Experts Unite to Combat Sugarcane Wilt in Belize

Over two days, top officials and experts teamed up to tackle a growing threat to Belize’s sugar industry, sugarcane wilt. Leading the mission were Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, and CEO Carlos Pol, alongside the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, headed by Marcos Osorio. They joined forces with the Taiwan Technical Mission, IICA Belize, and the University of Belize to assess the situation on the ground in Orange Walk and Corozal. The team met with farmers, toured affected fields, and examined everything from soil health to planting practices. The assessment revealed four key causes of the wilt outbreak: climate stress, poor soil nutrients, inadequate field management, and unclean planting material. Taiwanese experts recommended quick action, introducing tissue culture, disinfecting seed cane, improving soil care, and using biological controls. They even unveiled a high-tech solution: a satellite monitoring system to detect outbreaks early. Meanwhile, the University of Belize is researching beneficial soil microbes that could help fight the disease naturally. This mission shows a united front; local and international experts working together to protect farmer livelihoods and secure a sustainable future for Belize’s sugar industry.