Belize Seeks More Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment

Belize’s farmers could soon benefit from another major round of climate-resilient investment. Prime Minister John Briceño says he used his meetings in Bangkok to explore an extension of the World Bank’s fifty-million-dollar Climate Resilient Agriculture Project. World Bank representatives are expected in Belize shortly to assess what the first initiative delivered, identify areas that still need support and determine whether additional funding should follow. For the agricultural sector, that review could decide whether farmers receive further assistance to withstand extreme weather, protect production and strengthen the country’s food security.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño 

“We had this small loan from the World Bank for agriculture whereby we are working with our small farmers, to be able to adapt to the changes in the climate and how they can use technology to be better and adapt. The problem was again, and I pointed out to both vice presidents of the World Bank when we met with them is that these IFIs impose some very difficult restrictions and also the processes they put in place. It is very difficult to do everything they ask of us within the time frame they give us. Now that we have managed to get all the kinks out of the way, and now that we have that and getting the loans out this project is coming to an end in next year of march. So we are telling them we need to extend that loan. We had to make extensive discussion and point out the reason why we need the extension. So a World Bank team is going to come next week, to be able to take a first hand look, the project, how it is being implemented, the successes we have been having and the importance of why we need the expand the time for that project.”

 

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