The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has partnered with the World Food Program to support the recovery of livelihoods of smallholder farmers directly impacted by Hurricane Lisa on November 2022, with direct cash and voucher assistance.
The assistance will be made using a digital solution where farmers will be able to purchase agricultural inputs through MAFSE-accredited merchants. Funding for the assistance has been received from the Government of Italy and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Charities.
After the passage of Hurricane Lisa in November 2022, the National Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA) indicated that approximately 93 rural communities were affected. The areas mostly affected include some of the primary crops production zones of Belize, Cayo and Orange Walk Districts. A small number of farmers were also affected in the Corozal and Stann Creek District.
The assistance to the smallholder farmers is very critical to the recovery of the agriculture sector within the affected areas. Through this assistance the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the World Food Program will assist 727 smallholder farmers. The assistance will be provided through a digital platform using Digiwallet as the local mobile money service provider. The assistance is broken down into two components; with the first being a 700 BZD redeemable voucher that farmers can use to purchase agricultural inputs and small equipment’s at approved merchants. The second is a 300 BZD unconditional cash which farmers can use to purchase at any Digiwallet approved store or withdraw/redeem cash.
These supports are all aligned with the Plan Belize Policy where small farmers will receive support in implementing Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture that will increase food production and adoption to climate smart, green agriculture. Apart from the support to farmers the Ministry of Agriculture also received 40 tablets that will be used to collect farmer information on the Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS).
Present at the event was Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Servulo Baeza, World Food Program (WFP) Representative & Country Director, Multi-Country Office, Mr. Regis Chapman, Mr. Daniel Hernandez from the Church of Latter Day Saint and other invited guest.
