By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has approved a $5.2 million emergency programme to combat the growing mealybug infestation affecting sugarcane production and the livelihoods of cane farmers in northern Belize.
The initiative aims to reduce pest populations, protect crop productivity and support the recovery and long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.
Under the programme, the Government will provide $2.56 million, representing 50 percent of the total cost. The remaining $2.56 million will be financed by participating cane farmers and recovered through agreed deductions from cane deliveries over four crop cycles.
The shared-financing arrangement brings together the Government, cane farmers and industry stakeholders in a coordinated response to the pest outbreak.
The Government of Belize noted that the structure will ensure the emergency programme is adequately funded while allowing farmers to contribute their portion in a manageable manner over time.
The programme will be coordinated by the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), in collaboration with the four cane producer associations and Belize Sugar Industries/ASR Group.
It will cover approximately 50,000 acres of sugarcane, including fields currently under cultivation as well as those scheduled for harvesting and replanting. Targeted fields will receive at least two applications to rapidly reduce and control the mealybug infestation, with all applications expected to be completed within the next two months.
The Government says it remains committed to working with cane farmers, industry stakeholders, technical partners and local authorities to address the infestation and safeguard sugarcane production.
The emergency intervention is also expected to strengthen pest management practices and build greater resilience within northern Belize’s sugarcane industry.
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By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has approved a $5.2 million emergency programme to combat the growing mealybug infestation affecting sugarcane production and the livelihoods of cane farmers in northern Belize. The initiative aims to reduce pest populations, protect crop productivity and support the recovery and long-term sustainability of the sugar industry. Under the
The post Government of Belize approves $5.2 million emergency Mealybug control programme appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
