‘Agric’ – Belize’s biggest agriculture and trade show opens on Friday in Belmopan

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS), know simply as ‘Agric’ to many Belizeans, is the biggest agriculture and trade show in the country. At this point, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE)’s National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee is doing their final preparations for the show that will be officially open at 3:00 pm on Friday, though the main days are Saturday and Sunday.

National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee is doing tfinal preparations for ‘Agric’. (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

Farmers and farming-related businesses all congregate at the Agric Show Grounds in Belmopan, next to Roaring Creek, for the weekend attracting thousands of visitors looking for a good bargain, good food, and expecting to meet friends or make new ones. Last year, over 29,000 people flocked to ‘Agric’.

Apart from all the agricultural, commercial, and industrial booths, the rodeo attracts a lot of attention on Saturday and Sunday.

Kent Smith Rodeo Arena is ready. (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

During the official Opening Ceremony which starts with the Inspection of the Guard by Prime Minister John Briceño at 3:00 p.m., MAFSE will officially recognize the Farmers of the Year: Women’s Farmer Esmeralda Stanley, Men’s Farmer Adrian Bartley, and Junior Farmer Axel Perez.

Guest speaker Gilbert Canton, Jr.; invited guest Elmer Oliva Pacheco, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Guatemala’s Peten Department’s Ministry of Agriculture; Mayor of Belmopan Sheran Palacio, and Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai will give addresses during the ceremony which will be highlighted with the performance of the Pannerifix Band.

MAFSE CEO Servulo Baeza will give the vote of thanks.

Senior Farmer of the Year is Adrian Bartley from the Belize District (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

Woman Farmer of the Year is Esmeralda Stanley from the Toledo District (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

Junior Farmer of the Year is Axel Perez of the Corozal District (Photo Credit: MAFSE)