By Belize Live News Staff: A delegation of 15 vegetable producers and six MAFSE technicians, led by Minister José Abelardo Mai, is on a two-day visit to Poptún, Petén, Guatemala, to explore advanced potato farming practices and new varieties aimed at the processing market. Senior Technical Advisor Hugh O’Brien and District Agriculture Officer Sergio Hernandez (Orange Walk) are also part of the team.
The initiative targets solutions for long-standing challenges with potato and carrot oversupply in Belize, which often leads to market difficulties and losses for farmers. By learning from the success of farmers in Petén, who supply their white potatoes to major buyers like Frito-Lay for chip production, the delegation aims to evaluate the feasibility of cultivating similar varieties in Belize.
Given the shared climate and altitude similarities between Belize and Petén, there’s optimism about adapting these industrial potato varieties for Belizean soil. This move could bolster both agricultural diversity and farmer incomes, ensuring crops find a viable path to market.
Additionally, the Ministry is focused on value addition for perishable crops by promoting innovative processing and marketing strategies. These efforts are designed to reduce waste, improve profitability, and fortify the agricultural sector as a sustainable economic pillar.
The delegation will complete its field visits and meetings in Guatemala by January 24, 2025, before returning to Belize with new insights and strategies to advance local farming practices.
