By Zoila Palma: Belize is expanding agricultural production and agro-processing as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported food and strengthen its position as a net food exporter within CARICOM.
Agriculture Minister Rodwell Ferguson said that the Government is pursuing import substitution and export expansion under Plan Belize, with support targeted along entire agricultural value chains.
Ferguson highlighted the development of Belize’s soybean industry as an example of the country’s efforts to diversify agriculture and increase local production.
“In the year 2000, Belize imported all of its soybean needs, in 2020 we imported 50% of our soybean needs and since 2022, Belize has been self-sufficient in soybean and soybean meal,” Minister Ferguson told BBN. He noted that research, field demonstrations, technology adoption and investments in processing have contributed to the industry’s development.
Minister Ferguson added that Belize has also achieved self-sufficiency in several other commodities.
“We are also self-sufficient in rice, beans, corn, sorghum and animal feeds, as well as in livestock such as poultry, eggs, beef and pork,” he said.
He said the country has continued moving beyond primary production by investing in processing facilities for products such as corn flour, milk, cheese, coconut oil, soybean oil, wheat flour, noodles and processed meats.
Ferguson said the next phase is to maximize the value generated from agriculture and strengthen export opportunities. “Belize is advancing the CARICOM 25 by 2025+5 targets mainly by implementing Plan Belize which has a dual-purpose platform aimed at import substitution and export expansion,” he stated.
The post Belize targets greater food self-sufficiency through soybean production and Agro-processing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Belize is expanding agricultural production and agro-processing as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported food and strengthen its position as a net food exporter within CARICOM. Agriculture Minister Rodwell Ferguson said that the Government is pursuing import substitution and export expansion under Plan Belize, with support targeted along entire agricultural
The post Belize targets greater food self-sufficiency through soybean production and Agro-processing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.