top of the global agenda.
The Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2023 will take place at the headquarters of the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA) and will also be attended by other high-ranking national authorities and international organizations, academics with global recognition and representatives of the productive and industrial sectors. The conference is held every 2 years.
The Inter-American Board of Agriculture (JIA) will sit within the Ministerial Conference, which is the highest governing body of IICA. The body is made up of 34 Member States of the Institute, an organization of the Inter-American System specialized in agricultural and rural development.
During the Conference, ministers will also debate the continent’s participation in the next United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 28), scheduled for the end of this year in Dubai.

Meeting with Potato Producers from the Cayo District

The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a potato meeting with producers from the Cayo District. The meeting, which was held in Belmopan, focused on discussions of various critical aspects of potato harvest projections for the 2023-2024 crop season in the Cayo district. Other matters addressed included the importation of potato seeds, a crucial factor in ensuring the quality and quantity of potato production.
The challenges faced by local potato producers, including storage losses, unstable prices, competition among farmers, and supply and quality issues, were addressed during the meeting. Strategies and solutions to enhance potato cultivation were discussed, which involved best practices, technology adoption, and market diversification. These challenges underscore the importance of proactive measures and strategies to address them effectively.
This year’s Crop Season Outlook for 2023-2024 projects an increase of 1,234,960 lbs. of potatoes compared to the previous crop season. This indicates a potential surplus if favorable weather conditions persist and could lead to low market prices for farmers in a saturated market. The Ministry of Agriculture is actively engaging with farmers to mitigate the challenges they face. The dialogue and collaboration show the interest the Ministry has in addressing the issues affecting the potato industry. A similar meeting was held with potato farmers of the Orange Walk District last week.

Honey Redevelopment Support Project

The “Honey Redevelopment Support Project” led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and supported by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is making significant contributions to the beekeeping and honey production industry in Belize. The project has initiated the distribution of 25 bee colonies to new beneficiaries in several districts, including Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize. One of the beneficiaries is the Belize High School of Agriculture.

In mid-November, the project plans to distribute more bee colonies to beneficiaries in the Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo Districts. This demonstrates the project’s commitment to extending its reach and impact. The primary objective of the project is to contribute to the revitalization and development of the honey industry in Belize. Beekeeping and honey production are vital components of this endeavor.

The project is particularly focused on supporting women and young people as beneficiaries. This approach is in line with efforts to empower and involve these demographics in the honey industry. The “Honey Redevelopment Support Project” is a commendable initiative that not only supports the growth of the honey industry but also promotes inclusivity by involving women and young individuals in this sector.

Sembrando Vida Project

AMEXCID personnel are currently in Belize with a mission of continuing the distribution of ATM cards for beneficiaries of the Sembrando Vida Project. Today the districts targeted were the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts.
Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts will be next for ATM card distribution. The continued distribution of ATM cards to beneficiaries reflects a commitment to improve the lives of those engaged in agriculture, while also supporting sustainability goals.
The Sembrando Vida Project is a program sponsored by the Mexican government in collaboration with the Government of Belize which aims at providing support to farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices.

Internal Auditing training

An Internal Auditing training was conducted for 23 public/private sector stakeholders, in Internal Auditing from a “train-the-trainers” perspective regarding the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard.

The objective of this training was to enrich the participants’ understanding of internal auditing, helping them enhance their quality management systems. Quality is highlighted as a continuous journey rather than just a goal. The focus is on maintaining high standards.

The workshop received funding from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy) Standby Facility program, which is financed by the European Union. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) managed the program, indicating their role in coordinating and overseeing the training.

Continuous improvement and adherence to quality standards are key for the success and sustainability of businesses and public entities.

Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2023

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, is leading a Belize delegation to the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2023 (CWA) in Nassau, Bahamas, from October 9 to 13. The event is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025.” 

 Minister Mai is accompanied by Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry, and a team from the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC), the marketing arm of the ministry. 

 During the CWA, leaders from across the Caribbean will participate in meetings and forums to discuss ways to mitigate pressing issues in agriculture for the region, focusing on food security. Minister Mai and CEO Baeza will participate in several meetings of regional bodies such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) Board of Governors, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ministers of Agriculture and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Ministerial Board.  

 The Caribbean Week of Agriculture also includes a tradeshow that will feature products and producers from all over the Caribbean region. The BMDC is representing Belizean producers with displays and samples of their products at the tradeshow.