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.

• Katahdin Sheep – BROCHURE
• Dorper – BROCHURE
• Barbados Black Belly Sheep – BROCHURE
• Mar Alfalfa – BROCHURE
• Mulberry – BROCHURE
• Nacedero – BROCHURE
• Nutrition Principles of Ram
• Ewe and Lamb
• Parasite Control
• Pasture Establishment
• Sheep Installation
• Breeding Management
• Breeding strategy
• FEEDING STRATEGY
• Hoof Trimming

Ministry of Agriculture Newsletter

The Ministry of Agriculture is pleased to share the our new monthly newsletter with you all.  We look forward to keeping you all up to date with all the latest news from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Click on Tab below to download PDF version of our Newsletter:

• Agric Newsletter- Issue 1-2021
• Agric Newsletter-Issue 2-2021
• Agric Newsletter-Issue 3-2021

Meeting with Grain Farmers on the Infestation of the pest Thysanoptera, or thrips

Belmopan, 23 February, 2021.

A meeting was held today at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station in Orange Walk to discuss grain production with grains farmers. The meeting was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai, who reassured farmers of the Ministry’s commitment to producers and highlighted the need to work together to confront the dangers presented to farmers.

The meeting came about as an infestation of the pest Thysanoptera, or thrips, which are tiny insects that suck the juices out of plants, is affecting black-eyed bean production in the Indian Creek area of the Orange Walk District, as well as some fields in the Spanish Lookout area of the Cayo District. Grain farmers from Shipyard, Blue Creek, Indian Creek, Little Belize, Neuland and Spanish Lookout all attended the meeting, some on virtual platforms, to discuss the total production of black- eyed beans affected and the way forward with control of the pest.

Personnel from BAHA have been out in the field to collect samples of the pest to determine its specific classification in order to make decisions about how to combat it. Extension officers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise have also been liaising with farmers in order to contain the spread as much as possible and monitor its progress. So far it seems only black-eyed beans are primarily affected as the variety of thrips present seems to have an affinity for that particular legume.

It is worthy to note that whereas Belize produces black-eyed beans, red kidney beans and other varieties for local consumption and for export, the black-eyed beans particularly are export- oriented and the loss of portions of the harvest will also be a loss to the generation of income. It should also be noted that the thrips pest present in the bean crop does not pose any danger to human beings.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise will continue its monitoring and response activities on this situation.

Belize Honey Production Re-Development Support Project

Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers

Funded by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)

Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

Grant Agreement – Component 4 of Belize 2^nd Cycle Country Assistance Programme

GRANT No. BZE/G0008

• THE PROJECT

A grant agreement, Component 3 of Belize 2^nd Cycle Country Assistance Program, was signed on 21^st November 2018 between the Government of Belize and the CARICOM Develop Fund (CDF). The project is geared towards the provision of capacity building to new and existing beekeepers in Good Beekeeping Practices and other related topics.

• OBJECTIVE

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 disadvantage youth to reap the advantages of employment and empowerment through sector specific knowledge acquisition.

 The specific objectives are to:

1. Increase rural livelihood opportunities through beekeeping in farming communities especially among women and youth.
2. Increase national production and productivity of beekeeping.
3. Increase the quality of honey and honey products through the promotion of standards and good manufacturing practices.

• EXECUTING AGENCY – The Ministry Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise

• RATIONALE

Belize has a rich history of beekeeping and honey production. The Mayans were the country’s first beekeepers producing honey from stingless bees, utilising very traditional methods of culturing the insects (primarily hollowed out tree trunks). Honey was a significant dietary supplement for the Mayans and stingless bees remained the main honey-makers until the mid-1900’s when new species were introduced and commercial production of the commodity was initiated.

The invasive Africanized species of bees are themselves heavy makers of honey, but their very aggressive nature render them difficult to manage. The Ministry of Agriculture advised that many beekeepers left the industry because there was a dearth of technical knowledge and capacity to manage the new challenge which Africanised bees presented to honey producers in Belize.

Over time, with technical assistance from external sources, the Ministry of Agriculture was able to enhance its own capacity and then transfer the requisite knowledge to bee-keepers across the country. Beekeepers, who opted to return to the industry gradually began improving their skills in management of Africanized bee apiaries and by 2000, there was a gradual revival of beekeeping. With these efforts, individual beekeepers began recording increased productivity levels. However, other challenges inclusive of issues such as pests and diseases, importation of contraband products of inferior quality into the local market, limited ongoing technical support, aging and decreasing numbers of beekeepers, access to affordable credit, constrained the progress of beekeeping from re-emerging as a sustainably viable industry.

Selection Criteria: Beneficiaries will be chosen based on a series of mandatory and secondary criteria as outlined in the application/nomination document. Please review this document before making the application/nomination.

Selection Criteria for the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project funded by the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) and Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

 The evaluation of applicants will be undertaken by a technical panel composed of a representative of the following instances:

Representatives of the: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise; Belize Marketing and Development Corporation and from the Ministry of Economic Development.  The selection of applications will be ratified by the Steering Committee. The process will be evaluated utilizing selection criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

• Farmer must be a Belizean National and provide relevant documentation.
• Farmer must express interest in overall beekeeping.
• Farmer must be minimum 15 years to qualify for CDF beekeeping project.
• Farmer must be business oriented and willing to operate beekeeping as a business model.
• Farmer must have basic knowledge on the importance of bees to agriculture and the environment
• Farmer must not have received previous training on honey production for the past 5 years.
• Farmer must be willing to adopt new techniques and best beekeeping practices.
• Farmer must be committed to expand production beyond the project life.
• Farmer must have access to suitable forest land to establish its apiary.
• Farmer must be able to adopt basic record keeping.
• Farmer must cooperate with Ministry of Agriculture/BAHA.

The selected beneficiaries will NOT be required to meet all the requirements but will be evaluated based on the number of criteria that they meet

Application/Nomination forms:

1. The forms can be pickup from the Agriculture Department in your District or downloaded below:

• Honey Project Application Form

Submission of forms:

1. Completed forms can be dropped off at the Agriculture Department in your District or email to nccard@agriculture.gov.bz

Deadline for Application/Nomination: March 20th, 2021

Belize Covered Structure and Capacity Enhancement Project

Funded by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)

Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

 Grant Agreement – Component 4 of Belize 2^nd Cycle Country Assistance Programme

GRANT No. BZE/G0009

COVERED STRUCTURES – SUPPORT TO SMALL DISADVANTAGED FARMERS

• THE PROJECT

The provision of a CDF grant to the Government of Belize for the acquisition of materials and construction assistance for at least 30 greenhouse structures, as well as the provision of capacity enhancing vegetable production training to at least 50 farmers, targeting women and disadvantaged youth in rural or depressed communities.

• OBJECTIVE

The key objective of this project is to raise the volume of vegetables on the local market that are produced under covered structures, by not less than 2.0 per cent of the 2017 level by end of 2022 and improve the consistency of production while increasing the incomes and the quality of life for beneficiaries under the project.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Increase the efficiency of vegetable production under covered structures by improving the construction design and irrigation systems of at least 30 structures by end of 2022.
2. Increase capacity building of extension personnel and farmers involved in the production of vegetables under covered structures by the hosting of at least 2 workshops for at least 10 extension personnel and 50 farmers.

• EXECUTING AGENCY – The Ministry Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise
• RATIONALE

Vegetable production is seasonal in Belize which with the adverse effects of climate change can be negatively affected by unseasonal drought or flood conditions. Additionally, pest problems characteristically manifest themselves during dry periods while wet periods propagate diseases especially in waterlogged soil conditions. Under these conditions, vegetable production becomes sub optimal resulting in supply shortages in the domestic market. Higher market prices for and imports of vegetable are often the consequence, thereby lowering nutrition of disadvantaged social groups and/or consuming foreign exchange through imports. It is therefore essential to overcome these constraints by securing and increasing vegetable production during these unseasonal periods. Greenhouses is covered structures cultivation which creates a controlled environment is the most workable means towards achieving the desired results. Covered Structures provide the advantage of crop protection from direct rain, sun, wind as well as pest and diseases. This type of production also enables farmers to achieve year-round production as opposed to seasonal production thereby addressing the inconsistency of supply. Sheltered cultivation through better management of diseases, water, and mineral supplies, ensures better yield than cultivating in the open field and generally improves quality and attractiveness of farm produce and improves prospects for even better prices.

Additionally, greenhouses enable production on smaller land spaces achieving significantly greater volumes of output per unit of arable land space due to intensive crop spacing and rotation techniques. Further, rainwater harvesting systems and irrigation are easily employed by the farmers to not only collect water for their farm usage but also for their domestic consumption. Ensuring the optimum and timely supply of nutrients to the crop is critical to maximizing yield. The availability of water using an irrigation system designed with a fertigation mechanism yields favorable result under protected structures.

Selection Criteria: Beneficiaries will be chosen based on a series of mandatory and secondary criteria as outlined in the application/nomination document. Please review this document before making the application/nomination.

Selection Criteria for the Belize Covered Structure and Capacity Enhancement Project funded by the Caribbean Development Fund (CDF) and Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

 Project beneficiaries has been defined to be;

Beneficiaries will comprise male, female and youth inhabitants of small farm holdings in rural villages that have the willingness and potential for improving productivity and access to markets. Among all beneficiaries, women (male or female) and youth participation is expected to be at least 50% Therefore, youth and female participation is expected in all key programme interventions.

Specifically,

1. Registered producer on the Belize Agriculture Information Management Systems (BAIMS)
2. Resides and conducting farming operation in a rural community in Belize.
3. Having ownership or lease land tenure status. (If none of the above is available, potential beneficiaries will be allowed to present a letter signed by a Justice of the Peace indicating long time use of the land and/or permission to do so from the owner).
4. Existing vegetable producer (producing crops commonly grown under structures in Belize)
5. Have access to suitable and required quantities of water for irrigation.
6. Willing to collaborate with Extension Service by participating in training sessions and allow for exchange visits by other farmers/students.
7. Ability to successfully fund and operate the facility

Additional considerations

1. Be a member of a farmer organization (formal or informal).
2. A farmer organization proposing to utilize for collective benefit of the group (Nursery, etc.)
3. Not a beneficiary of a similar project where the structure was misused or under-utilized.
4. Have previous experience with covered structures or had one damaged by natural disaster.
5. Farmer-of-the-year nominee or finalist within the last 5 years.

The selected beneficiaries will NOT be required to meet all the requirements but will be evaluated based on the number of criteria that they meet.

The forms can be picked up from the Agriculture Department in your district or downloaded below:

• CDF Covered Structure Project Application Form

 Please drop off completed application/Nomination forms to the nearest Agriculture Department or email to nccard@agriculture.gov.bz

Deadline for Application/Nomination: March 20th, 2021

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise Tours  the Stann Creek District