More Cattle Ranchers than Cane Farmers in Belize

Approximately five thousand, six hundred cattle ranchers are operating across the country. In fact, cattle farmers now outnumber sugar cane farmers. The majority are small farmers whose livelihood depends on the trade. But, as these farmers begin to expand their stock, Abelardo Mai, the Minister of Agriculture says climate change is real and expansion must be done in a sustainable manner.

Jose Mai

Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

“The export of cattle is perfectly in line with Plan Belize and our agriculture policy from farm to the table. The government will do all it can to ensure that we improve and expand the cattle industry in a sustainable manner. We can no longer clear the land, leave it bare for cattle. We have to change our policy because climate change is real. Three out of five years, for the last ten years, farmers have failed. The first year it was drought. The second year they did well, the third, excess rain, the four insects and so on. So climate change is real and while we want to expand it has to be done in a sustainable manner. We must revisit our policy and make those changes if we want to improve the economy and wellbeing of this country.”