Belize's Agricultural Landscape: Exploring The Country's Diverse Farming Practices

Belize's economy relies heavily on agriculture, which employs about one-fifth of the population and contributes to the country's food security. The country's subtropical climate and significant rainfall provide ideal conditions for farming, with sugar, bananas, and shellfish production dominating the sector in terms of revenue. Alongside these, hot pepper sauces, processed jams, jellies, extracts, and pastes are also significant contributors. Belize exports a variety of crops, including sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, and vegetables, while also producing meat, poultry, and seafood for domestic consumption.

Sugar, bananas, and shellfish are Belize's top farming revenue sources

Belize's economy relies heavily on agriculture, which employs about one-fifth of the population and accounts for a significant portion of the country's GDP and export earnings. Sugar, bananas, and shellfish are the top revenue sources for the country's agricultural sector.

Sugarcane is grown in the northern towns of Corozal and Orange Walk, and sugar is exported to the United States and the European Union. Sugar is Belize's largest agricultural export, accounting for about 50% of domestic export revenues and half of all arable land use. In 1999, the United States and the European Union bought a total of 56,172 tons of sugar from Belize. Some sugar is also converted into molasses for rum distillation.

Bananas are the second-largest agricultural export from Belize, accounting for 16% of total exports in 1999. Banana production is mainly concentrated in the Stann Creek area, south of Belize City. Fruits, including bananas, oranges, and grapefruits, are susceptible to weather conditions and international market fluctuations. However, efficient management by a growers' association has helped raise banana production to record levels.

Shellfish, including lobster and shrimp, are also significant sources of revenue for Belize's agricultural sector. Fishing is an important component of the economy, providing food for domestic consumption and foreign exchange earnings. In 1999, Belize exported over 5,200 tons of marine products, with lobster and shrimp being the main exports.

While other crops such as corn, rice, beans, and sorghum are produced in larger volumes, they are primarily consumed domestically. Belize's agricultural sector also includes the production of hot pepper sauces, processed jams, jellies, extracts, and pastes, as well as smaller quantities of coconut, cacao, and coffee for the local market and the tourist industry.

Belize's small farms lack modern equipment and irrigation systems

Belize's economy is primarily agro-based, with sugar, bananas, and shellfish production dominating the sector in terms of revenue. The country's agricultural sector provides a source of income and livelihoods for a large number of workers and contributes to the overall food security of the country. While agriculture and agribusiness thrive in Belize due to significant rainfall and a stable year-round subtropical climate, small farms in the country often lack access to modern equipment and irrigation systems.

Belize's agricultural landscape is characterised by a mix of small farms and larger plantations. Most farms are smaller than 100 acres (40 hectares), and many of them are milpas, or temporary forest clearings. Traditional shifting cultivation methods are commonly practised on these small farms due to the nutrient-poor soils of the lowlands. In contrast, the larger farms or plantations are devoted to growing export-oriented crops such as sugarcane, citrus fruits, and bananas.

The lack of modern equipment and irrigation systems on small farms in Belize has implications for efficiency and yield. With additional capital investment in irrigation systems and modern agricultural machinery, these farms could significantly improve their output. This is particularly important given that Belize's agricultural sector supports a significant portion of the country's workforce and contributes to domestic food security.

The Belizean government has recognised the need for value-added agriculture investments to expand irrigation, product storage, affordable food packaging, and preservation. By investing in modern equipment and irrigation systems, small farms in Belize can increase their efficiency, improve yields, and enhance food security for the nation.

There are also opportunities for sustainable technology and improved disease and pest management practices to be incorporated into agricultural processes. Additionally, the sale of production inputs, such as fertiliser and packaging materials, presents opportunities for US businesses as Belize's agricultural sector relies largely on imported inputs. Addressing the lack of modern equipment and irrigation systems in small farms in Belize is, therefore, a critical step towards improving the country's agricultural output and food security.

Belize's citrus and shrimp farming industries are battling disease

Belize's economy relies heavily on agriculture and tourism. The country's agricultural sector supports a large number of workers and contributes to the overall food security of the country. Belize's shrimp farming industry and citrus industry are both battling diseases that have impacted their production and caused significant losses.

The shrimp farming industry in Belize has faced several challenges in recent years due to disease outbreaks. In 2015, the industry was hit by a bacterial disease, resulting in losses of approximately $30 million and the layoff of more than 100 employees. This outbreak was believed to have been transmitted by birds that frequent the aquaculture ponds within the shrimp farms. The shrimp industry is vital to Belize, bringing in much-needed foreign exchange and providing employment opportunities to the country's poorest region in Southern Belize.

In 2012, a global shrimp disease called Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), or Hepatopancreatic Acute Necrosis Syndrome, reached Belize. By 2015, production had fallen by more than 95%, and the number of people employed in the industry decreased drastically. This crisis threatened to derail Belize's progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals, such as eradicating poverty and achieving food security. However, with support from the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF), shrimp farms are now using science and innovative technologies to rebuild and enhance their resilience against diseases.

Belize's citrus industry is also facing challenges due to a disease called citrus greening (Huanglongbing). This disease has led to a decline in production. While there is no detailed information on the extent of the impact, some reports indicate that grapefruit production has been more affected than oranges.

The battles against diseases in the shrimp farming and citrus industries highlight the importance of disease prevention and management in Belize's agricultural sector. These industries are crucial to the country's economy and the livelihoods of many Belizeans. By implementing improved biosecurity measures and innovative farming practices, Belize aims to overcome these challenges and secure the sustainability and growth of its agricultural sector.

Belize's meat and poultry production has helped it become self-sufficient

Belize's meat and poultry production have played a significant role in the country's journey towards self-sufficiency. The country's ability to meet its own food needs is closely tied to its agricultural and agribusiness sectors, which benefit from substantial rainfall and a relatively stable subtropical climate.

Large-scale chicken farming was introduced to Belize by the Mennonite community, who settled in the country in the 1950s, having previously lived in Mexico, Canada, and Russia. The Mennonite community is known for its strong work ethic, and they successfully transformed uninhabited land into productive farms and dairies. Quality Poultry Products (QPP), a cooperative poultry processing company, was founded by Mennonite cultivators in the late 1960s and became an official company in 1975. QPP played a pivotal role in helping Belize achieve self-sufficiency in poultry production.

QPP's founders initially aimed to reduce the country's reliance on poultry imports from the United States. They collaborated with other chicken farmers, sharing their knowledge and expertise to advance the poultry industry in Belize. Due to their collective efforts, Belize now has no importation of chicken. QPP has established relationships with numerous local broiler farmers and operates retail and wholesale outlets across the country. The company ensures fresh deliveries of its products to all locations through a fleet of refrigerated trucks and a boat.

QPP's poultry farming practices are noteworthy. Their chickens are hatched in incubators and brooded under controlled temperatures. The birds are fed a carefully formulated diet of locally grown and milled grain, ensuring their poultry is free of colourants, preservatives, hormones, and GMOs. This sets QPP apart from competitors, as they can proudly claim to produce chicken that is healthier and of higher quality.

In addition to its domestic success, QPP has recently obtained the necessary certifications to begin exporting its poultry products. The company has invested significantly in factory upgrades to meet international standards, particularly the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification. With these advancements, QPP is well-positioned to expand its production and solidify its dominance in the Belizean market. The company's potential export market includes health-conscious consumers willing to pay a premium for higher-quality chicken.

Belize's timber industry has been in decline

In recent years, Belize has seen a decrease in its timber industry, with an increase in imported timber products from the USA and Brazil. Local timber production has declined, and Belize is now a net importer of plywood, sawnwood, and veneer sheets. The country has also been facing challenges with unsustainable logging practices, competition from foreign countries with large forests of tropical hardwoods, and changing tastes from Western buyers who are concerned about the use of traditional tropical hardwood species.

Despite the decline, the timber industry remains vital to Belize's economy and society. The labour-intensive industry employs thousands of people in some of the poorest rural regions, and the furniture-making and retailing industry employs hundreds more. Belize has some of the most sought-after hardwoods in the world, including rosewood, mahogany, cedar, zericote, and granadillo. These trees are highly prized nationally and globally.

To address the decline in the timber industry, the Belizean government has been working towards moving from a 'logging industry' to a 'sustained timber management industry'. This transition involves managing timber stocks over long time scales (more than 25-year cycles) and adopting techniques like 'Reduced Impact Logging', which can be sustainable for hundreds of years. Additionally, the government has granted long-term contracts to foreign logging companies to increase foreign income. However, this has led to protests from Maya communities as thousands of trees have been destroyed in their traditional territory.

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