Belize, Mexico share results of technical cooperation agreement in soybeans, coconuts at open day in Chetumal

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Ministries of Agriculture of Belize and Mexico held an Open Day Exhibition in Chetumal to share the results of the technical cooperation agreement in soybeans and coconuts, known as the Strategic Project for the Bilateral Productive Strengthening Mexico-Belize.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise said on Thursday that the open day at El Centro Experimental of Mexico’s National Institute for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in Chetumal was held to display results of varietal trials done in Belize with soybeans and coconut.

“The objective of the agreement is to increase the productivity of soybean, soursop, coconut and pitahaya crops through the sharing of experiences, transfer of technology and building technical capacities,” MAFSE said.

The Agriculture Ministry said 21 capacity building events were held for farmers and technicians.

“The training covered courses, demonstrations and participatory workshops to strengthen the technical capacities of 593 producers and technicians,” MAFSE said.

Belize was represented at the open day by MAFSE Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, MAFSE CEO Servulo Baeza, Belize Agriculture Health Authority Chairman Hugh O’ Brien, farmers, and MAFSE Technical Officers. INIFAP Director General Dr. Luis Angel Rodriguez del Bosque was also present.

“The collaboration between Mexico and Belize is important. We’ve stepped up the game,” Minister Mai said at the handing over of the Belize Resilient School Feeding Program (BRSFP) to the Ministry of Education at the San Joaquin RC Primary School on Wednesday.