Agriculture Ministry meets with potato producers, seed importers to discuss way forward following low potato production

Published by BBNTEAM at January 26, 2022

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Posted: Wednesday, January 26, 2022. 6:03 pm CST.

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise on Wednesday met with potato producers and seed importers at the Agriculture Trade Showgrounds in Belmopan to discuss the way forward following a low potato production due to exorbitant seed spoilage.

MAFSE expected a bumper crop, but the plan went wayward even before planting.

“Potato plants are grown from seed potatoes, small whole potatoes, or large potatoes cut in pieces. Last year a total of 435,300 lbs of seeds were imported for production. This quantity indicated that there was going to be a bumper crop of potatoes this year,” said MASFE in a social media post.

“Unfortunately, this did not take place. Farmers started experiencing seed spoilage even before the date of planting. The total percentage loss was 45%.”

MAFSE said Wednesday’s meeting was convened to avoid a repeat of such a situation.

“When production estimates are not on target, everyone is affected, from farmers who will not harvest as predicted, to consumers who will be unable to obtain the commodity, to Agric officials who have to adjust their crop production estimates and figures,” concluded MAFSE.

Personnel from the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture were present at the meeting.

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