Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project Transforming Belize Agriculture

Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project Transforming Belize Agriculture

Welcome to the impactful journey of Belize’s sheep and goat industry, shaped by the Genetic Improvement Project, generously funded by the Taiwanese Government and executed by Taiwan ICDF. Launched in 2015 at Central Farm, Belize, the project aimed to revolutionize the breeding and productivity of small ruminants.

Key Challenges Addressed:

  • The project identified and tackled critical issues, including poor breeding sheep quality attributed to a small paddock and insufficient facilities.
  • Inefficiencies in equipment and a lack of basic facilities were hindering the breeding activities, leading to an inability to meet the needs of farmers.

Collaboration and Diplomatic Relations:

  • Belize and Taiwan have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration since October 11th, 1989, focusing on mutual interests, socio-economic development, and agricultural initiatives.
  • This collaboration played a dynamic role in bringing together stakeholders in the Agriculture Sector, particularly in the sheep and goat sub-sectors.

Project Impact and Achievements:

  • Significant infrastructure development at the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center in Central Farm, with a dedicated Sheep Barn capable of accommodating 650 sheep and goats.
  • Importation of 104 breeding stocks, including Dorper, Black Belly, Katahdin, Nubian, and Boer, resulting in 731 offspring of improved genetic quality sold to Belizean farmers.

Capacity Building and Training:

  • A robust training program has been implemented, with 400 sheep and goat farmers benefiting from more than 32 workshops covering topics such as feeding management, sheep husbandry, and pasture establishment.
  • Additionally, more than 12 lamb culinary craft workshops received rave reviews, showcasing a holistic approach to supporting farmers and enhancing the industry.

Current Sheep Population and Future Plans:

  • As of 2022, Belize boasts a sheep population of approximately 17,264, cared for by 474 sheep farmers—a remarkable increase attributed to the Taiwanese Government’s intervention.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture is gearing up for the next phase, submitting a project concept to ICDF Taiwan, focusing on marketing, value addition, and continuous capacity building for farmers.

Global Competitiveness and Traceability System:

  • Emphasis is placed on establishing a functional traceability system to enhance global competitiveness and fetch better prices for sheep and goat products.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture is determined to move the sheep and goat industry further down the value chain, ensuring sustainability and profitability.

Acknowledgments:

  • Warm appreciation is extended to the Republic of China Taiwan and the technical staff of ICDF and the Ministry of Agriculture for their dedication.

Join us in celebrating the achievements, progress, and promising future of Belize’s sheep and goat sector—a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to agricultural excellence.

Diagnostic Evaluation of the Honey Industry

A ceremony to share the results of a diagnostic evaluation of the Honey Industry in the north was held yesterday 24th of August at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station in Orange Walk.
Dr. Rodrigo Medellin and Dr. Priscilla de la Torre, both experts in apiculture working with the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development, AMEXCID, arrived in Belize on Monday 21st of August and went on a tour of apiaries in Corozal and Orange Walk, examining hives and checking on conditions of apiaries. They shared their observations yesterday during a brief ceremony attended by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise.
The analysis covered observations on bee behavior, hive characteristics, presence of diseases and pests observed and other observations such as apiaries and human contact. The results will be used to help determine the best way forward for the rehabilitation of the honey industry.

BELIZE AGRICULTURE CENSUS 2018

BELIZE AGRICULTURE CENSUS 2018

BACKGROUND
The agriculture and food sector is one of the main pillars of the Belizean economy, contributing approximately $590 million annually to economic output, representing 80% of domestic exports, and directly employs 17.9% of the Belizean population. Moreover, it is a major foreign exchange earner, maintains a vibrant rural population and ensures food and nutrition security for the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing major initiatives to reform the enabling environment for agriculture and food production including the regulatory framework, market reform, and adoption of advanced technologies to counter the significant challenges posed by climate change. For these initiatives to be properly implemented, accurate data at all levels is required. The Belize Agriculture Management Information System (BAIMS) is now being populated via the Agriculture Census 2018. This information is critical for evidence based decision making by the Ministry.

The BAIMS evolved from an in-depth Country Assessment on Agriculture Statistics, and a Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Statistics (SPARS) following the standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture. The BAIMS is a web-based application that serves as a central repository for data collection and dissemination and was developed by a local company, KYN Consulting of Corozal Town.

The Census will populate the Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS) with key information on the farmer, geo-referenced coordinates of farms and details on the farming activities. The 2018 Census results data will be used to accurately project production, and link the production to markets using the virtual market platform. In addition, analysis of the geo-referenced data will enable the Ministry to do remote sensing for the evaluation, monitoring and management of crop resources, increase the implementation of pest and disease surveillance systems, design appropriate drainage and irrigation infrastructure and improve climate risk management.

What is the Agriculture Census?
The Agriculture Census is a count of all the farmers and farm activities in Belize. It will present a true picture of the state of agriculture in the country on who, what, and how much is being produced. The Census can be considered a first count, the Ministry will continuously collect data to keep the BAIMS updated.

Expected Outputs of the Belize Agriculture Census 2018
The following is expected as a result of the Census:
1. A National Farmer and geo-referenced Farm Registry.
2. Production data on priority commodities for the period of the Census
3. A populated BAIMS
4. Agriculture Census Report 2018

Importance of the Census Data
The importance of the Census cannot be understated. Farmers, buyers, agro-stakeholders & government require information for decision-making. Quality (accurate, timely & reliable) data allows for objective analysis of the agriculture sector’s contribution to the socio-economic development of Belize. Some key uses of the data however will support users in the following:
• To create better opportunities for linking their products to local, regional or international markets.
• To advocate for the development of better financial policies for greater and more affordable agriculture credit
• To assist with the surveillance and management of pest & diseases
• To assess damages and recovery needs in times of natural disaster
• To better allocate resources and focus programs, grants and projects to address the needs of the farming communities
• To support farmers in disaster risk management
• To monitor and respond in cases of flood & drought
• To provide support and technical advice in water management:
– climate change resilience
– to monitor and measure land use changes

How will the Belize Agriculture Census 2018 Be Conducted?
The interview will be conducted by Ministry personnel and twenty (20) authorized enumerators, bearing a ministry identification card and Agriculture Census 2018 T-shirt.
Before Census personnel begin the Census in a village, sensitization and awareness will take place at the village level through the local radio stations, the Leaders, Chairman or Charlady, Church Pastors and schools.
Upon reaching the farmer, personnel will introduce themselves, explain the purpose of their visit and the confidentiality of the data being collected. Census personnel will also request to take a picture for the Farmer Identification card, a copy of the farmers identification card and a visit to the farm to obtain the geo-reference location.
While Ministry personnel will be conducting interviews village by village, Farmers are encouraged to visit an Agriculture Office and be counted. Farmer and Farm Registration is open year-round.

Where and When will the Census Start?
The Census will be conducted in all major productive villages throughout Belize. The villages of Valley of Peace and Spanish Lookout are the first two villages that will be visited in June 2018. Thereafter, data will be collected for a month and a half in each district.
The time frame for the completion of the Census is nine (9) months, commencing in the month of June 2018 and ending in the month of February 2019.

Why is the Census Important?
It will:
• develop a farmer and farm registry which will provide tools for the better delivery of services and targeting of resources to farmers
• collect production data and provide a true picture of the contribution of agriculture and food production to the socio-economic development of Belize
• production data will be collected and will be a recurring feature of our data management system that will form the basis for a virtual marketing platform linking farmers directly to markets

Why should you participate?
• You will be provided with an official Farmer Identification Card recognizing you as a farmer.
• With accurate production data, we can better link your produce to available markets.
• By knowing where you are and what you produce, we can better respond to your needs in times of disaster recovery, pest and disease outbreak, or any other assistance required.

What will be done with your information?
• All individual data collected will remain secure and strictly confidential.
• Only aggregated data will be provided in official publication.
• Assist in identifying targeted areas where support can be provided.
• The results will support government in measuring the impact of support to Agriculture.
• The contribution of the Agriculture sector and its industries will be accurately measured and reported.

After the Census, what will be Done with the Census Data?
• The Registry of the Census, will guide the Ministry in conducting continuous Agriculture Production Surveys for priority commodities to advise farmers and decision markers on the projections of production.
• A virtual marketing platform, accessible through a mobile application, will be developed where farmers, if they chose to can publish their contact and production information so that buyers can view and make contact.

Census flyer can be download here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9gKQXNrTL6w6t6msbj4A_p_B1VfU5ci/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iDDEa_-2TsE8uGFR6qKW3qZlsNydzW6g/view?usp=sharing

 

Research and Development

Research and Development

Goal

The Research and Development Unit goal is to Promote sustainable practices in horticulture crop production. Address the research needs of the agricultural sector through R&D networking.

Background

The Central Farm Research and Development is a centralized station compromised of five main sections: Administration, Livestock, Crops, Agro-processing and Agriculture Engineering.

Activities

  1. Research under cover structures/Open Fields
  2. Variety trial for various Crops
  3. Pesticide Efficacy Trial
  4. Validation of seeds varieties
  5. Promote efficient weed control system in exotic fruit production.
  6. Execute Pesticide Efficacy Evaluation in main horticulture crops (Cucurbits,Crucifers and Solanaceas) using Good Pesticides Management Practices.
  7. Promote backyard garden in Belize and utilize farm resources in an efficient manner to produce healthy and quality vegetables.
  8. Production of Organic Fertilizers

Services

The unit serves as a research and demonstration center which provides services and training to student, farmers, farmers group, cooperatives, extension agents and NGO’s.

Future Activities

  1. Facilitate the development of Five garden centers to support Ministries of Agriculture and Education Initiatives
  2. Central Farm Small Scale Agriculture Demonstration site
  3. NATS show grounds Agriculture display model/Demo Site
  4. World Food Day School Garden Demonstration and Training Model

Contact Information

Director of Research and Innovation
Ina Sanchez – ina.sanchez@agriculture.gov.bz

Horticulture Technicians
Harold Westby – hwestby@agriculture.gov.bz
Samuel Cocom – samuel.cocom@agriculture.gov.bz
Alberto Gutierrez – agutierrez@agricuture.gov.bz
Gary Ramirez – gramirez@agriculture.gov.bz

Collaborators