Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 10:55 am CST.
Press Release
The Ministry of Agriculture announces that the Government of Belize has committed $2.6 million to address the outbreak of fusarium disease affecting the sugarcane industry.
The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, during a Sugar Cane Brainstorming Session held Monday at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) Conference Room. With nearly 40,000 acres of sugarcane impacted, the meeting brought together key partners to discuss urgent solutions.
The Ministry of Agriculture will allocate $500,000 from its Capital II funds to support a pilot project on 2,500 acres of sugarcane. This initiative will involve subsoiling for deep drainage, fungicide treatments, and a combination of organic solutions aimed at improving plant health, working with progressive farmers. Additionally, $100,000 from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) will fund the testing of Trichoderma, a native fungus that could help control fusarium. If successful, this fungus will be mass-produced locally by the University of Belize and made available to farmers at an affordable price.
Furthermore, $2 million from the World Bank-funded Climate Resilient Agriculture Project (CRESAP) will strengthen the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute’s (SIRDI) capacity to produce Trichoderma, which is key in controlling fusarium. In addition to these efforts, the Ministry will collaborate with the private sector to introduce new sugarcane varieties that are more resistant to the disease.
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) will also play an essential role in supporting medium-term strategies to manage fusarium and ensure the long-term sustainability of Belize’s sugar industry.
The brainstorming session included presentations from industry leaders, agricultural experts, and key partners who provided updates on the fusarium situation and proposed solutions. Among the attendees were Minister Mai, CEO Servulo Baeza, technical advisors, SICB Chairman Marcos Osorio, representatives from IICA and 5Cs, as well as SIRDI personnel.
Minister Mai emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the sugarcane industry and the livelihoods of farmers, stressing the importance of collaboration and scientific innovation to combat this crisis effectively.
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Posted: Wednesday, June 18, 2025. 10:55 am CST. Press Release The Ministry of Agriculture announces that the Government of Belize has committed $2.6 million to address
The post Government commits $2.6 million to support Sugarcane Farmers affected by Fusarium Disease appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.