Belize Farmers Use Insects to Fight Pests, Reduce Chemicals

Farmers in rural Belize are getting a boost in their fight against crop-damaging pests—thanks to tiny helpful insects.

The International Regional Organization for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA), in partnership with Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) under the Ministry of Economic Transformation and the Regional Biological Control Program, is supporting farmers to use natural pest control methods. These involve releasing beneficial insects into crop fields to reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Two of the main insects being used are:

• Trichogramma pretiosum, a tiny wasp that attacks the eggs of crop pests, especially borers (insects that burrow into plants).
• Green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea), which feeds on many harmful insects.

This approach helps protect the environment, lowers farming costs, and produces healthier food.

One of the most damaging pests for crops like cabbage, broccoli, and kale is the diamondback moth. Farmers usually rely on a lot of pesticides to control it. But now, by using these helpful insects, they can reduce chemical use, which also lowers the risk of pesticide residues in food and harm to the environment.

As part of this pilot project, 13 farmers will receive support from the RRB program:

• 2 farmers from Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. in Corozal
• 2 from Los Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos of Nago Bank Cooperative Society Ltd. in Belize District
• 9 from Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. in Cayo

The goal is to help more farmers adopt eco-friendly farming methods and grow safer, healthier produce for Belizean families.