FO4ACP Program Enhances Belize’s Market Access and Sustainable Practices in Agriculture

Belize’s agricultural sector is getting a major boost from the Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program. This initiative is transforming sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of rural communities. By advancing entrepreneurship and market access, FO4ACP helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability. Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. This program is making Belize’s agricultural sector more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program is a game-changer for Belize’s agricultural sector. It boosts sustainable development and significantly improves the livelihoods of rural communities. FO4ACP advances entrepreneurship and market access by creating fair value chains and offering business development services. This initiative helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability while supporting business growth.

 

Servulo Baeza, C.E.O., Ministry of Agriculture

“Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved with FO4ACP, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. Participants in projects like the drone training have included farmers, extension officers, and members of  the cooperative department.”

 

FO4ACP focuses on empowering Farmers’ Organizations to deliver economic services, create a better business environment, and support institutional development. This initiative strengthens Belize’s agricultural sector, making it more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges.

 

Pedro Boareto, Food & Agriculture Organization

“This initiative highlights something that we in the FAO believe and are advocating for, in terms of the needs that we have and the strengthening of the farmers’ organization’s capacity and the role, the crucial role that we have in the different territories and how it’s important to provide the conditions that you lead the transformations that we need to face the challenges that we have in terms of climate change and inequalities. It’s in the farmers organizations that we can find the solutions to transform our production in a sustainable manner.”

 

The program fosters collaboration among governments, stakeholders, and partners to develop a unified sub-regional policy and program. This teamwork creates a supportive environment for agricultural growth and ensures policies meet farmers’ needs.

 

Servulo Baeza

“At the Ministry of Agriculture, we support smallholders a hundred percent. Our ministry has specific goals and objectives which include boosting agricultural output and efficiency, encouraging investment in the agricultural and food sectors, fostering private sector participation in agribusiness, creating an environment that supports competitive agricultural practices and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and ensure long-term viability.”

 

FO4ACP prioritizes knowledge management by mapping, capitalizing, disseminating, and supporting the scaling up of existing and new information. This approach keeps farmers informed about best practices and innovations, boosting their productivity and sustainability.

 

Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Cooperatives

“Locally, there has been several investments made within our cooperatives.  We have had capacity building activities where our farmers have received training, not just on the production side, but also on the entrepreneurial development side. We have had farmers participate in exchange visits to other countries where the project is being implemented and we have had farmers from those countries also visit Belize.  It is an exchange of information and an exchange of best practices.”

 

FO4ACP champions sustainable food and agricultural principles, which are crucial for Belize as it grapples with climate change and environmental sustainability. By adopting climate-smart practices, farmers can boost their resilience and productivity. Isani Cayetano for News Five.