Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai emphasizes Youth Engagement and Climate Resilience at Youth and Agriculture Forum

Posted: Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 1:34 pm CST.

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai at the Climate Week: Youth and Agriculture Forum in Orange Walk on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 – Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, acknowledged the presence of farmers, producers, vendors, researchers, technicians, students, finance officers, and investors at the Climate Week: Youth and Agriculture Forum being held in Orange Walk. The forum, themed ‘Climate Action: Driving Advocacy, Promoting Inclusivity, and Inspiring Innovation,’ has brought together key stakeholders from the agriculture sector.

Minister Mai emphasized the critical role they all play in ensuring food security, job security for a quarter of the workforce, and contributing nearly 20% to Belize’s economic stability.

“We not only guarantee food security for this country but also ensure job security for a quarter of the working force and almost 20% of economic stability for Belize,” Minister Mai said.

“It is for these and several other reasons we felt it necessary to prioritize sustainable and resilient agriculture within our Plan Belize mandate.”

Highlighting the sector’s growth and diversification over the past four years, Minister Mai also addressed the challenges posed by climate change. He noted that climate variability impacts agricultural practices, including soil fertility, pest and disease control, and water management. The sector faces threats from higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more frequent droughts and floods, making it essential to work collaboratively.

Climate Week: Youth and Agriculture Forum – Photo Credit: MAFSE

Minister Mai praised the youth’s dedication to agriculture despite the distractions of social media and other interests. He mentioned the success of a recent five-day agriculture summer camp, which engaged over 100 young participants in hands-on activities and educational field trips. The camp focused on sustainable farming practices, livestock management, crop production, and agro-processing, equipping the youth with practical skills and knowledge.

Mai also recognized the young workforce in the world of enterprise.

“A recent report has shown that Business Process Outsourcing  (BPOs) operations have become a dominant employer in the country, employing approximately 16,000 people, most of these are young, educated, and multilingual people,” he said.

“Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language, making Belize a coveted destination for English and bilingual BPOs.”

The forum, a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change (MSDCC), provides a platform for discussing climate change issues and fostering dialogue and knowledge sharing. Minister Mai stressed the importance of youth engagement and listening to their perspectives on building resilience in the agriculture sector.

In closing, Minister Mai encouraged participants to use the forum to complement existing actions and ensure a sustainable and resilient agriculture sector. He wished everyone a dynamic and effective Youth and Agriculture Forum.

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The post Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai emphasizes Youth Engagement and Climate Resilience at Youth and Agriculture Forum appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 1:34 pm CST. Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai at the Climate Week: Youth and Agriculture Forum
The post Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai emphasizes Youth Engagement and Climate Resilience at Youth and Agriculture Forum appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.