Productive Sector Rebounds

Agriculture production contributed to a robust expansion of the sector. The resumption of the exportation of livestock to neighboring countries, under the Briceño Administration, bolstered the sector’s revenue, says P.M. Briceño. Poultry and pork production were also strengthened. Increases were realized in lobster and conch production. According to P.M. Briceño, for a ministry that was abandoned under the previous administration, Minister Abelardo Mai and his team brought new life to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Output in the primary sector of the economy expanded robustly. This sector grew by eleven point two percent, with significant contributions from the agriculture and livestock industries, and fisheries to a smaller extent. Agriculture output soured, as banana production rebounded strongly from the wake of Hurricane Nana in 2020, to a new seven year high. Sugar cane deliveries to processors in the North and West reached and all time high with increased investments in new commercial production acreage in the west. Livestock outputs grew as cattle exports to Mexico and Guatemala doubled, after lifting trade sanctions in late 2020. To this day, I still can’t understand why the government back then decided to lock down the export of cattle in our neighboring countries. It made absolutely no sense. They were busy weeping and crying for Belize instead of just rolling up their sleeves and work. The Agricultural sector was abandoned. From Gapi they had as minister, to god-sent Hulse, excuse me, Godwin Hulse, who else they had for agriculture weh know everything, Rene Montero? And, they did nothing, absolutely nothing. In a few months, Abi Mai and his team, they have managed to reverse the persistent decline in a sector that was abandoned and stymied under the previous administration.”