AMEXCID personnel continue distribution of ATM cards to beneficiaries of the Sembrando Vida Project in Orange Walk, Corozal Districts

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Sembrando Vida Project underway, personnel of the Mexican Agency of International Cooperation for Development (AMEXCID) are continuing the distribution of ATM cards to beneficiary farmers.

On Tuesday, ATM card distribution was carried out in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. Next, they will target the Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.

“The continued distribution of ATM cards to beneficiaries reflects a commitment to improve the lives of those engaged in agriculture, while also supporting sustainability goals,” the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) said.

“The Sembrando Vida Project is a program sponsored by the Mexican government in collaboration with the Government of Belize which aims at providing support to farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices.”

The Sembrando Vida project is being carried out by Mexico in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador with the aim of curbing migration.

Farmers in Corozal receiving Sembrando Vida Project ATM cards from Amexcid personnel. (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

According to Emilio Rene Montero, National Food and Nutrition Security Commission (NFNSC) Coordinator, 2,000 Belizean farmers are benefitting from the Mexican-funded program. Montero said small farmers who have from .5 to 5 acres of land qualified for the assistance which includes agricultural inputs, economic input, and capacity building for eight months.

“They will get approximately $1,000 in agricultural supplies and they will get $500 every two months for the next eight months. That’s the $2,000 in economic support,” Montero said.

“And, then the eight months technical training which is ongoing.”

Farmers in Orange Walk receiving Sembrando Vida Project ATM cards from Amexcid personnel. (Photo Credit: MAFSE)

Montero said bio-factories have been installed in every district to train the farmers how to do their natural organic biofertilizers.

The BZ$6 million for the Sembrando Vida project was released since October 17, 2022, when MAFSE Minister Jose Abelardo Mai signed the Amexcid Sembrando Vida grant contract at the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College in San Roman, Corozal, along with Claudio Lara, director of the Sembrando Vida project in Belize, in representation of the Mexican government. After the October signing, farmers applied for inclusion in the program. Once the farmers were identified, the registration and validation process followed and AMEXCID hired extension officers. When everything was in place, the program was launched last June.

Montero said the Sembrando Vida objective is for the beneficiary farmers to become self-sustaining.

Farmers in Orange Walk receiving Sembrando Vida Project ATM cards from Amexcid personnel. (Photo Credit: MAFSE)