Minister of Agriculture Concludes Countrywide Familiarization Tour

On Friday, May 21, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, concluded his national tour of the agriculture sector in the Corozal District.

The tour commenced with a visit to the Quality Shrimp Belize Facility in Estrella, just south of Libertad Village. Minister Mai was taken on a tour of the state-of-the-art facility which produces fresh gourmet-grade shrimp in a reliable and economical indoor, water recycling facility.

The tour then proceeded to Concepcion, where the minister met with members of the Concepcion Farmers Group. The group owns a vegetable farm which produces onions, carrots, tomatoes, cabbages, hot peppers, and watermelons. The farmers also expressed plans to establish a cooperative. Thereafter, the delegation traveled to San Joaquin to visit the Lopez Martinez Dairy Farm. The family-owned dairy farm provides products such as eggs, cheese and milk to local buyers.

The final leg of the tour was a visit to an apiary in Sarteneja. The apiary is owned by the Sarteneja Beekeepers Cooperative, which produces and sells honey under the name, “Pura Miel”. In addition to honey, the beekeepers are venturing into the production of wine. The group also discussed the impact of the small hive beetle on honey production.

Minister Mai was joined by Mr. Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry; Mr. Florencio Marin, Sr., former area representative for Corozal South East; Mr. David Castillo, Jr., standard bearer for Corozal North; as well as technical staff from the ministry and partners in development.