BAHA’s Deputy Technical Director of the Plant Health Department Gumercindo Mai – Photo Credit: BAHA
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: In Belize’s frontline defense against agricultural threats, few names carry the quiet weight of dedication like Gumercindo Mai. Now serving as Deputy Technical Director of the Plant Health Department at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Mai’s career spans over 25 years of unwavering service, technical excellence, and a deep-rooted love for entomology.
Mai began his journey in October 1994 as a Technician with the Screw Worm Eradication Program under the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. His early fieldwork laid the foundation for a career marked by versatility and trustworthiness. Promoted to Extension Officer III, he transitioned to BAHA in May 2000, where he assumed the role of Plant Health Technician—soon reclassified to Plant Health Officer.
His academic pursuits mirrored his professional growth. In June 2020, Mai earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Agriculture from the University of Belize. Just a year later, he was promoted to Surveillance Unit Coordinator, leading national campaigns including the Medfly Programme. His passion for entomology—long cultivated through self-study—was formalized in January 2023 with a master’s degree from the Universidad de Panama. By February 2024, he was appointed Entomologist and Field Investigation Officer.
In September 2025, Mai reached a new milestone: Deputy Technical Director of BAHA’s Plant Health Department. His supervisor, Francisco Gutierrez, describes him as “humble, resourceful, and deeply committed to the mission of the institution and the goals of the productive sector.” Known for his responsiveness to farmers and agencies alike, Mai is often the first point of contact for pest-related advice, specialized presentations, and field support.
His legacy is one of service, mentorship, and technical leadership.
Mai now guides colleagues in their own paths of professional growth, embodying the very opportunities BAHA offers for upward mobility. Whether in the field, the lab, or the boardroom, Gumercindo Mai remains a steadfast guardian of Belize’s agricultural health—and a living example of what dedication can achieve.
BAHA’s Shaliny Saunders contributed to this article.
The post From Field Technician to Deputy Director: Gumercindo Mai’s 25-year legacy of service at BAHA appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
BAHA’s Deputy Technical Director of the Plant Health Department Gumercindo Mai – Photo Credit: BAHA By Rubén Morales Iglesias: In Belize’s frontline defense against agricultural threats, few names carry the quiet weight of dedication like Gumercindo Mai. Now serving as Deputy Technical Director of the Plant Health Department at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA),
The post From Field Technician to Deputy Director: Gumercindo Mai’s 25-year legacy of service at BAHA appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.