Orange Walk Beekeepers Officially Registered

On May 13th 2022, the Orange Walk Beekeepers Co-operative Society Limited, were today officially registered in a ceremony at Central Park in Orange Walk Town.
The group has been a pre-co-op for a while and saw their dream of being an official co-operative and being able to benefit from all the advantages of working together come true this morning.
On hand to witness were the Registrar of Cooperatives Gareth Murillo, Mayor of Orange Walk Ladrick Sheppard and CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security & Enterprise Servulo Baeza, as well as many other supporters.
Accepting the new co-op’s registration certificate was Ms. Ileana Ayuso on behalf of the other members.
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Guatemalan Delegation on a Technical visit to Belize

On May 12th 2022, the Guatemalan Vice Minister of Agriculture for the Peten Department Ingeniero Elmer Oliva Pacheco were on a 2 day technical visit to Belize upon an invitation from the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai.
The Vice Minister was accompanied by Ing. Juan Carlos Barquin, Chief Agriculture Officer for Peten, and Ing. Maynor Arevalo Dubon, Director for Agricultural Development for Peten.
The purpose of the visit was for the delegation to establish linkages between both Ministries for future cooperation since Belize and Peten share similar geographic conditions, similar crops and population profiles.
During there visit the Ministry of Agriculture had the opportunity to present on the programs and projects the Ministry has been working on, as well discuss cooperation between both Agriculture Ministries. On the second day the delegation toured the Central Farm Agriculture Station.

Mexican President Announces zero tariffs for Belize Agriculture Products

On the 7th of May 2022, the Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador visited Belize and announced to the nation that all Belizean Agriculture products, including cattle will be allowed to enter Mexico free of tariffs.

This has been one of the greatest moments in the history for both nations which the government of Belize had been seeking, especially for the reduction of tariffs for cattle. A heartfelt thankyou goes out to Minister Courtenay and his team for achieving an acceptable Trade Agreement that would benefit our producers. This announcement on the zero tariffs on agriculture products will radically change the future of agriculture in our nation.

On behalf of the farmers and people of Belize, the Minister of Agriculture thanks President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and the government of Mexico for granting such opportunity.

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Departments of Agriculture

District Offices

In order to facilitate and provide better assistance to farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise has a department of agriculture situated in each district. These departments are being headed by the Chief Agricultural Officer. In each department, there are five programs lead by a coordinator at the national level. The coordinator’s duties are to manage and ensure all activities are being implemented through its field officers.

Goal

To continue to provide relevant technical assistance to farmers in the Districts.

Mission

The mission is to facilitate the development of knowledge and understanding generated not only through traditional research, but also knowledge and technical know-how developed through experiences that will enhance agriculture and the quality of life of rural communities

Background

The Agricultural Department is considered the primary provider of the extension agricultural extension service which was introduced in Belize in the 1920s. The main goal of the department is to train and build capacity among agricultural producers, women, and youth of the rural areas of Belize. The focus is to enable producers to organize themselves, form exchange groups, consolidate agro-commercial businesses, and develop strategic alliances with other social groups to meet the challenges of market competition and scarce natural resources.

Objectives are:

  • Strengthening the agricultural initiatives through community organization and increase the efficiency of agriculture production so that the farmers can have better returns.
  • Facilitate the development of proposals, strategic alliances, and new organizations. At the same time, facilitate the interchange of experiences, knowledge, and information that will strengthen the capacity of rural stakeholders to develop new proposals and organization.
  • Increase the efficiency of agricultural production so that the farmers can reap the highest returns from efforts.
  • Promote individual and group skills to decide over non-renewable resource issues.
  • Implement programs that improve the efficiency of marketing and the use of farm produce.
  • Promote the best use and conservation of natural, human, social, and economic resources of Belize.
  • Train and build capacity among rural families to effect adequate adjustments to address the needs of their socio-economic conditions.
  • Facilitate the development of information systems and capacity building that will enable producers to stay informed with technical information about markets and agricultural policies that can affect them.
  • Establish a long-term educational process in consultation with community leaders and stakeholders to address problems, needs and seek solutions through activities that promote the best use and conservation of natural, human, social, and economic resources that will lead to a better quality of life.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Advise farmers on the techniques and technology used in agricultural production. This includes inter alia; introducing new varieties of crops and efficient crop husbandry, proper use of fertilizers and other agrochemicals, post-harvest/handling of crops, livestock husbandry, and related farming activities.
  • Promote a commodity or commodities to farmers
  • Organize and conduct training for farmers through farm visits, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, field trips, and meetings using a participatory approach.
  • Work with marketing, credit, research, and regulatory institutions to incorporate them in the agriculture production system.
  • Collect and provide statistical data pertaining to crops, livestock, and agro-processing.
  • Assist with the promotion of school gardening and related agriculture education programs

The Districts contacts are as follows:

Cayo District Agriculture Office: 804-2079

District Agriculture Coordinator:
Acting DAC Mr. Jonathan Can: jonathan.can@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:
Mr. Amir Pulido: extofficer.bmp@agriculture.gov.bz

Ms. Bernie Cob: bernadette.cob@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Jesse Madrid: jesse.madrid@agriculture.gov.bz

Melissa Balan: melissa.balan@agriculture.gov.bz

Belize District Agriculture Office #: 205-5087/205-5088

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Acting DAC Mr. Miguel Balan: email: noel.ramos@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Mr. Noel Ramos: Noel.Ramos@Agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Vicente Tuyub: email: vicente.tuyub@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Abimael Puck: Email: abimael.puck@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Andy Che: Email: andy.che@agriculture.gov.bz

Corozal District Agriculture Office #: 402-2297

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Mr. Elsner Campos email: dac.cz@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Mr. Carlos Martinez: carlos.martinez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Emilio Perez: emilio.perez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Moises Perez: moises.perez@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Leonardo Eck: leonardo.eck@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Carlos Martinez: cm056144@gmail.com

Orange Walk District Agriculture Office #: 342-7119

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Acting DAC; Mr. Sergio Hernandez: Email: Sergio.hernandez@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers

Mr. Miguel Huertas:miguel.huertas@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Carlos Tzul: Carlos.Tzul@agriculture.gov.bz

Mr. Federico Chi: Federico.Chi@agriculture.gov.bz

Orange Walk Station Manager

Mr. Francisco Xiu: Email: francisco.xiu@agriculture.gov.bz

Stann Creek District Agriculture Office #: 502-2514

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Fred Roches: dacstanncreek@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Heidy Cob: heidy.cob@agriculture.gov.bz

Densford Mangar: densford.mangar@agriculture.gov.bz

Marvin Blades: extofficer.sc1@agriculture.gov.bz

Toledo District Agriculture Office #: 702-2689

District Agriculture Coordinator:

Justaquio Tush: justaquio.tush@agriculture.gov.bz

Extension Officers:

Victor Kuk: victor.kuk@agriculture.gov.bz

Andrew Che: andrew.che@agriculture.gov.bz

Andre Logan: andre.logan@agriculture.gov.bz

Adrian Mendoza: extofficer.to1@agriculture.gov.bz

 

Location of District Agriculture Offices in Belize

Red kidney Bean Producers Meeting

On the 3rd of May 2022, The Ministry of Agriculture host a meeting with Red kidney bean Producers’  at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds Conference room.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss red kidney bean production statistics and the potential for the export market, especially for any excess red kidney beans supply after local market demand has been fulfilled. Belize consumes up to 3 million pounds of RK beans annually.
Attending the meeting were producer groups from around the country, especially the Mennonite communities in Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo Districts, and personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Training for Orange Walk Beekeepers on Finances and Record keeping

On May 3rd, 2022 the Orange Walk Co-operatives Department hosted a one-day training session for the Orange Walk Beekeepers. The event was hosted at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station in the Orange Walk District.
The training, which focused on finances and record keeping, was facilitated by Inspector of Cooperative Records Mr. Hector Torres.
The Orange Walk Beekeepers were formed in 2016 and is made up of 25 active members. This workshop is the last training session being hosted for the group, which now will qualify to be registered as a new Cooperative.

Animal Health Week

On April 30, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture declared the first unified Animal Health Week. The event which is celebrated  from Saturday April 30 to Friday May 6, 2022 was declared open by Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, who pointed out the importance of vets to agriculture in the improving economy.
He also emphasized improving relationships between the Ministry and vets. The short ceremony declaring the week open was held at the Animal Medical Center in Belize City.

Training on Grafting Techniques

On April 28, 2022 the Ministry of Agriculture hosted a technical training on grafting techniques to 30 farmers from the Northern Sugarcane Growers’ Association.
The purpose of the training was to impart basic knowledge and develop skills about propagating different types of plants by budding and grafting. As well provide basic knowledge about tools and equipment’s and growing structures used in nursery for plant production and entrepreneurial skills of plant propagation as a means of income diversification.
Grafting is an art that becomes more successful with practices and therefore, this workshop has given hands-on instruction on grafting techniques. The session  covered information of the benefits of grafting, root stock choice and scion wood selection and collection as well demonstration of grafting techniques used in fruit tree propagation.

Exchange Visit

April 28, 2022, the Resilient Rural Belize, and both the Department of Co-operatives and Extension Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, organized and coordinated an exchange visit of two farmer groups from the Corozal District to the Cayo District.
The Northern Sustainable Agro Producers Group of Xaibe Village and Concepcion Farmers Group of Concepcion Village visited Maya Green Growers Co-operative and SAYAB Farmers Group, both of San Antonio Village, Cayo.
The purpose of the visit was for the farmer enterprises to exchange experiences and discuss best practices; as well facilitate introspective review of organization development and administration; by open communication, coordination, collaboration, and partnership channels; and stimulating discussion on gap analysis.
The visit also included stops at Lower Barton Creek and Central Farm.

Value Chain and Market Assessment Validation Workshop

27th, April 2022,
The Ministry of Agriculture Policy Unit along with Technical Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cooperative Department are currently attending a one day Value Chain and Market Assessment Validation Workshop for eight commodities, (sweet pepper, tomatoes, onion, cabbage, hot pepper, carrots, pineapple and honey and honey by-products) at the University of Belize Central Farm conference room.
The objective of the planned workshop is to review and validate the information provided by key actors in the value chain as well as to identify and prioritize potential value chain production, processing, and marketing efficiency improvements benefiting smallholders, women, youth, and other actors along the value chain.
This workshop is facilitated by the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) Programme in collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE).
CATIE is a regional center situated in Costa Rica that dedicates to research and graduate education in agriculture, and the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Its members include Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the State of Acre in Brazil.