Minister Mai travels to Mérida, Mexico signs technical Cooperation Agreements

Minister of Agriculture travelled to Mérida to sign agreements between INIFAP and the Central Farm Research, Development, and Innovation Department. This MOU included the signing of agreements with SADER which came after a series of high-level meetings between Minister Mai and Mexico’s Agriculture Secretary Dr. Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula in July and more recently with Ingeniera Lourdes Cruz, Coordinator for International Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) during the State Visit made by the Prime Minister John Briceño to Mexico.

The agreement with INIFAP was to get support for in vitro production of coconut seedlings, support for pitahaya and soursop as well sign technical cooperation agreement with the Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY) in Mérida, Yucatán, for agriculture technicians to train at INIFAP in Mexico.

The agreements between Belize and Mexico include scientific investigation and genetic improvement of fruit trees and livestock. These fruit trees include pitahaya (dragon fruit), coconut, pineapple, lime, and oranges as priority commodities.  Overall the MOU with SADER includes areas of cooperation in capacity building, training, research, and the facilitation of trade. Under that falls the component of SENASICA and BAHA.