The “Honey Redevelopment Support Project” led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and supported by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is making significant contributions to the beekeeping and honey production industry in Belize. The project has initiated the distribution of 25 bee colonies to new beneficiaries in several districts, including Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize. One of the beneficiaries is the Belize High School of Agriculture.

In mid-November, the project plans to distribute more bee colonies to beneficiaries in the Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo Districts. This demonstrates the project’s commitment to extending its reach and impact. The primary objective of the project is to contribute to the revitalization and development of the honey industry in Belize. Beekeeping and honey production are vital components of this endeavor.

The project is particularly focused on supporting women and young people as beneficiaries. This approach is in line with efforts to empower and involve these demographics in the honey industry. The “Honey Redevelopment Support Project” is a commendable initiative that not only supports the growth of the honey industry but also promotes inclusivity by involving women and young individuals in this sector.

An Internal Auditing training was conducted for 23 public/private sector stakeholders, in Internal Auditing from a “train-the-trainers” perspective regarding the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard.

The objective of this training was to enrich the participants’ understanding of internal auditing, helping them enhance their quality management systems. Quality is highlighted as a continuous journey rather than just a goal. The focus is on maintaining high standards.

The workshop received funding from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CSME (Caribbean Single Market and Economy) Standby Facility program, which is financed by the European Union. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) managed the program, indicating their role in coordinating and overseeing the training.

Continuous improvement and adherence to quality standards are key for the success and sustainability of businesses and public entities.

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, is leading a Belize delegation to the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2023 (CWA) in Nassau, Bahamas, from October 9 to 13. The event is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025.” 

 Minister Mai is accompanied by Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry, and a team from the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC), the marketing arm of the ministry. 

 During the CWA, leaders from across the Caribbean will participate in meetings and forums to discuss ways to mitigate pressing issues in agriculture for the region, focusing on food security. Minister Mai and CEO Baeza will participate in several meetings of regional bodies such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) Board of Governors, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ministers of Agriculture and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Ministerial Board.  

 The Caribbean Week of Agriculture also includes a tradeshow that will feature products and producers from all over the Caribbean region. The BMDC is representing Belizean producers with displays and samples of their products at the tradeshow.  

A training for backyard poultry producers was held at the Yo Creek Agric Station, with the goal of strengthening their capacity to prevent Avian Influenza. The primary objective of this training was to equip backyard poultry producers with knowledge and skills necessary to prevent and control Avian Influenza. This is crucial in safeguarding the poultry industry and bird populations in Belize.

The training sessions were led by a team of experts and professionals who have expertise in poultry management and disease prevention. This includes representatives from the Belize Poultry Association, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Forestry Department, and Extension Officers from the Yo Creek Agriculture Station.

The training was specifically designed for backyard poultry farmers in the Orange Walk District, with around 40 participants attending. A similar session was conducted in Corozal for backyard poultry producers from that area. By targeting these producers, the training aims to reach those who may have smaller-scale operations and may benefit from increased knowledge and awareness.

The training emphasizes the importance of preventing Avian Influenza in Belize. The disease has been detected in some Central American countries, but Belize remains free from it. Avian Influenza can have severe consequences for bird populations, and it is essential to take proactive measures to keep it at bay.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise is working in collaboration with several organizations and agencies, including BAHA, OIRSA (International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health), and the Belize Forestry Department. These partnerships demonstrate a coordinated approach to disease prevention and awareness campaigns.

In addition to the training, the government is actively conducting public awareness campaigns and sensitization efforts to educate both the general public and stakeholders about Avian Influenza. This multi-pronged approach helps ensure that everyone is informed and involved in preventing the disease.

Overall, this training reflect a proactive stance by Belizean authorities to protect the poultry industry and bird populations from Avian Influenza. By building capacity among backyard poultry producers and raising awareness, Belize aims to maintain its Avian Influenza-free status.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE), Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC), and the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) in enhancing the agricultural sector and economic development in Belize.

The MoU signifies a collaborative effort among these key governmental agencies to achieve several important objectives: The MoU aims to facilitate the upgrade of Agrilinks, which is currently in use as a marketing tool. This upgrade will enhance its functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness in promoting agricultural products. The agreement seeks to increase the visibility of Agrilinks. This will make the platform more accessible and known to relevant stakeholders, including farmers, buyers, and consumers.

The collaboration between MAFSE, MED, and BMDC demonstrates inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination in achieving common goals related to agriculture and economic development. Enhancing the agricultural sector through better marketing tools and strategies can contribute to economic development in Belize by increasing agricultural production, revenue, and employment opportunities.

The signing of this MoU represents a positive step toward enhancing the agricultural sector in Belize, with the potential to bring about economic development, better marketing strategies, and improved opportunities for farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

The evaluation meeting for the “Co-operatives Rapid Response Project” funded by GEF-SGP and executed by Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology and the Department of Co-operatives served several crucial purposes:

The primary purpose of the meeting was to assess whether the project achieved its stated objectives and goals. This involves a careful examination of the initial project proposal and comparing it to the actual outcomes to determine if they align.

Another important aspect of the evaluation was to assess how well the project aligned with the priorities and needs of the beneficiary co-operatives. This ensures that the project was responsive to the specific requirements and challenges faced by the co-operatives.

The meeting focused on evaluating the tangible results and outputs of the project which included measures like increased productivity, improved livelihoods for co-operative members, or enhanced co-operative capacity. These concrete outcomes demonstrate the project’s impact on the ground.

The evaluation process was intended to be thorough and impartial. The insights gathered from the evaluation will serve as valuable input for decision-making. The findings will help stakeholders make informed decisions regarding future projects, whether that involves scaling up successful initiatives, addressing weaknesses, or adjusting strategies to better meet the needs of co-operatives.

In essence, the evaluation meeting was a critical step in the project cycle, helping to ensure accountability, transparency, and the effectiveness of the “Co-operatives Rapid Response Project.” It aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the project’s impact and its alignment with the co-operatives’ priorities and needs, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the co-operative sector in Belize.