By Belize Live News Staff: A two-day silvo-pastoral training concluded yesterday, equipping 20 local livestock farmers with valuable knowledge and skills to enhance their farming practices. Organized by the Cayo Agriculture Department, the training took place at the More Tomorrow Community and Central Farm, with extension officers Mr. Adan Velasquez and Mr. Franklin Padron leading the sessions.
The comprehensive curriculum covered essential aspects of silvo-pastoral systems, such as pasture rotation, electric and live fencing, the Voisin system, and the integration of agroforestry and fruit trees with cattle and sheep. Farmers actively participated in practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, solidifying their understanding of these sustainable farming techniques.
Silvo-pastoral systems offer a holistic approach to agriculture, combining forestry and livestock rearing for mutual benefit. This integrated approach not only increases farm productivity but also plays a vital role in mitigating climate change by improving carbon sequestration, promoting biodiversity, and reducing soil erosion.
The training emphasized the integration of fruit trees like coconuts, soursop, and others into silvo-pastoral systems. This diversification strategy, supported by expertise from the Research and Development Center, provides farmers with additional income sources and enhances the resilience of their farms to climate-related challenges.
The Cayo Agriculture Department reaffirms its dedication to empowering farmers through ongoing training and development initiatives. By promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, the department strives to build a more robust and environmentally conscious agricultural sector in Belize.
