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Belize Government commits $2.6 million to fight Fusarium, Minister Jose Mai announces Action Plan to support recovery of sugar industry

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Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2025. 10:22 pm CST.

Fusarium affected sugar cane field in San Narciso, Corozal – Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Government of Belize has committed $2.6 million to combat the fusarium fungal disease devastating the sugarcane industry, Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai announced following Monday’s Sugar Cane Brainstorming Session at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) Conference Room. With approximately 40,000 acres of sugarcane affected, stakeholders convened to discuss urgent solutions to contain the outbreak and protect farmers’ livelihoods.

Minister Mai emphasized the need for integrated solutions, stating that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economic Transformation have joined forces to implement targeted responses:

  1. $500,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture Capital II funds will be allocated to implement subsoiling for deep drainage, along with fungicide treatments and a cocktail of organic, rooting stimulant, and beneficial microorganisms across 2,500 acres of sugarcane as part of a pilot initiative with progressive farmers.
  2. $100,000 from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s (IICA) Hemispheric Fund for Climate Change Disasters has been approved for the testing of Native Trichoderma fungus, conducted by the University of Belize’s Laboratory and their scientist. If native Trichoderma proves effective, it will be mass-produced locally and made available to farmers at affordable prices.
  3. $2 million from the World Bank’s Climate Resilient Agriculture Project (CRESAP) project will be allocated to strengthen SIRDI’s capacity to produce Trichoderma, a biological control agent that combats fusarium.
  4. The Ministry of Agriculture will partner with the private sector to acquire sugarcane varieties tolerant or resistant to fusarium disease.
  5. The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) project will play a vital role in the medium-term battle against fusarium, further supporting long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.

A SIRDI Fusarium-affected sugar cane experimental plot – Photo Credit: MAFSE

The brainstorming session also featured industry leaders and agricultural experts presenting updates on the fusarium crisis and potential mitigation strategies:

– Industry Update: The Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) Chairman detailed the current state of the sugarcane industry and the devastating effects of fusarium on farmers and production.

– Biological Control Research: Representatives from SIRDI and IICA outlined ongoing biological control research and introduced a proposed management plan for fusarium containment.

– CRESAP Project: Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) representatives discussed the Institutional Strengthening for Pest Management Initiative, focusing on budget allocation and implementation progress.

– Funding and Budget Realignment: Project Manager Darrel Audinette reviewed budget realignment options within the 5C’s Project to support fusarium management.

– Future Industry Needs: The SICB Chairman addressed financial requirements for Belize’s integrated pest management system and identified possible funding sources.

The meeting was attended by Minister Mai, CEO Baeza, Senior Technical Advisor Hugh O’Brien, Director of Projects Jose Novelo, SICB Chairman Marcos Osorio, Climate Finance Unit Representative Justino Palomo, IICA personnel, the 5 C’s Managing Director, and SIRDI personnel.

Minister Mai reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding Belize’s sugar industry, stressing the importance of scientific innovation and collaboration with local and international partners to ensure long-term sustainability.

As Belize’s sugar industry confronts one of its biggest challenges in recent history, stakeholders remain hopeful that innovation, funding, and coordinated efforts will lead to effective disease management and economic recovery.

 

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