SOE In Sugar Industry Over Fusarium Disease

Earlier, we mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture is working hard to keep Belize free of screwworm. However, there’s another issue at hand—a fungal disease called fusarium  has led the ministry to declare a state of emergency in the sugar industry. This disease is reportedly affecting forty thousand acres of sugar cane. So, how will this impact the start of the 2024/2025 sugar crop? We asked Minister Mai for his insights.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“We declared a state of emergency. We had an S.I. signed two weeks ago declaring a state of emergency.  Under the previous act, there was no provision for that. So, we had to amend the act to include plant and animal diseases to try to draw down resources from our neighbors, partners in development. I was at COP 29 for the first time in my life, and I went there not to profile or take picture. My message was very clear. Our farmers are suffering from the effects of climate change. What are we going to do about it? While I was there I spoke to my team and they presently formally requests from ICA. It has been approved in principle. So what we are working on is the details of the resources that will come to us to help us find a way to mitigate the effects of fusarium. It has to be a program. It is not a silver bullet. It is a whole program that will include biologi9cal control, different cropping systems, integrated crop management, new varieties, bringing in varieties from Brazil that that are resistant to fusarium. ICA will provide money for that.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is the implications of the state of emergency for the start of the sugar crop?”

 

Jose Abelardo Mai

“The crop will begin, as soon as weather improves. If there is enough cane out there to start, we will start. We have to continue. The fields that have fusarium will eventually die out.”