Minister Jose Abelardo Mai assumes the pro tempore presidency of the CAC

Hon. José Abelardo Mai assume the pro tempore presidency of the CAC
The Ministers of Agriculture of the SICA Region have held their last session of the year to make a comprehensive assessment of the actions carried out in the agricultural sector. The session also covered the progress of projects in the region, and approval of the agenda and priorities for the year 2023.
The Central American Agricultural Council (CAC) thanked Mr. Limber Cruz, Minister of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, who in the last semester was in charge of the pro tempore presidency of the CAC and wished the best success to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise Belize, Hon. José Abelardo Mai, who will assume the pro tempore presidency.

Fusarium Tropical Race 4

Fusarium Tropical Race 4 Training

Six professionals from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, participated in training from December 05 to 09, 2022 on Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4 fungus affecting bananas, also called banana wilt), at the Manuel Mejia Foundation in Pereira, Colombia.

The training was sponsored by the Fusarium Prevention Project between the Taiwan ICDF and OIRSA. The training focused on the biosecurity plan before, during and after an outbreak of TR4, the need for a robust contingency plan to manage the disease and the use of satellite imagery to assist in field surveillance.

A panel of experts consisting of research institutions, public and private sector stakeholders and the NPPO provided the training. The contingent returned to Belize with a better understanding of how serious this threat is to the region including Belize, and how to implement prevention strategies to keep Belize free from this devastating disease of banana and plantains. All biosecurity measures were taken by the participants while in Colombia.

Official signing ceremony for Matching Grant Funds Agreements

Official signing ceremonies for Matching Grant Funds Agreements
Resilient Rural Belize today held an official signing ceremony for Matching Grant Funds Agreements with Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited, Northern Sustainable Agro-Producers Co-operative Society Limited, and Seven Miles Farmers’ Association.
The two formers are from the Corozal District while the latter is from the Cayo district. RRB mentioned that they have completed a full six-month program articulating development and business plans and today marks the culmination of that work. The quantum of funding approved for the three beneficiary producer organizations is BZ$ 620,000.00.
Present at the signing ceremonies were Dr. Geraldo Flowers, Program Manager of RRB, CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment, Dr. Osmond Martinez, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, Hon. Ramiro Ramirez, who all signed on behalf of the Government of Belize.
During the signing ceremonies Dr. Martinez implored the beneficiaries of the project to work hard and communicate effectively to ensure that the projects be sustainable. Hon. Ramiro Ramirez highlighted the issue of climate change, reiterating that these types of projects will be replicated in the years to come and pledged government’s commitment to continue supporting the agriculture sector.

Guatemalan experts share knowledge on tropical varieties of seeds

Guatemalan experts share knowledge on tropical varieties of seeds
Guatemalan experts Ing. Antonio Freire, consultant and general manager of J. Diez S.A., a Guatemalan company specializing in seeds, and Ing. Efrain Hernandez, horticulture expert of the same company, were present today in Central Farm to share expertise on the tropical varieties being tested for adaptability in Peten under similar agroclimatic conditions as Belize.
They expounded on the importance of the added advantage of utilizing seeds bred specifically for tropical conditions. Ing. Freire, whose specialization is in soils, also shared his experience with sustainable management of soil fertility, particularly, making informed decisions for nutrient management based on soil analysis and preserving and building soil organic matter.
This visit follows several exchanges between officials from the Peten agriculture department of Guatemala, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise of Belize, as both countries continue bilateral relations to share experience, knowledge and expertise in areas of interest in agriculture.

Training for Technical Officers on Technical Advice for the Management of a Coconut Tree Module using INIFAP Technology

30th November 2022:
A two-day training is being hosted for Technical Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, CARDI and Coconut Farmers on Technical Advice for the management of a coconut tree Module using INIFAP Technology. The training is being hosted in Chetumal, Quintana Roo from the 28th to the 30th of November 2022.
This training is being facilitated through the Memorandum of Cooperation in Research Agriculture between the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research of Mexico (INIFAP) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The objective of this training is to train and advise technicians and farmers in the management and application of technological components of coconut trees generated by INIFAP. This training is a follow up of a virtual training course held weeks ago by INIFAP, which focused on the phytosanitary problems of the coconut palm.

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority invites applications from suitably qualified
candidates to fill the following position:
Technical Director, Animal Health

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority invites applications from suitably qualified
candidates to fill the following position:
Technical Director, Animal Health
Minimum qualification and skills:
1. A Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine and surgery, and be a registered veterinary surgeon
in Belize (DVM) with three (3) years management experience; OR
2. A Master’s Degree in the field of Animal Health/Science with five (5) years management
experience; OR
3. A first degree in veterinary medicine and surgery, and be a registered veterinary surgeon in
Belize (DVM) with eight (8) years management experience;
4. Computer literate particularly in Microsoft word, Power Point and knowledge of other
programs and software will be an asset;
5. Excellent public relations;
6. Experience working in Animal Health in the agriculture industry;
7. Good understanding of Animal Health regulations would be an asset.
Competencies:
1. Good management skills;
2. Strong professional work ethics;
3. Strong public relations, inter-personal and communication skills;
4. Fluent in written and spoken English and working knowledge of Spanish;
5. Highly motivated team player who takes initiative;
6. Strong leadership and negotiating skills;
7. Successful experience in policy development and implementation;
8. Valid class “A” driver’s license.
The Technical Director of the Animal Health Department will be responsible for the administrative,
managerial and technical functions of the Department in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Salary: BAHA Pay Scale 23: $35,460.84 x 1,433.76 – $62,702.28
Station of Duty: Central Farm, Cayo District.
Interested persons may submit letter of application, résumé, proof of qualification, official transcript
and two recent reference letters (within six months from application date) and a valid police record,
no later than Tuesday, December 6, 2022 to:
Human Resource Director
Belize Agricultural Health Authority
P.O. Box 169, Cor. Hummingbird Hwy. & Forest Dr., Belmopan, Belize
Phone: 501-8220197, Fax: 501-8220271, e-mail: baha@btl.net, website: www.baha.org.bz

Covered Structure Handing Over

November 25, 2022:
A handing over ceremony was held today at Patchakan Village, Corozal, as a covered structure was handed over to the Patchakan Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited.
The covered structure is part the Small Grants Programme administered by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multilateral environmental fund that provides grants and blended finance for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, sustainable forest management, food security, and sustainable cities in developing countries. It is the largest source of multilateral funding for biodiversity globally and distributes more than $1 billion a year on average to address inter-related environmental challenges.
GEF works in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, represented at the ceremony by CEO Servulo Baeza. Guest speaker for the ceremony was Mr. Leonel Requena, National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Program in Belize. Also present were Mrs. Michelle Longsworth, Acting Managing Director of the Belize Enterprise for Sustained Technology, Mr. Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Co-operatives, and members of the co-operative.
There was also an exchange visit with other farmers coming from Santa Familia GVL, Frutas Tradicionales Bromelia, and Western Mopan Farmers of Cayo, Santa Cruz Women’s Co-operative of Orange Walk, and Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-op of Corozal. A training program on covered structure management was also given by the Extension Service, Corozal.

Signing of the Country Programming Framework 2022 to 2026

November 24, 2022:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise in collaboration with the Food & Agriculture Organization signed today the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022 – 2026.
This strategic document presents the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) key areas of technical cooperation, and medium-term country-level programming in support of the Government of Belize. The document was developed within the framework of the United Nations programming processes, including the UN-Common Country Analysis and the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Caribbean and the global Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The CPF also reflects on the country’s Plan Belize, and COVID-19 Economy Recovery Strategy along with other national and strategic documents related to agriculture, food and nutritional security and rural development. The CPF 2022 – 2026 sets out the lines of cooperation that FAO will provide over the next four years and is aimed at advancing Belize’s national development priorities with in three strategic areas of work.
These strategic areas include:
i. inclusive food systems for eradication of malnutrition and food insecurity towards providing healthy diets for all
ii. sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems and agricultural value chains to achieve prosperous and inclusive rural societies
iii. and resilience to climate and economic shocks through sustainable natural resources management.
The intended changes will be realized by strengthening the capacity of government stakeholders such as extension officers to support farmers to supply local markets and social protection programs such as the school feeding program. The focus will be placed on developing and implementing policy frameworks and accountability mechanisms to enable access by all to safe and nutritious foods, end hunger and all forms of malnutrition as well as Improving institutional capacities to enhance nutrition awareness to reduce the incidence of Non communicable diseases.
The Strategic Areas of Work as identified in CPF 2022 – 2026 will benefit from best practices developed by FAO at the national and regional levels as well as international technical standards promoted by FAO in its member countries. FAO will maximize its comparative advantage, leverage synergies, and increase effectiveness in collaboration with other United Nations agencies.
Present at the signing was Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, FAO Representative for Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Belize Dr. Crispim Morreira, Birgit Gerstenberg UN Resident Coordinator in Belize, Tracey Hutchinson Strategic Planning officer and the Republic of El Salvador, and other Senior Agricultural staff.

Implementation of the School Feeding Program for the Guinea Grass Roman Catholic School

November 23, 2022:
Today the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jose Mai, along with the FAO Representative for Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Belize, Dr. Crispin Moreira and Chief Education Officer Ms. Yolanda Gongora visited the Guinea Grass Roman Catholic School to get a firsthand look at the feeding program implemented in the school.
This feeding program comes through the collaboration of the Governments of Belize and Mexico and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as part of a program where 488 primary school students are receiving a free, healthy meal daily.
As a part of the initiative, six schools in Belize received infrastructure upgrades to existing kitchens or conversion of spaces into kitchens and outfitting with new appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and utensils like pans, pots, serving tools and baking materials. In addition, the Ministry of Education is providing ongoing funding for the purchasing of provisions for the feeding program. Schools benefiting from these upgrades include Biscayne Government School, Chan Chen Government School, Guinea Grass RC, Lucky Strike Government School, Santa Martha Government School and San Joaquin RC.
Present at the visit was also Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Victoriano Pascual; National School Feeding Project Coordinator Mrs. Kathleen Juan, and other technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Launching of the two Technical Cooperation Projects

November 21, 2022:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise in collaboration with the Food & Agriculture Organization today launched two Technical Cooperation Projects.
The first project focuses on the Belize Agriculture Sector Policy with emphasis on Seeds, Backyard Poultry, Marketing and Indigenous Territories. The purpose of this project is to improve the livelihood of rural farmers and indigenous people through the adoption of an enhanced governance and policy framework enabling diversification through regional trade.
The second project will focus on the Digital Agriculture Services for a Sustainable & Inclusive Agri-food System and Value Chain. The purpose of this project is for sustainable, efficient and inclusive agri-food systems and agricultural value chains to achieve prosperous rural societies.
Present at the launching was Minister Hon. Jose Mai, FAO Representative for Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize Dr. Crispim Morreira, Chief Executive Officer Servulo Baeza, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Victoriano Pascual and other Senior Agricultural staff.