Farmers in La Gracia fears thousands of carrots may rot

Imported carrots

By BBN Staff: Farmers in La Gracia village, Cayo fear that thousands of sacks of carrots may rot due to importation of Mexican carrots into the Belizean market.

It is a familiar story since in 2017, BBN broke the story of the potato crisis that farmers were facing due to the massive importation of potato.

Today, farmers of the village shared their frustration on this on-going issue.

The village is made up of hard-working farmers who cultivate the land by planting potatoes, carrots, beans, and corn. Farming is a family business at this community and the only source of income for most families.

One of the farmers told us that his losses amount to over $15,000 or about 20,000 pounds of carrots that are getting rotten.

The farmers estimate a total investment of over $50,000 in their farms to harvest the local produce.

The farmers say that they are once again faced with the risk of having the carrots rot at their farms.

“ We have a family to feed, bills to pay and we cannot meet those payments if we cannot sell our produce. I estimate a total loss already of over $15,000. There are a few farmers that can still make something but that will be if something is done about it now. We already informed BAHA of this situation about 3 weeks ago and nothing was done. I think that the imported Mexican carrots is being crossed at the Northern border,” a farmer explained.

In addition, the farmers are seeking the assistance of the public in buying locally made produce to support local farmers.

They are now making a plea to the Minister of Agriculture to do something about this situation because they cannot afford to lose all that they have invested.

Carrot farms in La Gracia, Cayo

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