Japan to Aid Belizean Farmers

Belize and Japan will be cooperating on agricultural projects in the coming year. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Jose Abelardo Mai, signed a memorandum, of understanding this week with the coordinator of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Michiyo Hashiguchi, for the Development of Agriculture Cooperatives and the Improvement of Management Capacity. The aim of the project is to increase onion and potato productivity and quality and extend storage capacity after harvest.  Almost two hundred thousand dollars in funding will be put towards the initiative which includes cold storage units for farmers in the Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize and Cayo districts and training for farmers. Present at the event were personnel from the ministry and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute.