34,270 AT AGRIC’ 2023 “A HUGE SUCCESS”

The National Agriculture and Trade Show, under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, was held from April 28 to 30 under the theme “Innovations in Technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector.” few weeks who are seriously contemplating putting properties in Belize City, Belmopan, the Placencia area, and Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. As you will see later on today, Mister Enrique Hoare from the airport will be do - ing a presentation on the growth path for them and the expansion and modernization of the airport. I have been advised that they are going to spend somewhere around two hundred and fifty million Belize over the next few years in expanding the airport.”

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise thanks all those who attended the show, as well as the committee members who dedicated valuable time and energy to planning and coordinating the event. This year’s show had a 7% increase compared to last year’s, as it welcomed over 34,270 visitors, regional delegates, and guests. The ministry also acknowledges its co-investors, sponsors, businesses, and collaborating agencies, including the Belize Police Department, Belmopan City Council, and Traffic Department. Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, recognizes the efforts of his ministry’s staff in contributing to the fruitful event.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise considers the show a huge success. The ministry is pleased to report that there were no major incidents reported in or around the grounds. The rodeo events on April 30 also drew a considerable crowd and went without incident.

The 2024 National Agriculture and Trade Show will be held from April 26 to 28.

The conference saw representatives from most regional airlines who made presentations namely: Alaska Airlines, Toni Freeberg – Managing Director, Corporate Sales, Viva Aerobus, Yolanda Maldonado - Manager, Net - work Planning, Westjet, Rick JonesManager, Network Planning, COPA, Michael Wehmeyer – General Manager Central America. Also, Mr. Enrique Hoare, Managing Director of Belize Airport Concession made a short presentation.

The estimated cost of the airport expansion is around BZ $250 million dollars and will be done in phases over the next couple of years as noted by Mr. Enrique in his presentation.

SUPERVISOR, GENERAL SERVICES

The Central Bank invites qualified individuals to join its Administration Department

The Supervisor, General Services, is responsible for the functions and operations of the General Services Unit, which includes the Central Bank’s procurement and inventory management, asset management, and logistical and courier functions. The Supervisor, General Services, must adhere to the Central Bank’s policies and procedures and best practices within these areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

▪ Manage the vehicle fleet and ensure that vehicles are maintained, repaired, cleaned, or replaced as per the Central Bank’s policies and procedures.

▪ Verify monthly motor vehicle and fuel analysis reports and make recommendations on efficiency.

▪ Manage the Central Bank’s fixed assets and ensure all required movements are completed according to the Fixed Assets Procedure.

▪ Oversee logistical arrangements for all meeting facilities conducted by Office Attendants.

▪ Oversee stocktaking of the Central Bank’s cutleries and kitchenware at least once annually.

▪ Assist in the sale of collectible coins

▪ Assist in executing the Administration Department’s Business Continuity Plan.

▪ Assist with preparing data required for the annual insurance tender process for the Central Bank’s vehicle fleet, Building and Contents, and Public and Employers’ Liability Covers.

▪ Provide logistical support for conferences, meetings, training, and workshops hosted by the Central Bank.

▪ Supervise all staff of the General Services Unit to ensure that all tasks are completed per their job description.

▪ Prepare annual strategic work plan and quarterly program reports for General Services Unit.

▪ Perform any other duties as per the functions of the Administration Department and cross-functional duties within the Central Bank.

The applicants should possess the following:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

▪ A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field from a recognized university with at least three (3) years of relevant experience.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

▪ Possesses, applies, and maintains a high degree of knowledge in the relevant area to deliver quality work, and keeps informed of the latest trends and development in the discipline ; Demonstrated cross-functional ability and desire to learn more about new areas; Proficient in software applications including Microsoft Office Suite

COMPETENCIES

▪ Strong Communication Skills; Results Orientation; Flexibility/Adaptability; Organizational Awareness; Interpersonal Effectiveness; Decision Making/Problem Solving; Leadership; Empowering and Developing Others.

Submit the following documents by Wednesday, 10 May 2023:

▪ CBB Employment Application Form (Available online)

▪ Curriculum Vitae

▪ Three (3) current references (one must be from a previous employer)

▪ Certified copies of university transcripts, degrees, and any other personal certificates

Opening of National Agriculture and Trade Show 2023

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

Friday April 28 in Belmopan

Good evening: Protocols established.

‘Innovations in technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector.’

A Pleasant Good Evening to one and all,

I am proud and honoured to address you this evening as we launch the 2023 National Agriculture and Trade Show and welcome Belizeans from all walks of life to participate in the main showcase of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise. You are at our home, our headquarters, and the Show is a special event we strive to make bigger, better, and brighter every year.

2023 marks the 51st year that the National Agriculture and Trade Show is showcasing the achievements of our hard-working enterprising farmers from across this beautiful nation of ours. Before I delve deep into my speech, let me take time out to extend my profound appreciation and sincere gratitude to the members of the NATS committee for a job well done.

And as the Minister responsible for Agriculture, I would like to personally congratulate the male Farmer of the Year –Mr. Adrian Andres Bartley of the Belize District, the female Farmer of the Year – Mrs. Esmeralda Stanley of the Toledo District and the Junior Farmer of the Year – Mr. Axel Joel Perez of the Corozal District. These farmers are truly deserving of this year’s awards - they have worked diligently and are contributing to food security, employment, foreign exchange earnings and the overall development of Belize. They are role models for our young people, women and Belizeans in general. But speaking of women in agriculture, let us not forget Sustainable Development Goal #5 which is to “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” and my Ministry is especially proud of all the female farmers, and my ministry will keep on working with them, encouraging them, and supporting them because women have a very significant role to play in agriculture.

These farmers achievements, successes and contributions, when combined with that of the numerous farmers that span the length and breadth of Belize, provide clear evidence that agribusiness is the pillar of the Belizean economy and plays a crucial role in feeding and growing Belize.

It is no secret that agriculture contributes about 80% of total exports and employs 16.8% of the total employed labour force. Let me put it in small change. Agriculture is to the Belizean economy the same as the foundation and columns are to a house. A house built without a good foundation or with no columns will not support a second or third floor, in fact, that house will be easy to crumble. Politicians from the PUP, the UDP and other political parties, individuals from different ethnic groups in Belize, Belizeans young and old, I urge you to pay heed to the call of putting agriculture in its rightful place. It took former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, almost a whole lifetime, and only prompted by the onset of COVID-19, for him to come out and declare the crucial importance of local food production and agriculture in Belize. I’ve been championing the importance ever since I joined the Ministry of Agriculture. And farmers, large and small, fulltime and part-time, from Corozal to Toledo, the time to promote innovations in technology as we aim to become more resilient and competitive was yesterday, but together let’s get these climate resilient wagons going before it is too late, and prevent our houses from crumbling because we chose not to build them with strong foundations.

This year’s National Agriculture andTrade Show Theme “Innovations in technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector” is very relevant given the current Global Climate Change Impacts, worldwide inflationary pressure and high instability of prices caused by the ‘age of easy money’ in developed countries and the war in Ukraine, and let us not forget that the world is still recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic which brought the world to a standstill 3 years ago.

When we were putting the planBelize Agenda into action, the new government worked closely with the private sector to ensure that the economy rebounded. We thought outside the box, especially so in the case of agriculture. I am happy to say that thanks to this joint effort, today the agriculture sector has seen significant growth, remains relevant and competitive, and we have a robust, thriving agriculture and food sector in this country. Under this administration, our government has reprioritized agriculture and implemented policies to support local production.

In 2021, the agriculture sector grew by 24%, partly due to the massive exports of cattle to Mexico and other markets, increased production and export of sugar as well as the significant growth in grain production, particularly corn and soybeans.

In 2022, the sector stabilized and actually recorded a miniscule 0.6% fall in production, partly due to the difficulty in matching the massive growth experienced in 2022 and a fall in cattle and banana exports. Despite this fall, overall agriculture exports expanded as better prices were obtained for some of our exported commodities such as sugar and grains. Agriculture exports was the primary contributor to the 11% increase in merchandize exports from $437 million in 2021 to $485.1 million in 2022.

I can stand here and tell you about the significant increase in sugar exports by $24.3 million to reach $162.4 million in 2022, animal feed exports rising by $21.2 million to reach a new record of $52.4 million and Belize becoming self-sufficient in soybean pro- duction for the first time in history. We can sit and be comforted about growing success and confidence in our cattle industry, and brag about new investments in the processing of soybean meal, refined soybean oil, processing of coconut water and oil, dairy processing etc. etc.

However, as a Minister trained in agriculture, and having first-hand experience as a cane and cattle farmer, I cannot stand by and tell you that all is well. Covid-19 has come and gone, but the reality of climate change remains and is one of the most serious threats to sustainable development and agriculture.

Belize due to our geographic location is susceptible to climatic events such as hurricanes, prolonged droughts, flooding and heavy rains due to cold fronts. In the last decade or more, we have witnessed higher frequencies of short, but intense rainfall events, followed by dry spells. By 2050 (which is only 27 years out), more changes in moisture regime are expected, as well as decreases in rainfall partnering with higher temperatures. Sea-level rise is also projected, along with the intrusion of saline water and flooding along the coasts. According to the IMF, Belize ranks third in countries most at risk for natural hazards among small developing states.

These major climatic and environmental challenges are already impacting our agriculture sector and will continue to affect the livelihoods of our Belizeans farmers more severely. Let’s examine a few of the issues related to the phenomenon, not to introduce gloom and doom but to realistically examine what climate change means for agriculture in Belize.

In 2018, farmers lost an estimated US$1.9 million due to flooding, while in 2019, a severe drought caused an estimated US$38.5 million in losses. In 2020, economic damages of Hurricane Nana caused significant estimated damages of US$6-10 million in the agriculture sector, while Hurricanes Eta and Iota also caused damages of a little over US$7 million. In 2021, pests such as the Asian Thrips, which are not common in Belize, devastated the blackeye (cowpea) crop and caused significant economic damage. And in 2022, the agriculture sector lost approximately US$16 million from the effects of a tropical storm and Hurricanes, Julia & Lisa.

Climate change is already affecting agricultural production and productivity in Belize and the effects of climate change are projected to intensify in the future. Climate Model projections for Belize suggest that temperatures could rise 1.3 °C by the 2030s, 1.8 °C by 2050, and 2.1 °C by 2070. Rainfall is likely to decrease throughout the country, with declines ranging from 7% in the northern zone to 10% in the southern zone.

This means that our farmers will have to adapt and productivity might be affected, and the yields of beans, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, tropical fruits, rice, and cacao might be significantly reduced. In fact, corn production may become too risky without irrigation especially as greater differentiation between the dry and wet seasons is expected. If we are not careful and we don’t start taking corrective measures now, soil aridity will become a problem and immense pressures will be placed on our limited water resources as the demand for water for irrigation purposes will increase. Prolonged dry spells and reduced water availability will limit production output for our traditional crops, as well livestock, and we will find ourselves choosing between having water for maintaining agriculture livelihood and food security or having water for meeting basic household needs.

As a government and as a ministry we are aware of the challenges, and we are seeking solutions. Climate change is being discussed at the national, regional and international level. At the Conference of Parties, the Prime Minister defended and negotiated Belize’s position in areas of transparency, climate adaptation, loss and damage, and finance.

As a ministry, we have been working with partners and donor agencies to strengthen climate resiliency in the agriculture sector. We have sought partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to secure cool storage technology for cooperatives involved in vegetable production. The MAFSE is also working with the World Food Program to aid farmers affected by hurricane Lisa, and we are working closely with the FAO to strengthen our agriculture Sector Policy with focus on Seeds, Back Yard Poultry and Marketing, in addition to the development of a digital agriculture extension service platform for a sustainable and inclusive agri-food system and value chain. The Agriculture Sector must keep on preparing itself for climate risks as it requires sector-specific strategies for disaster risk reduction, early warning mechanisms and emergency response and financing.

The MAFSE along with the Social Investment Fund has engaged in implementing the US$25million Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP) financed by the GOB and the World Bank. This project will strengthen the institutional capacities of various line ministries and partners to help farmers manage extreme climate events, by strengthening agro-meteorological data collection, processing and sharing, and by analysing hazard risks for selected agricultural activities under extreme climate events (specifically, excessive rainfall and drought). It also aims to increase agricultural productivity and promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural approaches among project beneficiaries; through (a) enhanced access to water in agriculture, with the objective of optimizing productivity & efficiency and enhancing water resource management in the use of water for agriculture; (b) creating conditions for crop diversification, including the introduction of higher-value crops and/or increased land-use intensity (through double cropping, intercropping, the use of high-yielding varieties, varieties better adapted to resist climate change, and other practices to increase resiliency to climate change); and (c) reducing inefficient use of purchased agricultural inputs as well as food losses and waste.

Solutions to address land degradation must include soil management practices that reduce fertilizer use and soil aridity, using integrated crop/livestock systems, implementing silvo-pastoral systems and the promotion of low energy production systems among other best practices. If not, farming investments will be at risk, as heat waves will stress livestock and poultry, resulting in reduced body weights and increased mortality.

The Ministry has not been idle, ladies and gentlemen, and has many plans for the agriculture sector that will enable our farmers to deal with issues and situations arising from climate change. We remain committed to supporting the agriculture sector, growing the economy and ensuring the nation continues to be food secure.

Miss Netty Johnson Scholarship

1st Year Students are invited to apply

Criteria:

1. Acceptance letter indicating 1st Year 2023-24 entrance to a High School in the Orange Walk District.

2. Documentation showing Financial Need

4.Belizean and under the age of 15 for the entire 2023-24 school year. (Image of SSB Card)

3. A 350-word ESSAY in the applicant’s own handwriting a) Describes the student? b)Explains why High School education is necessary? c) Describes the student’s present and future interest/s in the community? d) Why should you be awarded the MNJ Scholarship?

The High School Acceptance letter, Proof of Financial Need, SSB Card, and scan of 350-word Application Essay must be emailed to tonyjim@hotmail.com by Friday June 2, 2023. Text questions may be forwarded via WhatsApp or SMStext to 675-8380.

Liquor License Notices

Notice is hereby given that Sophia Anderson is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Buff Cool Spot” located at # 46 Vernon Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Gonsalo D. Pleites is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Vaca Outpost” located at 8 Miles Hydro Rd., Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Rafael Gamez is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Cool River View Restaurant & Bar” located at # 1 Waight Street, San Ignacio, Cayo District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.