Value-Added Agriculture Could Transform Belize’s Economy

Belize’s agricultural sector could be on the verge of a major transformation. As the government looks beyond traditional exports, Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson says the key lies in adding value to products already being produced locally. With Belize’s cattle herd growing and demand for Belizean beef increasing abroad, Ferguson says a local beef processing industry could unlock new markets, create jobs and position the country as a major supplier across the Caribbean and beyond. Here’s more from the Minister of New Growth Industry.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of New Growth Industry 

“As I assume the responsibility, right away I took on my thinking cap and figure out what we can do, because Belize have the potential to supply the entire CARICOM and likewise the Central American market and beyond. And so my biggest priority was the beef industry, because we are selling cattle on the hoof to Guatemala and Mexico. There’s a signed agreement in Mexico that we must supply at least ten thousand heads per year. That will be maintained. But of late, our cattle herd has reached two hundred and twenty thousand and so if we can have a beef processing plant in Belize, then that can be accommodated, and we can start to sell beef cuts. Many countries are already asking us when are we going to be ready to be able to sell them beef cuts. As Belizean, because we have quality products and we have Caribbean chicken, then we consume a lot of chicken. But many other countries around the world consume beef and pork more than chicken. So if we can supply those market, it will be good for the Belizean industry.”

 

Minister Ferguson recently challenged policy makers at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica to do more to support products from within CARICOM.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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