Ministry of Agriculture building 30 greenhouses financed by Caricom Development Fund

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) today conducted a media briefing in which it showed one of 30 greenhouses financed by the Caricom Development Fund that it is building around the country.

The Government of Belize Covered Structure project was exhibited at Julia Moh’s farm in Yo Creek, Orange Walk.

Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai was accompanied by Ministry of Agriculture technical personnel, including Project Director Novelo, the Horticulture Department staff that sets up the structures, and beneficiaries from Corozal and Orange Walk.

MAFSE said the Horticulture crew under Harold Wesby has been rather busy constructing the greenhouses all over the country as part of the Caricom Development Project ‘Covered Structures Project’.

“The project beneficiaries include small farmers, women farmers, and youth. They receive an 18×60 structure and training as part of the project,” said MAFSE.

“The project attempts to target women, disadvantaged youths, and small-scale vegetable producers. People who are getting them are people that have proof that they are doing something. They receive an 18×60 structure and training as part of the project,” said MAFSE Communications Director Luis Pook.

“Use of the covered structures helps with minimizing climate change factors, enhances productivity while protecting from pests. It also is in line with Plan Belize targets for agriculture of reducing imports and growing what we eat.”

Pook said the covered structures in Corozal have been built, those in Orange Walk are now being completed, and from there the Horticulture Unit will move to the other districts.

Pook added that the Caricom Development Fund project has a value of US $200,000. The covered structures which have a value of about $10,000 are given as grants to the farmers.

“The Government is eager to implement projects of this type that are going to benefit the farmers, that are going to improve their livelihoods, that is going to ensure that they have enhanced security and particularly that women and disadvantaged youths of rural areas have a chance to do something for themselves,” stated Pook.

“Part of the project also involves training the farmers to use the greenhouses properly, how to arrange their seeds, how to plant their seeds, what care to give them, and so on. And if they need help with irrigation and so on, similarly we’re going to train them as well,” noted Pook.

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