Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker).

As we provide the news for free, we are relying on revenues from our banners. So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.
Thanks!

Click here for a guide on disabling your adblocker.

Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

Belize's government aims to revive declining citrus and banana industries

The Belize government is looking to rejuvenate the declining citrus and banana sectors. Recent data from the Statistical Institute of Belize indicates a drop in output for both commodities. Despite this, in November 2021, banana earnings increased to $5.6 million from $4.6 million in 2022, while citrus also saw a $0.4 million increase compared to 2022. Both industries have traditionally been significant foreign income sources for Belize, but exports have sharply declined.

Agriculture Minister, Jose Mai, acknowledges that while efforts are underway to address these challenges, recovery will take time. Mai highlighted multiple issues impacting the industries, including disease, climate change, and the high rate of fertilization required for bananas. Climate change has also impacted both industries, further complicating recovery efforts. He also revealed the appointment of a task force to assess the citrus situation and make recommendations. Mai expressed hope that the weather conditions and decreasing fertilizer prices would help control the banana sector's challenges.

Mai claims the previous administration neglected the agriculture sector. He emphasized the government's current efforts to work with southern farmers to diversify their crops.


Source: lovefm.com

Publication date: