Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) assists the Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers Co-operative to improve cabbage crops with biological control agents

Published by BBNTEAM at March 6, 2023

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Posted: Monday, March 6, 2023. 2:17 pm CST.

Photo Credit: RRB

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), Ministry of Economic Development, has been working with the Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers Co-operative to improve their cabbage crop with biological control agents.

RRRB said that as caretakers of the project, and with the assistance of OIRSA, at least three producer organizations have received presentations on the importance of insects as biological control agents (Trichogramma pretosium and Crisoperla carnea) in the production of vegetables.

On March 2, RRB made a presentation focused on the importance of biological control in vegetable production in which most of the Valley of Peace cooperative’s small farmers are involved.

“A few farmers from the Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers Co-operative have used the mentioned biological agents in cabbage production and they have obtained excellent results,” RRB said.

The presentations come after RRB developed a plan to assist farmers from the Valley of Peace cooperative by providing the two biological control agents for the entire cabbage crop cycle.

RRB said the implementation plan began on Thursday, March 2, with the first release of both biological control agents. RRB said six were provided with the first set of the beneficial insects as others are still waiting to transplant their seedlings.

“The implementation program consists of applying the insects every 12 days interval with at least 8 applications during the crop cycle,” RRB said.

“This initiative has the objective to reduce the use of restricted pesticides, reduce the cost of production, and to enhance a healthy product for consumption.”

According to RRB, cabbage seedlings will be transplanted between February and March, mostly in the Laguna area.

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