In Belize, an abundance of carrots, especially noticeable in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts, is leading to a crisis for local farmers. With a market flooded by both an oversupply of local produce and competition from cheaper, imported Mexican carrots, farmers are facing challenges in selling their harvests. Sabino Yam from Patchakan Village voices a common concern among growers, highlighting difficulties in finding buyers for their crops.
The Ministry of Agriculture attributes the oversupply to a convergence of harvests caused by delayed planting schedules due to drought conditions in 2023. Andrew Mejia, acting director of extensions, points to this timing as the root of the current market glut. Contrary to the farmers' concerns regarding contraband Mexican carrots, Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, assures that no import permits are issued during the local harvest season and emphasizes the ministry's efforts to combat illegal imports alongside customs and immigration agencies.
In an innovative move to address the carrot surplus, the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) has partnered with Silk Grass Farms to produce all-natural carrot juice. This initiative aims to provide a new outlet for the excess carrots, offering a product that embodies Belizean agricultural pride and supports local farmers.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Agriculture is focusing on diversification as a strategy for agricultural stability. A visit to Guatemala by a delegation led by Minister Mai explored new farming practices and crop varieties. Among the initiatives is the introduction of new potato varieties suitable for processing, aiming to reduce dependency on single crops and mitigate issues of oversupply and market saturation.
The ministry's efforts towards diversification and value addition to perishable crops represent a vision for a more resilient agricultural sector in Belize. As the country embraces initiatives like carrot juice production, it underscores the importance of innovation and support for farmers in navigating the challenges of the agricultural market.
Source: Channel 5 Belize