Another issue that was discussed and recommendations put forward for the region to monitor is a soil fungi that devastates crops like bananas, plantains and related species. The fungi called the Fusarium T.R.-Four can wipe out fields and can remain active in soils for more than twenty years. Back in the eighties it was detected […]
Agricultural health and food safety in the Caribbean were the focus of discussions today at the series of CARICOM meetings taking place at the Biltmore in Belize City. Today’s session was the thirteenth meeting of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency, CAHFSA. The work of that agency entails […]
The spread of Sargassum has affected numerous countries in the region where tourism is a primary industry. In the margins of the ongoing CARICOM meetings, we got an update on how the beaches of the Caribbean are being impacted by the seaweed that is washing up on the beaches. C.R.F.M’s Executive Director, Milton Haughton, told […]
Two weeks ago the government declared a state of emergency in several areas of the country as a result of the prolonged drought that has impacted the agricultural sector. Government committed to assisting farmers and we will have an update on that initiative ahead but first, we take a look at how the drought is […]
The sugar industry is not the only one that has been hit by the prolonged drought, which, according to the experts is the longest in Belize since the seventies. Consequently, government declared a state of emergency after estimates put losses of produce in excess of fifty million dollars and committed to assist farmers. The assistance […]
Agriculture officials from CARICOM member states are meeting this week in Belize to discuss and get consensus on matters they want to advance. The meetings began since Monday and today, CARICOM sugar stakeholders met to address the matter of selling sugar, primarily plantation white sugar, on the CARICOM Market. Director of the Belize Sugar Industry […]
A.S.R.’s McLachlan says that they have had very constructive meetings with major industrial users of sugar in CARICOM, and selling Belize sugar looks promising. But, an effective regulatory approach is necessary to proceed. Mac McLachlan, Director, B.S.I. “The issue comes down, is it possible to use sugars produced in the CARICOM in industrial process? […]
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, CRFM, held a joint meeting between ministers responsible for fisheries and aquaculture, CARICOM countries and country representatives of OSPESCA, a fisheries organisation in Central America. Milton Haughton, Executive Director of the CRFM, says they are aiming to address a series of issues that affect the region. Milton Haughton, Executive […]
The production of hemp is under consideration in a number of Caribbean countries due to its economic potentials. It is one of the more interesting topics on the agenda of an ongoing CARICOM meeting which is looking at the exploration of the business of cannabis and hemp production in the region. Now, for years, the […]
The paper presentation will also look at the implications as it relates to food security since countries may embark on converting land traditional used for food production to cultivate cannabis and hemp. Shaun Baugh says that the forum is sharing information on all aspects so that countries can decide collectively if this is the way […]
As you heard, a week of working sessions, including ministerial discussions and stakeholder engagement in respect of agriculture in the region, is taking place in Belize at the Biltmore Plaza. Organized by the CARICOM Secretariat, a total of seven meetings are ongoing on a variety of issues relating to the Regional Agricultural Planners’ Forum, the […]
Back to the regional meetings, members of the ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism met today at the Biltmore Plaza. C.R.F.M. is discussing a cadre of issues affecting the multimillion-dollar industry, which Executive Director Milton Haughton says continues to thrive, despite many constraints. Top on the agenda is the unabated and disruptive illegal, […]
But where is the region in terms of accessing markets for its fishery products? Trade in fish and seafood is one of the largest areas of agriculture commodity globally; over one hundred and fifty billion dollars of fish and seafood is traded internationally. The region has been exporting to markets across the world including the […]
As much as fifty million dollars have been lost in produce by farmers due to drought. Sugar, corn and the livestock industries have taken a huge blow and production of primary products is expected to decline thus affecting the bottom line of farmers. On Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture painted a grim picture of the […]
The government has sought financial assistance from the World Bank to build climate resilient infrastructure, including roads and bridges, across the country. The initiative precedes the existing drought; however, the need for public services and systems designed to withstand extreme weather conditions is apparent. During his presentation on Thursday at a press conference, Prime Minister […]
Insurance in the agriculture sector is uncommon as it is considered a risky undertaking for any institution providing financial protection against loss or harm. Notwithstanding the chances of loss to the insurer, the World Bank is looking at the likelihood of creating a policy for Belizean farmers. Prime Minister Barrow provided details of a meeting […]
At a very lengthy press conference that went through the lunch hour today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that a state of emergency is to be declared in parts of the country due to the prolonged drought that is impacting the agriculture and other sectors. This has become necessary to access funding to assist affected […]
While this is not the first occasion that drought has affected the agricultural sector, it is certainly the worse. The government’s plan to work with Central Bank and local banks to offer financial relief to farmers and by extension six thousand families spread across twenty-three communities is welcomed by Opposition Leader, John Briceño. Briceño; however, […]
In July, News Five reported on the constant decline in production in the citrus industry. Several factors such as a citrus disease and less investment influenced the decline and tonight drought is added to the list of factors. A drought which has been hovering over Belize for many weeks has caused financial and agricultural instability to parts […]
The Inter-American Development Bank has hailed Belize’s shrimp as the most ethical and sustainable. According to the I.D.B., Belize has taken the lead in producing socially and environmentally responsible shrimp. Over the years, shrimp companies created a high-quality industry that catered mainly to the export market. Belize’s main client was neighbouring Mexico, which buys shrimp […]
A loan agreement to finalize the approval of a six million dollar credit line and two grants amount to six hundred thousand dollars under the CARICOM Development Fund’s Second Cycle Country Assistance Programme was signed on Thursday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Belize City. The line of credit which will be managed by the […]
The deadly drought in northern Belize is crippling farmers and by extension certain sectors of the agriculture industry. Corn farmers and soybeans producers in Blue Creek Village in the Orange Walk District are feeling the financial pinch; they stand to lose over two million Belize dollars. Farmers who would usually harvest hundreds of acres of […]
According to C.E.O. Jose Alpuche, not much can be done to assist farmers who have lost their investment in their corn plantations. He says that after the assessment, farmers will be identified and assistance will be facilitated through their lending institution. On the Phone: Jose Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Agriculture “Unfortunately those that have […]
Data collected from the National Meteorological Service of Belize confirms a short-term drought developing over the Corozal, Orange Walk and northern Belize Districts. This drought is gravely affecting the farmers across the districts and causing great financial loss. The below-average rainfall, however, was predicted by the Met Service and the affected areas are under a […]
As changes in weather patterns rise due to climate change, a drought is wrecking havoc in agricultural fields in northern Belize. Earlier today, the Meteorological office issued a drought warning advising farmers of the ire situation. In the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts the effects of the drought are evident as waters recede. Farmers collectively […]
