56 members from four cooperative groups in the Orange Walk District are currently attending a one-day exchange visit with cooperatives from Valley of Peace in the Cayo District.

The exchange visit has been organized as part of an educational program to build organizational capacity through practical experience for all members to get real time learning experiences in developing from a new group into a well-organized co-operative. The exchange visit also seeks to improve the knowledge and practices of all the visiting producer organizations by integrating the experiences gained from the visit into their daily activities and operations.

Resilient Rural Belize facilitated the visit in collaboration with the Cooperatives Department and the Ministry of Agriculture. Participating cooperative member are from the San Carlos New River Farmers’ Co-operative, the Indian Church Farmers Pre-Co-op, San Felipe Maya Golden Honey Group, and the Orange Walk Beekeepers Co-operative.

Members participating will also visit the Central Farm Horticulture Unit and Apiary Station to witness a firsthand look at the different production systems being implemented in both honey and vegetables production.