By Belize Live News Staff: The Government of Belize has launched the second phase of the “Vanilla Training for Women and Girls in the West and South of Belize” project in Belmopan. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Investment through the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU) and supported by various government and international partners, aims to provide economic opportunities for women through vanilla cultivation.
Thirty women from the Cayo District have been selected for specialized training in growing and harvesting vanilla. The program will provide them with hands-on instruction on propagating and managing vanilla vines, along with guidance on harvesting and post-harvest treatment. Each participant will receive ten vanilla cuttings to cultivate in their home gardens. Additionally, the project will establish the country’s second public vanilla propagation nursery, further strengthening Belize’s growing vanilla industry.
Vanilla, native to Belize, is the second most valuable spice in the world, with demand spanning the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors. The government recognizes the potential for Belizean-grown vanilla in the international market and is investing in training programs to equip local farmers, particularly women, with the skills needed to tap into this opportunity.
The launch event in Belmopan was attended by key officials, including Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport Rodwell Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer Valentino Shal, and representatives from the Taiwan Technical Mission, National Women’s Commission, and Department of Youth Services. Christopher and Eleanor Nesbitt of Belize Permaculture & Renewable Energy Ltd. will serve as instructors for the program, ensuring participants receive expert guidance in this specialized field.
