Farmers of the year chosen

In connection with the upcoming National Agriculture and Trade Show, the Ministry of Agriculture has named its farmers of the year. This year’s Junior Farmer of the Year is sixteen year old Efrain Cano of Caledonia Village in the Corozal District. He has been doing his own farming for three years, having previously worked with his father. He applies innovative technology in growing crops such as Chinese cabbage, hot pepper, cucumber and cilantro. Efrain farms five acres of land and raises chickens and two head of cattle. The Female Farmer of the Year is Olga Molina of Seven Miles Village in the Cayo District. Molina distinguishes herself because she is one of the leading small farmers who has ventured into adding value to her agricultural products. She uses a simple irrigation system for her vegetable garden, growing potatoes, red kidney beans and peppers, and also raises cattle and pigs. Her products, sold under the brand, Molina’s Hidden Springs, can be found in a number of local supermarkets or obtained wholesale from the Belize Marketing Board. This year’s Senior Farmer of the Year is Baltazar Campos of Louisiana Area in the Orange Walk District. Campos works on forty-one acres of land in the Manposhol area of Carmelita Village. In making the selection, the judges noted that Campos is a widely diversified farmer, growing crops such as hicama, sweet corn, onions and potatoes, as well as rearing livestock such as beef cattle and pigs. Campos’ farm serves as a demonstration model for farmers in the Orange Walk and Corozal District.