Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, completed a two-day tour of the Orange Walk District on May 14, 2021. The tour was a part of his familiarization visits to the different agriculture communities and areas across the country.

The tour started on Thursday, May 13, with a handing over of vegetable seedlings and inspection of the Carmelita Government School’s tilapia ponds. The tour then proceeded to G&B Ranch, a cattle operation in San Estevan that seeks to improve the current genetics of Nelore, Nelore Mocho, Red Brangus and Braunvieh breeds of cattle in Belize.

On Friday, May 14, Minister Mai and his contingent travelled to San Carlos and Indian Church villages. The Ministry of Agriculture awarded two onion selectors designed to separate onions and potatoes into various sizes to the New River Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. of San Carlos. Also donated were two-inch hoses for irrigation and mulching plastics to conserve water by reducing evapotranspiration. Farmers from nearby Indian Church received irrigation hoses and plastic mulch. Las Orquidias, a women’s group from Indian Church, received a greenhouse for their vegetable production.

They then travelled to Blue Creek where the minister was welcomed by the chairman and business community. He was awarded tokens of appreciation from various members of the business community. The minister also toured the Caribbean Chicken production facility in Blue Creek. The day ended at August Pine Ridge, where the three Farmers of the Year 2020 were awarded heifers. The minister also toured Little Farm, owned by Mrs. Teresita Sanchez, Female Farmer of the Year 2020. The Senior Farmer of the Year is Mr. Amiel Mesh from San Antonio, Cayo District, and the Junior Farmer of the Year is Mr. Andrei Camal from Xaibe Village, Corozal District.

Mr. Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry, technical staff, and partners in development with the Ministry of Agriculture, accompanied Minister Mai. He was accompanied by the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño at San Estevan and by Hon. Kevin Bernard at Carmelita. The minister will visit the Corozal District this week to complete his tour of Belize.