Minister Jose Mai calls for stronger regional cooperation in Agriculture at International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health Meeting

Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2025. 1:25 pm CST.

Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE)

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, welcomed regional minister of agriculture attending the International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health-International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (CIRSA-OIRSA) Meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, calling for stronger regional efforts to protect livestock and crops while ensuring food security.

In accepting the pro tempore presidency of CIRSA, Minister Mai emphasized the shared responsibility of agricultural leaders.

“Today we meet not only as representatives of our respective countries but as allies in the common mission to strengthen the agricultural sector, promote sustainable livestock farming, and, above all, protect our natural resources from the threats posed by diseases and pests that affect our crops and animals,” he said.

Mai then highlighted the need for countries to work together.

“The key to success in development efforts is teamwork, and the agricultural sector is no exception,” he said, pointing to regional collaboration as a way to improve productivity and tackle shared challenges.

“Through regional cooperation and by combining of our knowledge and experiences, we can find innovative and effective solutions to improve the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of our agro-livestock economies,” Minister Mai emphasized.

One of the key concerns at the meeting was the New World Screwworm (NWS), a destructive livestock pest affecting rural economies. Mai noted ongoing coordination between the CIRSA-OIRSA members, as well as partnerships with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

“Thanks to collective commitment and action, we have put in place surveillance programs, trained producers, and strengthened control measures—with the hope that eradication may be possible in the future,” he said.

International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health Meeting – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE)

Belize has also been advancing agricultural research in collaboration with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF). Mai discussed work being done on a banana variety resistant to Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4), a disease threatening regional banana industries.

“This initiative with Taiwan ICDF is not only a model of innovation but also a clear example of how science and research can contribute to food security and economic development in the region,” he said. He added that trial plots have shown promising results, with 212 bunches harvested in the first round and a forecast of 237 for the second.

Belize has also been making progress in biological pest control. Mai shared figures on the country’s production of beneficial insects.

“The insectary located in Belmopan produced 367,235 specimens of Anagyrus kamali, a natural enemy of the pink mealybug, for the 2024 period. A portion of this production was sent to OIRSA member countries facing issues with this pest,” Minister Mai said.

“We also produced 461.97 grams of Crisoperla carnea eggs, a natural predator of pests like aphids, whiteflies, and thrips that damage vegetables and horticultural crops.”

Mai added that to support agricultural sustainability and reduce pesticide use, the Belmopan insectary produces Trichogramma, a parasitic wasp that helps control sugarcane borers and Lepidopteran pests.

Mai stressed that continued investment in agricultural research and policies to improve biosecurity and animal health is necessary.

“The prevention and control of diseases and pests, like NWS, must remain a priority,” he said.

“Only by working together can we ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for our nations.”

The CIRSA-OIRSA meeting will continue through Friday, April 4, focusing on strategies to protect agriculture in the region.

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The post Minister Jose Mai calls for stronger regional cooperation in Agriculture at International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health Meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2025. 1:25 pm CST. Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food
The post Minister Jose Mai calls for stronger regional cooperation in Agriculture at International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health Meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.