The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise in collaboration with the Taiwan ICDF Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project (Sheep Project Phase II) held a “Sheep Management Field Day” at the farm of Mr. Leovijildo Wicab in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, on April 22, 2022.
The event had the participation of 25 sheep and goat farmers, extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the project manager and specialist from the Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize as well as other interested parties from both the Orange Walk and Corozal districts. The field day included demonstrations in forage cutting, supplemental feeding, sheep barn, record keeping, animal husbandry and mutton dishes serving.
An experienced sheep farmer, Mr. Wicab demonstrated his daily farm management activities, which fulfils an objective of the project that involves farmers teaching farmers.
The Sheep Project Phase II includes a US$3 million budget for the four-year implementation that was signed by the governments of Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) in March 2020. The objectives include, among others, to continue to assist Belizean farmers to further improve the quality of their sheep and goats, to conduct a market study and value chain analysis to promote consumption and market penetration for sheep and goat products, and to strengthen the sheep and goat traceability system to improve value chain efficiencies.
Оn Dау Тwо, thе рrеѕеntаtіоnѕ was carried on bу thе раrtnеrѕ іn dеvеlорmеnt which included thе Реѕtісіdеѕ Соntrоl Воаrd, ВАНА, thе Ѕugаr Іnduѕtrу Rеѕеаrсh аnd Dеvеlорmеnt Іnѕtіtutе, Rеѕіlіеnt Rurаl Веlіzе, thе Веlіzе Lіvеѕtосk Рrоduсеrѕ Аѕѕосіаtіоn, thе Dіrесtоrаtе fоr Іntеrnаtіоnаl Тrаdе, DFС, Веltrаіdе, аnd thе Саrіbbеаn Аgrісulturе Rеѕеаrсh аnd Dеvеlорmеnt Іnѕtіtutе followed bу thе Fооd аnd Аgrісulturе Оrgаnіzаtіоn, thе Іntеr-Аmеrісаn Іnѕtіtutе fоr Аgrісulturе Соореrаtіоn оn Аgrісulturе, ОІRЅА, the Free Zone, аnd thе Yа’ахсhé Соnѕеrvаtіоn Тruѕt.
A ribbon cutting and Ground Breaking Ceremony was held today in Spanish Lookout. The first event was held at Western Dairies compound for the ribbon cutting of the company’s new Ultra High Temperature Processing Facility. Present for the ceremony are PM John Briceño, Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai and Area Rep Orlando Habet as well as members of the Spanish Lookout community.
National Agriculture and Trade Show 2022
The National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise hereby informs the general public that the National Agriculture and Trade Show 2022 will be held on May 27, 28, and 29, 2022 under the theme “Innovations in technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector”.
Preparation of the grounds is currently under way and the committee advises that the reservation and sale of concession stands, food stalls, and commercial booths has commenced. Right of first refusal will be granted to 2019 lease holders and as such those vendors will have until April 8, 2022, to confirm their desire to re-establish their booth leases by contacting NATS Headquarters. This preference exists EXCEPT where there was a reconfiguration of the grounds and/or removal of booths, in which case that space is no longer available for rental.
Effective Monday, April 11, 2022, potential new vendors, or those wishing to relocate to a new location will be invited to do so by visiting the National Agriculture and Trade Show Headquarters located on the showgrounds to view available spaces and complete the necessary transactions, if so desired. During the grace period granted to existing leases holders, new vendors may contact NATS headquarters to register their interest in spaces that may become available.
Vendors with down payments will have until May 13, 2022, to complete their payments after which that deposit becomes non-refundable.
For more information, please contact:
Gary Ramirez -Chairman NATS Committee
National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Headquarters
NATS Grounds
Belmopan, Cayo District
Telephone: 822-2648 or 623-0606
Email: nats@agriculture.gov.bz