Posted: Monday, July 7, 2025. 9:52 am CST.
Press Release
Researchers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) are in the process of launching an intensive varietal research program for wheat in Belize. This varietal research program will be testing the performance of 100 open-pollinated varieties of wheat from two (2) lines, one line that has tolerance to semi-arid conditions, and the other line with tolerance to high temperature conditions. These varieties were provided by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), based in Mexico, and the design of the research trials is being done in collaboration with CIMMYT. CIMMYT, a key member of the CGIAR network, leads the Global Wheat Program, one of the world’s most extensive wheat breeding initiatives focused on enhancing food security and reducing poverty.
The High Temperature Wheat (HTW) yield trial is scheduled to be planted during the two planting seasons this year, ie, July and December, and the Semi-Arid Wheat (SAW) yield trial will be planted in 2026. Experimental fields will be established in the Cayo and Orange Walk Districts. Preliminary results from the first planting of the high-temperature wheat trial will be available by the end of the year.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE) convened a meeting with representatives from the Ministry and CARDI to fine-tune the design and to program the initiation of the wheat trial in Belize. Attendees included Dr. Victoriano Pascual, Chief Agricultural Officer; Mrs. Teresita Balan and Mrs. Lillian Suntecun of MAFSE; as well as Ms. Omaira Avila Rostant, CARDI Country Representative; and Mr. Roberto Can, also of CARDI. During the meeting, special thanks were extended to CIMMYT and Mexico for entrusting Belize with these trial varieties and supporting Belize’s agricultural research efforts.
Belize has already established a strong presence in grain production – particularly corn, sorghum, soybeans, and beans. Introducing wheat trials adds momentum to the MAFSE’s grain development strategy, providing farmers with new options to boost competitiveness in the grain sector.
During the period 2020 to 2024, Belize imported between 45 to 50 million pounds of wheat and another 7-8 million pounds of wheat flour. When taken together, Belize spends just under BZ $30 million annually on wheat and wheat flour imports.
Given wheat’s global significance as a staple crop and Belize’s current dependence on wheat and wheat flour imports, the Ministry sees this initiative as a timely step in its efforts targeting food security and reducing the country’s import bill.
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The post Local Agriculture Experts Ramp up Wheat Research in Belize – Intensive Varietal Trial to be Launched appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, July 7, 2025. 9:52 am CST. Press Release Researchers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and
The post Local Agriculture Experts Ramp up Wheat Research in Belize – Intensive Varietal Trial to be Launched appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
