By Zoila Palma: Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson visited Jamaica last week to explore the potential of cultivating Wambugu apples in Belize.
Minister Ferguson also visited the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Jamaica to examine research into the tropical fruit.
Ferguson believes the research could provide a blueprint for Caribbean countries seeking to diversify agricultural production and strengthen food security.
During his October 1 visit to CASE, Ferguson inspected the Wambugu apple and expressed interest in the possibility of producing apples in tropical climates, the Jamaica Observer reports.
He noted that apples are traditionally associated with colder regions and are largely imported into Belize from countries such as the United States and Canada.
Ferguson said growing apples locally could reduce reliance on imports while creating new opportunities for farmers and agricultural businesses. He also called for greater investment in agricultural research, pointing to Brazil as an example of how innovation and research can help countries achieve food self-sufficiency while expanding their agricultural exports.
The minister was accompanied during the visit by Senior Advisor Hugh O’Brien, Latoya Panton, managing director of Summit Apple Orchards and My Jamaican Food Forest, which imports and distributes Wambugu apples from Kenya to Jamaica and other Caribbean markets.
Panton said the variety has been performing well in Jamaica, with farmers and backyard gardeners successfully cultivating the fruit, and expressed hope that production can eventually be scaled up to commercial levels across the Caribbean.
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By Zoila Palma: Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson visited Jamaica last week to explore the potential of cultivating Wambugu apples in Belize. Minister Ferguson also visited the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Jamaica to examine research into the tropical fruit. Ferguson believes the research could provide a blueprint for Caribbean countries seeking
The post Minister of Agriculture eyes Wambugu Apple research for local production appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.