By Belize Live New Staff: Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, actively participated in the 44th Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in San Jose, Costa Rica. Notably, he was nominated Rapporteur for the meeting, underscoring his leadership in the regional agricultural sector.
During the meeting, Minister Mai highlighted pressing issues facing Belizean and regional agriculture. He emphasized the detrimental impact of migration on Belize’s agricultural workforce, leading to production losses and increased labor costs in key crops like citrus, bananas, and sugarcane.
He also raised concerns about climate change, detailing how erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are affecting crop yields and increasing pest and disease outbreaks. Mai urged immediate action to address the spread of New World Screw Worms, a significant threat to Belize’s cattle industry, and expressed solidarity with Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
Minister Mai voiced strong support for IICA’s proposed Hemispheric Fund for Agriculture Resilience and Sustainability, aimed at bolstering regional resilience to natural disasters. He engaged in productive discussions with fellow ministers and stakeholders, exploring collaborative opportunities in research, innovation, and sustainable practices.
Accompanied by CEO Servulo Baeza, Minister Mai’s participation in the meeting demonstrates Belize’s commitment to addressing regional agricultural challenges and fostering sustainable growth in the sector.
