Belize Secures $77M for Sugar Industry Climate Resilience

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Government of Belize launched the Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize (BAC-SuF) project. The initiative aims to safeguard the vital sugarcane sector from climate change impacts, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, said during his address on Friday that the project’s groundbreaking role in Belize’s agriculture calls it a signal that the country is “serious about accessing climate finance that will impact our country’s most vital sector and most vulnerable communities.”

Mai cited the significant losses from the 2019-2020 drought, which reduced sugarcane production by 20%. “Losses like this are devastating for the economy and even more so for the livelihood of these farmers,” he said.

The BAC-SuF project, which will last five years, has received a total of over $77 million Belize dollars in funding. 

Colin Young, Executive Director of CCCCC, spoke about the project as the first to focus on building resilience in Belize’s sugarcane industry. He described it as “a demonstration of Belizean leadership and innovation” and a sign of the CCCCC’s ability to create impactful projects.

The BAC-SuF project will focus on three core components aimed at strengthening the resilience of Belize’s sugarcane industry. The first component, Climate-Adapted Sugarcane and Improved Agronomy, will involve establishing climate-resilient sugarcane nurseries, replanting 10,000 acres, and implementing improved soil and ratoon management practices to enhance productivity and sustainability.

The second component, Sustainable Water and Land Management, will focus on investing in irrigation, drainage, and pest management systems that align with Climate Smart Agriculture standards, ensuring that farmers can better cope with changing environmental conditions.

The third component, Knowledge Hub and Capacity Building, will develop a training and information-sharing centre to enhance industry-wide expertise, equipping farmers with the necessary skills and resources to adapt to climate challenges.

Overall, the project is expected to directly benefit over 5,000 sugarcane farmers in Northern Belize and positively impact approximately 87,000 people within their communities.