Minister Jose Abelardo Mai Concludes Two Day Citrus and Coconut Industry Tour in Southern Belize

Belmopan, Belize – Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, completed a two-day tour of the citrus and coconut industries in southern Belize, aimed at strengthening the Ministry’s engagement with key stakeholders and exploring the current status, challenges, and opportunities for revitalization and growth in both sectors.

The tour commenced on Day One with visits to citrus and coconut farms across the southern region. The primary objective was to gain firsthand insight into the citrus industry’s recovery efforts following recent challenges, to assess the support needed by stakeholders, and to observe technological advancements being implemented for improved production and disease management. The coconut farm visits were focused on understanding the current acreage under cultivation and identifying the major issues and constraints facing coconut growers in the area.

Accompanying the Minister were CEO Mr. Servulo Baeza, Senior Adviser Mr. Hugh O’Brien, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Victoriano Pascual, Mr. Jose Novelo Project Execution Unit and Mr. Enrique Rivas.

On the second day, the delegation visited Silk Grass Farms, where they toured the farm and processing facility and engaged in productive discussions with the management team to better understand their integrated operations. The tour continued to TexBel Farms, a key player in both the citrus and coconut industries, to further dialogue on strategies for development and collaboration.

Throughout the two-day engagement, Minister Mai and his team emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to building resilience, improving productivity, and supporting climate change adaptation across the agriculture sector. Discussions also covered the need for greater access to financing, the importance of adopting best practices in pest and disease mitigation, and the promotion of innovation and investment to revitalize these vital industries.

The Ministry remains dedicated to supporting the citrus and coconut industries as part of its broader mission to achieve food security, enhance rural livelihoods, and ensure sustainable agricultural development in Belize.