Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries Rodwell Ferguson at the International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The future of Belize’s honey industry is taking center stage on Friday as the International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 is ongoing at the Muffles College Auditorium in Orange Walk Town. Sponsored by the Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP), the event brings together local and international experts, cooperatives, financial institutions, and development partners to chart a path toward a profitable and environmentally sustainable apiculture sector.
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries Rodwell Ferguson – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries
Ferguson Highlights Growth and National Strategy
Delivering the keynote address, newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries Rodwell Ferguson stressed the remarkable progress Belize has made in honey production.
“Belize has harvested 130,810 pounds of honey in 2025, supported by 2,603 colonies and carried out by 216 dedicated beekeepers, private companies, and NGOs across our districts,” Ferguson announced, praising the resilience of producers and the collective support of institutions.
Ferguson outlined the government’s national beekeeping strategy, which has already doubled the number of beekeepers, expanded youth and women’s participation, and established six demonstration apiaries across the country. These hubs now serve as centers for training, research, and technology transfer.
He also highlighted international collaborations, including farmer exchanges with Mexico and Guatemala, queen-rearing training in Argentina, and the approval of Belize’s Wild Swarm Control and Management Program.
“Our goal is not only to grow in quantity, but to grow in quality, resilience, and sustainability,” Ferguson emphasized, noting that apiculture is now a priority under Plan Belize as part of efforts to diversify agriculture with high-value income-generating activities.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries’ Minister of State Alex Balona opened the International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries
Balona Stresses Collaboration and Innovation
Following Ferguson’s remarks, Minister of State Alex Balona welcomed participants and reinforced the importance of collective action in strengthening Belize’s honey value chain.
“Under the theme ‘Constructing a Profitable and Environmentally Sustainable Future for Beekeeping in Belize,’ we bring together the people who are driving innovation—our farmers, technicians, researchers, industry collaborators, and supporters from home and abroad,” Balona said.
He noted that beekeeping has evolved from small clusters of producers into a sector that now contributes meaningfully to incomes, community development, and biodiversity protection.
“Your ideas, your experiences, and your collaboration are what will shape the next chapter of beekeeping in Belize,” Balona added, encouraging participants to fully engage in the technical exchanges and discussions throughout the symposium.
A Regional and Global Platform
The symposium features sessions on climate-smart beekeeping practices, certification frameworks, market development, and traceability systems, with regional experts from Mexico and Guatemala sharing best practices. The event also highlights opportunities available under the CRESAP Project, which supports farmers of all scales in adopting sustainable agricultural innovations.
As Belize positions itself to expand honey production and diversify apiculture products, today’s gathering marks a significant step in building a sector that is profitable for families, sustainable for the environment, and competitive in regional and international markets.
The post Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture opens International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries Rodwell Ferguson at the International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The future of Belize’s honey industry is taking center stage on Friday as the International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025
The post Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture opens International Beekeeping Symposium & Expo 2025 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.