By Zoila Palma: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries (MAFSNGI) has completed a series of specialized training workshops aimed at strengthening coconut pest and disease management among farmers in the Belize and Orange Walk Districts. The initiative forms part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global “One Country One Priority Product” (OCOP) initiative, which promotes sustainable value chains for priority agricultural products.
The two-day workshops were led by the FAO’s national coconut pest and disease specialist, with technical and field support from personnel attached to MAFSNGI’s Fruit Tree Program, Research Unit and Extension Unit. Training sessions were held on September 17 and 24 in the Belize District and September 18 and 25 in Orange Walk.
More than 30 coconut farmers from each district participated in the sessions, which included female and youth farmers. The training was designed to strengthen farmers’ ability to protect coconut crops and support the continued development and sustainability of Belize’s growing coconut sector.
The workshops combined classroom-based presentations with practical field exercises, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience in detecting, identifying and managing pests and diseases affecting coconut production.
Following the completion of the Belize and Orange Walk sessions, additional training workshops are being scheduled for other districts across the country.
Coconut farmers and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate and can contact their respective district agriculture offices for information on upcoming sessions and registration.
The post Ministry of Agriculture hosts training for coconut farmers on pest and disease management appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries (MAFSNGI) has completed a series of specialized training workshops aimed at strengthening coconut pest and disease management among farmers in the Belize and Orange Walk Districts. The initiative forms part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global “One Country One Priority
The post Ministry of Agriculture hosts training for coconut farmers on pest and disease management appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
