The Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) has received an in‑kind donation valued at $10,000.00 from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), one of its key partners in agricultural development. The contribution comprises microbiological crop-protection products and digital equipment to support research, extension, and climate-resilient sugarcane production in northern Belize.
Among the crop protection inputs handed over are the microbes such as Trichozam (Trichoderma harzianum) and the biofertilizer Nitrizam-Nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azospirillus lipoferum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus, subtilis), both of which are beneficial microorganisms. Trichozam helps suppress damaging plant diseases through biological action, reducing the need for synthetic fungicides, while Nitrizam improves nutrient availability and soil fertility by enhancing microbial activity and nitrogen cycling. Together, the products support healthier root systems, stronger plant growth, and more efficient use of inputs.
By improving soil health and reducing dependence on conventional agrochemicals, the use of Trichozam and Nitrizam is closely aligned with climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the sugarcane sector. Healthier, biologically active soils can better withstand drought, intense rainfall, and temperature extremes, helping cane farmers cope with climate variability, maintain yields, and protect the environment in the northern sugar belt.
The donation from IICA also provided digital desk microscopes and portable digital microscopes to strengthen SIRDI’s capacity for diagnosis, monitoring, and training in both the laboratory and field. These tools will strengthen SIRDI’s technical capacities to identify pests and beneficial organisms, assess soil and plant health, and deliver more precise, evidence-based recommendations to farmers during field visits and demonstrations.
This contribution will help SIRDI to carry out more targeted research, expand farmer training on climate-smart practices, and support the transformation process to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of the sugarcane production systems in northern Belize. SIRDI is grateful to IICA for this timely and strategic support and looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing the resilience and productivity of the national sugar cane industry.
ENDS
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The Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) has received an in‑kind donation valued at $10,000.00 from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), one of its key partners in agricultural development. The contribution comprises microbiological crop-protection products and digital equipment to support research, extension, and climate-resilient sugarcane production in northern Belize. Among the
The post IICA-Belize Donates Biological Products and Equipment to Strengthen the Northern Sugarcane Industry appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
