Belizean Farmland: Size And Scale

Belize is home to a diverse range of agricultural production systems, with farms of varying sizes. While the country's economy was historically dominated by agricultural exports, including sugarcane, citrus fruits, bananas, and marine products, the average farm size in Belize is relatively small.

Most farms in Belize are smaller than 100 acres (40 hectares), with a significant number falling below 20 hectares. In fact, according to the 2018 agriculture census, about a quarter of farmers owned less than 5 acres, a third owned between 5 and 20 acres, and the remaining two-fifths owned more than 20 acres. This distribution of farm sizes is particularly evident in the Toledo District, where 77% of farms are below 20 acres.

Belize's agricultural landscape is characterised by a mix of commercial, technologically advanced farms and small-scale, family-owned operations. Despite their smaller size, many small farms contribute significantly to export-oriented production, particularly in sugarcane, citrus, and hot pepper farming.

What percentage of Belize's land is used for agriculture?

Belize has a developing free-market economy, with agriculture being vital to the country's economy. In 1999, agriculture accounted for about 22% of the GDP and 68% of export earnings.

Sugar is the nation's largest agricultural export, accounting for 50% of domestic export revenues and half of all arable land use. Sugarcane is grown around the towns of Corozal and Orange Walk, and sugar is exported to the United States and the European Union. Fruits, such as bananas, oranges, and grapefruits, are the country's second-largest agricultural export, with banana production accounting for 16% of total exports in 1999. Fruit production occurs in the Stann Creek Valley and is affected by weather and international market conditions. Other export crops include vegetables, tropical fruits, chili peppers, papayas, and organic cocoa.

Livestock rearing is also important in Belize, with the country becoming self-sufficient in fresh meat and poultry products. Belizean slaughterhouses produced 3.3 million pounds of beef and 1.9 million pounds of pork in 1999, with some of this output exported to Honduras and Guatemala. Fishing is another vital component of the economy, providing food for domestic consumption and an important source of foreign exchange. Belize exported over 5,200 tons of marine products in 1999, mainly lobster and shrimp.

While a small proportion of Belize's land is actively used for agriculture, the sector employs about one-fifth to one-third of the population. Most farms are smaller than 100 acres (40 hectares), and many of them are milpas (temporary forest clearings). Traditional shifting cultivation is practiced on most of these farms due to the nutrient-poor soils of the lowlands. The remaining farms or plantations are devoted to growing crops for export.

What is the average farm size in acres?

Belize's economy is largely based on agriculture, which employs about one-fifth of the population. The average farm size in Belize varies, with most farms being smaller than 40 hectares (98.8 acres) or 100 acres, and many of them are milpas (temporary forest clearings). According to the 2018 agriculture census, 24% of farmers owned fewer than 5 acres, 33% owned between 5 and 20 acres, and 43% owned more than 20 acres.

The distribution of land holdings in Belize is quite uneven, with the smallest 24% of farms holding only 1.4% of the farmland. However, this figure may be slightly misleading as 46% of the land registered to farms remains unutilized, and it is likely that none of the land on the smallest farms is left unused. Taking this into account, the 24% of farms that are smallest (those under 5 acres) likely hold around 2.6% of the usable farmland.

Overall, 57% of farms in Belize have less than 20 acres, with this number rising to 77% in the Toledo District in the extreme south of the country. The average farm size in Belize, therefore, tends to be on the smaller side, with just under two-fifths of farms falling into the 5- to 20-acre range.

What are the primary agricultural exports of Belize?

Belize has a small, developing free-market economy that is based primarily on agriculture, tourism, and services. The average farm size in Belize is less than 100 acres (40 hectares), with many farms being smaller than 20 hectares. These farms are often temporary forest clearings, known as milpas, where traditional shifting cultivation is practised due to the nutrient-poor soils of the lowlands. Despite the small farm sizes, agriculture is vital to the country's economy, employing about one-fifth to one-third of the population and contributing about 68% of export earnings.

The primary agricultural exports of Belize are:

• Sugar: Grown in the north of the country, sugar is Belize's largest agricultural export, accounting for 50% of domestic export revenues and half of all arable land use. Sugarcane is mainly grown around the towns of Corozal and Orange Walk and is exported to the United States and the European Union. Some sugar is also converted into molasses for rum distillation.
• Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are the second-largest agricultural export from Belize. Grown mainly in the Stann Creek and Cayo areas, south and west of Belize City, these fruits have been affected by world price fluctuations but are still produced for export. Citrus concentrate and bananas enter the United States duty-free under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
• Bananas: Banana production is significant in Belize, accounting for 16% of total exports in 1999. They are mainly exported from the port at Big Creek and are an important part of the country's economy, along with citrus fruits and sugar.
• Seafood: Belize has a thriving fishing industry, providing food for domestic consumption and an important source of foreign exchange. The country exports a significant amount of seafood, including lobster, shrimp, and crustaceans, to the United States.
• Other Crops: Belize also exports a variety of other crops, including rice, corn, roots and tubers, red kidney beans, vegetables, papayas, habanero peppers, and organic cocoa.

How does farm size vary across districts?

The average farm size in Belize varies across districts, with some areas favoring larger export-producing farms, while others consist predominantly of small farms.

Toledo District, for instance, is home to a high concentration of small farms, with 77% falling below 20 acres in size. In contrast, the Orange Walk District and Corozal District are known for their larger sugarcane plantations, with the former being the second-largest producer of sugarcane in the country.

The size of farms in Belize is influenced by various factors, including the type of crop being cultivated, the availability of land, and the farming practices employed. For example, crops like sugarcane, citrus fruits, and bananas are typically grown on larger, more commercial farms, while staples such as corn, beans, and vegetables are produced through a range of practices, from subsistence-oriented shifting cultivation ("milpa") to fully mechanized operations.

The distribution of land holdings in Belize is quite uneven, with smaller farms holding a disproportionately smaller amount of farmland. According to the 2018 agriculture census, a quarter of farmers in Belize owned fewer than 5 acres, a third owned between 5 and 20 acres, and the remaining two-fifths owned more than 20 acres.

While most farms in Belize are small, with 24% having less than 5 acres, this percentage varies by district. In the Toledo District, for example, 35% of farms are under 5 acres in size. On the other hand, larger farms with obvious commercial potential can be found in certain districts, such as the Orange Walk District for sugarcane and the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts for banana cultivation.

Additionally, external factors such as government financing and market access play a role in determining farm size. Government financing has historically favored larger export-producing farms, making it challenging for small farmers to obtain capital for improvements. This has resulted in a disparity in farm sizes across districts, with some areas having a higher concentration of small farms than others.

What are the primary types of livestock in Belize?

Belize's economy is largely based on agriculture, which employs about one-fifth of the population. Most farms are smaller than 100 acres (40 hectares), and many are milpas, or temporary forest clearings. The country has a diverse range of livestock, with the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) representing over 5,200 cattle producers nationwide with a total herd of 187,294 animals.

The primary types of livestock in Belize include cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry. The country has become self-sufficient in fresh meat and poultry products due to increased livestock rearing. The Belize Livestock Station, under the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to promote, support, and facilitate livestock development using appropriate technologies to increase quality production and productivity. The Ministry provides superior genetic breeding stock and technical support services to producers.

Cattle are one of the most important types of livestock in Belize, with the country aiming to improve the quality of its local cattle stock. The Red Angus breed is used for meat production for the tourist industry, while Pure Brahman cattle are bred for improved performance and productivity. The Belize Livestock Registry (BLR), funded by the European Union, has been established to prepare the industry for the export of cattle and meat by providing a recognised national registry of traceability and accountability.

Sheep and goats are also significant in Belize's livestock industry. The Ministry of Agriculture has been working on crossbreeding the Barbados Black Belly and Dorper sheep with the Boar goat to promote meat production and export. Additionally, the Landrace and Large White breeds of swine are being maintained as foundation breeds for quality pork production.

Poultry farming is another vital component of Belize's livestock sector. Large-scale chicken farming was introduced by the Mennonite community, and they are known for their strong work ethic in transforming uninhabited land into productive farms and dairies.

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