By Belize Live News Staff: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, is on the ground in southern Belize this week, touring citrus and coconut farms to get a firsthand look at the challenges and opportunities in two of the country’s key agricultural sectors.
The tour is aimed at evaluating the citrus industry’s recovery progress and better understanding what farmers and processors need to keep the sector moving forward. From aging trees to market access and disease management, citrus farmers continue to face hurdles, and Minister Mai is working with stakeholders to explore viable support and modernization strategies.
Meanwhile, the coconut farm visits are focused on assessing the current acreage under cultivation, production yields, and the unique challenges coconut growers face—particularly around market access, pest control, and climate-related stressors.
Minister Mai is accompanied by CEO Servulo Baeza and Senior Adviser Hugh O’Brien as part of a wider effort by the Ministry to ensure policy decisions are informed by on-the-ground realities. The tour underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing Belize’s agriculture through smart technology, improved extension services, and farmer consultation.
Both sectors play an important role in rural livelihoods and food security, and with renewed support and engagement, they could see a path toward greater sustainability and profitability in the years ahead.
