Modern Technology Training Set to Lift Belize’s Livestock Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture has teamed up with Mexico to strengthen local expertise in livestock production, launching a week-long, hands-on training program at the Cayo Central Farm. The focus is on modernizing reproductive technology for cattle and small ruminants, tools that could significantly boost productivity across the country. Extension officers, university field technicians, and livestock specialists are all in the field, learning practical techniques they can take straight back to farmers. And this isn’t just theory. Participants are working through real-world applications, from improving forage management to developing better feeding systems that support healthier, more productive animals. They’re also diving into nutritional conditioning, key to improving both the quality and output of meat and milk production. Agriculture Minister Rodwell Ferguson officially opened the training, stressing the importance of investing in the people who work closely with farmers. Minister of State Alex Balona also attended, signaling strong government backing for the initiative. But at its core, this program is about building capacity, reducing inefficiencies, improving yields, and helping farmers get better results. And with support from the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), this partnership highlights a shared commitment: bringing innovation to agriculture and strengthening Belize’s long-term food security.

Belize Pushes to Restore Duty-Free Access for Booming Beef Exports

 

Meanwhile, Belizean beef is already making its mark in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, and demand keeps growing. But according to former Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, the real focus right now is much closer to home. He says securing duty-free access to Mexico is critical, especially after that agreement expired at the end of 2025. The government is now pushing to renew the deal, and early signs from Mexico look promising.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Former Minister of Agriculture

“Mexico imports from Central America and then they supply the local market, their national market, and then our beef is in there. But I understand that our beef is going to Canada now, Canada and the US, our animals, the cut from our animals go into US and Canada. So, the demand is there. What is important for us to do right now is to follow up on the extension of the tariff-free status we had for cattle. You would recall when President AMLO visited Belize, he signed this law that Belize would have duty-free access to Mexico, fifteen percent duty free. Well, that ended in December 2025. So, the Prime Minister is working on that, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I know that they have gotten a very positive response from President Sheinbaum that she will extend that benefit to Belize.”

 

If that extension comes through, it could give Belizean producers a much-needed competitive edge and open the door for even greater exports.

 

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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