Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project Transforming Belize Agriculture

Welcome to the impactful journey of Belize’s sheep and goat industry, shaped by the Genetic Improvement Project, generously funded by the Taiwanese Government and executed by Taiwan ICDF. Launched in 2015 at Central Farm, Belize, the project aimed to revolutionize the breeding and productivity of small ruminants.

Key Challenges Addressed:

  • The project identified and tackled critical issues, including poor breeding sheep quality attributed to a small paddock and insufficient facilities.
  • Inefficiencies in equipment and a lack of basic facilities were hindering the breeding activities, leading to an inability to meet the needs of farmers.

Collaboration and Diplomatic Relations:

  • Belize and Taiwan have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration since October 11th, 1989, focusing on mutual interests, socio-economic development, and agricultural initiatives.
  • This collaboration played a dynamic role in bringing together stakeholders in the Agriculture Sector, particularly in the sheep and goat sub-sectors.

Project Impact and Achievements:

  • Significant infrastructure development at the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center in Central Farm, with a dedicated Sheep Barn capable of accommodating 650 sheep and goats.
  • Importation of 104 breeding stocks, including Dorper, Black Belly, Katahdin, Nubian, and Boer, resulting in 731 offspring of improved genetic quality sold to Belizean farmers.

Capacity Building and Training:

  • A robust training program has been implemented, with 400 sheep and goat farmers benefiting from more than 32 workshops covering topics such as feeding management, sheep husbandry, and pasture establishment.
  • Additionally, more than 12 lamb culinary craft workshops received rave reviews, showcasing a holistic approach to supporting farmers and enhancing the industry.

Current Sheep Population and Future Plans:

  • As of 2022, Belize boasts a sheep population of approximately 17,264, cared for by 474 sheep farmers—a remarkable increase attributed to the Taiwanese Government’s intervention.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture is gearing up for the next phase, submitting a project concept to ICDF Taiwan, focusing on marketing, value addition, and continuous capacity building for farmers.

Global Competitiveness and Traceability System:

  • Emphasis is placed on establishing a functional traceability system to enhance global competitiveness and fetch better prices for sheep and goat products.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture is determined to move the sheep and goat industry further down the value chain, ensuring sustainability and profitability.

Acknowledgments:

  • Warm appreciation is extended to the Republic of China Taiwan and the technical staff of ICDF and the Ministry of Agriculture for their dedication.

Join us in celebrating the achievements, progress, and promising future of Belize’s sheep and goat sector—a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to agricultural excellence.