Posted: Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 4:15 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: In a significant stride towards bolstering agricultural resilience and market access, the Government of Belize (GOB), through the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and with financing totalling BZ$50 Million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and participating beneficiaries has embarked on a 6-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce.
The program aims to mitigate the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while fostering sustainable market opportunities for their produce.
Today, a pivotal step in this endeavor was marked with the signing of a BZ$1.86 million contract between GOB-MED/RRB and A&N Construction.
This contract signifies the commencement of upgrades to a crucial farm feeder road spanning 3.9 miles in Trio Village, Toledo District.
A press release noted that this farm roadway enhancement project is poised to provide year-round accessibility for Trio farmers, ensuring climate-resilient productivity and improved market connectivity through rehabilitated infrastructure and enhanced road and drainage systems.
Trio Village is home to the Cooperativa Los Buenos Amigos Co-operative, comprising small farmers who cultivate pineapples across approximately 31 acres of village land.
However, their productivity has been hampered by inadequate road conditions, limiting efficient transport of goods to markets.
Previously accessible only via tractor trails usable in dry seasons, the area faced challenges during rainfall, necessitating alternative, less efficient transport methods.
“The enhancement of the farm feeder road investment will benefit this community with an estimated 188 households and population of 899. Directly it will benefit other cacao, coconut and citrus farmers residing in the Village. In addition, other farmers of the surrounding areas will also benefit from the enhancement of the road,” the release said.
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai congratulated the farmers on this milestone achievement and in an interview with BBN he noted that “both farmers and producers are expected to benefit from this investment as the improved farm road will allow farmers to more easily access their farms to plant and maintain their crops and will also allow for the harvests of their hard work to more easily reach consumers.”
In attendance were also Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport; Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy; Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense and Border Security; Oscar Mira, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security; Carlos Pol, Acting Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Development; Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labor, and Local Government; and Pastor Julio Rivera, Chairman of Cooperativa Los Buenos Amigos Co-operative.
The upgrade of Trio Village’s farm feeder road marks a significant stride towards enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering sustainable rural development in Belize.
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The post Government of Belize- Ministry of Economic Development/ Resilient Rural Belize sign contract for upgrading of 3.9 miles Farm Feeder road in Trio Village, Toledo appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 4:15 pm CST. By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: In a significant stride towards bolstering agricultural resilience and market access, the Government of
The post Government of Belize- Ministry of Economic Development/ Resilient Rural Belize sign contract for upgrading of 3.9 miles Farm Feeder road in Trio Village, Toledo appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
