The Ministry of Agriculture hosted an activity on “Behavior of Conventional INIFAP Soybean Varieties in Belize”. The purpose of the event was to share the experience in planting the varieties of soybean being piloted in Belize by INIFAP, the Mexican National Institute for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research. Four pilot plots with different varieties of soybean were planted in San Carlos, Little Belize, Central Farm and at the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute at Buena Vista, Corozal.

The soybean research plots have come about as a collaborative effort on the part of the Mexican Secretaria de Agricultura and the Belize Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, following a bilateral agreement between both governments to work together in different areas. Soybean is the first of several commodities where Mexico and Belize will cooperate in research aimed at benefitting both countries.

The aim of the event was to share information especially with farmers and producers. The event was attended by 30 local farmers and technical staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise. The event was facilitated by Dr. Mirna Hernandez and Mr. Jesus Soto, both INIFAP researchers, and Ms. Ina Sanchez, Manager of the Central Farm Research and Innovation Center.

Another event involving high level officials from both Mexican and Belizean agriculture ministries will take place on 13 October.