A major legal showdown between ASR/BSI and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association wrapped up at the High Court on Friday and the stakes couldn’t be higher. At the center of the case? A fiery dispute over a five-day factory blockade back in December 2021. B.S.I. says the association went too far by blocking deliveries to the factory, claiming the move caused serious disruptions, not just to their operations, but also to Belcogen’s. Now, they’re seeking millions in damages. Over three days, the High Court judge heard arguments from all sides: B.S.I.’s legal team, the cane farmers’ attorneys, and even the Government of Belize. With arguments now closed, the sugar industry is holding its breath, waiting for a ruling that could reshape farmer-factory relations for years to come. And this morning, Agriculture Minister Jose Mai weighed in, sharing his thoughts on what’s at stake.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“I think that the industry needs energy focused in the right direction. So going to court fighting over, quarreling over things that probably do not bring any positive changes to the industry has to change. We cannot continue like that. We cannot continue operating divided. We cannot continue operating when there’s total, complete lack of confidence from both stakeholders, the farmers and the miller. And so, I think that some serious reflection needs to be done on how we can move the industry forward.”
While the United Democratic Party is preparing a united response to Monday’s national budget presentation, Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt is already sounding the alarm on one key issue: agriculture. Speaking with the media today, Patt, who is also a cane farmer, said his biggest concern lies with the struggling sugar industry. He pointed to low yields, falling prices, and what he described as a “bleak outlook” at the end of this year’s crop season. Though the U.D.P. plans to present a collective position on the budget, Patt made it clear that for him, the future of Belize’s farmers, especially in the north, must be a top priority.
Hugo Patt, Area Representative, Corozal North
“The Leader of the Opposition will call – during the course of the two weeks, will be calling meetings to basically discuss the budget in its entirety. And so, areas of interest will be basically assigned to all five of us in the host. And so based on the decision that is taken there, and of course with the guidance and the leader for our part leader, we will present the points that we need to present during the days that we will have the budget issue.”
Marion Ali
“Does anything stand out at you at this particular point?”
Hugo Patt
“Well, my interest has always been agriculture, and so, if you ask me now, I mean the sugar industry is in a state of disrepair. So it is really concerning what is happening now, given that one, we do not have the kind of production that we had expected. Secondly, there is a huge shortage of labor. And thirdly, there is the issue of the price that we are seeing very low. I’m just concerned for many of my farmer colleagues who I feel at the end of the day – banks will just pull in on them or whenever the final payment is made, they will stay without any money.”
A new Commission of Inquiry report on Belize’s sugar industry is calling for sweeping reforms and Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt is all for it. The report recommends a series of changes aimed at leveling the playing field between cane farmers and factory owners, ensuring both sides earn fair income for their contributions. Among the key proposals: giving the Sugar Industry Authority more power and resources to lead the sector into a more sustainable future. Patt, himself a cane farmer, says he fully supports the move. He believes empowering the SIA is a critical step toward fixing long-standing issues and securing the future of the industry. With the sugar belt facing low yields and falling prices, these recommendations could mark a turning point if they’re put into action.
Hugo Patt
Hugo Patt, Area Representative, Corozal North
“I perused quite a number of recommendations made. Certain things we do agree with and certain things you know, we have to allow the government to decide. Remember this is a multi-sectorial aspect, and so I don’t think it’s gonna be an easy decision-making. There are certain things that will affect the millers. There are certain things that are being recommended that will affect the farmers.”
Marion Ali
“What part do you agree with?”
Hugo Patt
“ In terms of when you’re looking at the body that will basically oversee the industry. I think the Prime Minister mentioned about the Sugar National Authority, It will be interesting to see how that that will evolve. I believe that if given that teeth, if you may call it, I think that authority can play a major role in determining the forward. But as I said, the sugar industry and can be very dynamic, and so I would rather wait to see how, how it plays out.”
Previously, we introduced you to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Junior and Woman Farmer of the Year, Juan Carillo and Noemi Requena. Tonight, we journey to Consejo Village in the Corozal district, where we meet Gregorio Esquivel, Belize’s Senior Farmer of the Year. With over three decades of farming experience, Esquivel’s farm is a testament to dedication and diversity, boasting a rich variety of mixed produce. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us an exclusive look at his thriving agricultural haven.
Gregorio Esquivel
Gregorio Esquivel, Senior Farmer of the Year
“I’m very proud and happy. My family is happy that hard work paid off. I’ve been working since I was twenty, and now I got the chance to win, and I’m very happy and I am, and my family’s proud of me, and when I got the news that I won farmer of the year, so I was excited.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Meet Gregorio Esquivel, the forty-four-year-old who’s just been crowned Belize’s 2025 Senior Farmer of the Year. Gregorio calls Consejo Village home, and he’s been nurturing a diverse array of crops there for over three decades. His farming adventure kicked off when he took the reins of his father’s farm, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Gregorio Esquivel
“I started farming since I was like twenty years old when my dad got he used to be the farmer before, so I like farming. So I enjoy farming, and I decided to be a farmer.”
Esquivel currently farms on about sixty-seven acres of land, thirty of which he developed for mix farming. This includes crops livestock and beekeeping.
Gregorio Esquivel
“Here at the farm, we got a hundred acres of farm of land. We got all type of trees, and we got tomatoes, sweet corn, lime trees. We got watermelon, we got citrus. We got cattle. And we got all kind of things at the farm.”
Britney Gordon
“So you have crops, livestock, agriculture and honey, I hear.”
Gregorio Esquivel
“Oh yes. And I have honey here and but people here in Corozal know my honey, Esquivel and Son’s honey. And we are beekeepers too. We do honey and livestock and vegetables.”
Gregorio Esquivel’s farm is bustling with about fifty heads of cattle, mostly the sturdy American Brahman breed. But recently, he’s added some variety with the introduction of the Red Angus breed, led by a bull he fondly calls Keith.
Gregorio Esquivel
“He’s approximately like one year and a half right now. So he’s not ready for breeding. Like in two, one year more he will be ready for the herd.”
Esquivel’s days begin at five a.m., when he and his family start their work on the farm. The farm has been around since the sixties, and it brings him joy to continue to care for it with his loved ones.
Gregorio Esquivel
“The best part is, early in the morning, me and my dad and my brother and nephews come in the farm and feed the animals. We give water to the animals. We see our produce grow and we see the hard work we do every day when you are harvesting, you know you have a good, healthy vegetable, good healthy animals, you know it’s paying off.”
One of the biggest hurdles Esquivel has faced is the unpredictable weather brought on by climate change. But he’s tackled this challenge head-on with a smart irrigation system that pumps water from a well sixty-three feet underground. It’s innovative solutions like this that keep his farm flourishing, no matter what Mother Nature throws his way.
Gregorio Esquivel
“The challenge is sometimes the climate change, the weather sometimes we get lot of rain. It rain all day and all night. Sometimes, like now, right now we are at the dry season and we have the pasture is dry. So we need to plant corn to feed our animals.”
Even with challenges like climate change and the pesky threat of screwworm, Esquivel remains a beacon of encouragement. He’s cheering on every aspiring farmer to chase their dreams and keep pushing towards their goals.
Britney Gordon
“What would you say to other farmers who are hoping to be one day honored with the title of Farmer of the Year? How would you encourage them?”
Gregorio Esquivel
“I encourage them to keep working and never give up. And someday, once you plant more and someday they’re gonna win. Never give up.”
This year’s theme for the competition is “Integrating Sustainable Food Systems: Mitigating Climate Change, Strengthening Agricultural Resilience.” Britney Gordon for News Five.
Afterthe Farmers of the Year were announced, the social media platform Hot off the Press questioned the award given to Noemi Requena as Woman Farmer of the Year. The post suggested that Requena didn’t own a farm and was awarded simply because she is the sister of a government minister. News Five visited Requena at her farm in Cattle Landing and aired the story on Tuesday night. Today, her brother, Minister Oscar Requena, shared his thoughts, calling the post unkind and unfair to a woman who has worked hard on her farm. He emphasized that he didn’t even know she had been selected for the title. The Minister also highlighted that the recognition of all three Farmers of the Year reflects their dedication and hard work.
On the Phone: Oscar Requena
On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Minister of Education
“We grew up doing agriculture and, you know, even after this day, I do agriculture, practicing sustainable, agricultural techniques. And I’m happy that my sister has followed suit, and I want to say that I’m very glad that News Five saw it fit to run the story, based on your independent research and verification, that indeed she has a farm and that she works very hard. Sadly, you have some media houses, and I want to particularly call out and single out Hot Off the Press. I think they were very, very – they did a disservice to somebody who has really worked hard and dedicated her life to agriculture, but we live in a world where, many times things are not fair. At the end of the day, I think she has proven herself and her record is there to speak and there is nothing to hide, as the minister responsible for that area. And certainly, her being my sister, I never knew that she was even being considered as the Woman Farmer of the Year, so it was a surprise to me.”
Each year, the National Agriculture and Trade Show Committee selects a woman farmer of the year. This person needs to meet a list of criteria to even be considered for the prestigious recognition. Noemi Requena is the committee’s pick for 2025 and as we found out, she did not only meet the requirements but surpassed them. Requena, as we learned, is a full-time manager of a business, but for the past several years, she has been successfully juggling full-time employment with diversified farming, voluntarily training young farmers in sustainable farming techniques, while still looking after her family. She was happy to give us a tour of her farm when we visited on Saturday. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Noemi Requena
Noemi Requena, Woman Farmer of the Year, 2025
“Compost material – what I do, I practice a lot of composting, so I make my own compost.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Noemi Requena of Punta Gorda is this year’s Woman Farmer of the Year. She attained that recognition by farming and managing a three-acre plot of land on an eight-acre ranch in Cattle Landing Village, a few miles out of the town. We visited Requena on Saturday, which was coincidentally her birthday. We found her busily caring for the crops and animals that she grows there.
Noemi Requena
“We would come early in the morning, sometimes at five in the morning and we start to water our plants. After finishing the watering, we feed our chickens, then our pigs, ensure the animals all the feed and water they need. We would harvest what needs to be harvested, then we start preparing beds to put in a new crop, different than what we had there.”
Requena farms on a three-acre plot of land, but she has an impressive line of crops that she harvests there.
Noemi Requena
“We have coconuts, plantain, banana, okra, tomato, I have protein banks for my livestock. I have the nacedero and I have the mulberry bank. I have sweet potato – the two varieties.”
The system of farming Requena uses is called “mixed farming,” rotating the spots.
Marion Ali
“Why is it important to rotate?
Noemi Requena
“Because the different crops that we have draw different amounts of nutrients from the soil. So you don’t want to be using the same nutrients on the same crop. For example, where I harvested corn, I’m going to plant beans. Why, because beans gives back legume nitrogen to our soil. If we give back the nutrients to our soil, we can use the same area over and over.”
This type of farming does not only keep the soil nutrient-rich but also promotes space efficiency.
Noemi Requena
“I constantly hear people say “Oh, I don’t have land. We need ten acres; we need 150 acres.” In my opinion and experience, we can produce food and make an income out of a small area, as I have.”
For her, the added income from her farm helps to educate her three children. The 2025 Woman Farmer of the Year is assisted by her common-law husband, Evan Williams, who also has a full-time job elsewhere. We found him plowing when we showed up and asked him thereafter to explain that process to us.
Evan Williams
Evan Williams, Common-law husband, Noemi Requena
“That job is necessary to aerate the soil and then loosen up the soil. So, the plants have no struggle getting it roots down, anchoring itself. We are preparing for yams. It’s better known as purple yams; iIt’s a tumor; it bears the fruit under the ground, so that’s why we are plowing the place, so if the soil is more loose, we get a bigger yield.”
About ten years ago, Requena earned a scholarship to take an agriculture course in the U.S. That was where she learned the basics of efficiently using the intercropping technique. Now she uses what she has learned to teach others during whatever spare time her full-time job, the family, and farming allows. A part of the farm system that Requena uses is solar-powered irrigation.
Noemi Requena
“We have a solar powered well, so we have two solar panels that pump our water from the well spot to the farm. And we have a small generator that gives us the pressure to be able to water our plants.”
Like with every other farmer, there are challenges that Requena faces. She must constantly find a way to naturally eliminate pests and to create proper drainage. And she uses all organic fertilizers that she also makes. A plus for her is that she uses pepper and cassava she harvests to make value-added products, such as pepper sauces and cassava dough. It is these kinds of efficient farming practices that the Director of Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, Andre Mejia, told us impressed the judges who selected her for the award. He says Requena satisfied the rigorous criteria.
Andrew Mejia
Andrew Mejia, Director of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture
“The judges go there, they ask questions to ensure that that is the actual farmer. No one can be a farmer of the year if they’re not the actual farmer, or if the crops on the ground are not for them. The criteria calls that she must be making a percentage of income from the farm and what she wowed the judges with is all the activities that she has going on.”
Noemi Requena
“I want us to use this platform to encourage other females that yes, we can do whatever we put our minds to, and I relate it to us being mothers to care for the little plants. We are mothers, we care for our babies, and that is what our plants need. We transplant them with care, we see them grow and they give us fruit, food, which is life.”
Noemi Requena will be presented with her prizes as Woman Farmer of the Year at the National Agriculture and Trade Show, set for May 30, 31 and June 1. Reporting for News Five, I’m Marion Ali.
The National Agriculture and Trade Show is scheduled for May thirtieth to June 1st, and Belizeans from across the country are gearing up to offer amazing deals on their products. Booth space is in high demand—every slot available has eager vendors ready to grab it. But when applications come in too late, hopeful participants are placed on a waiting list, with the chance of getting in only if someone from the main list drops out. One of those hopefuls is Chef Tim August, known for his signature breadfruit fries. Breadfruit, a locally grown staple, is also a key ingredient in his new combo chip bags. Though his application missed the deadline, August believes his unique offerings deserve serious consideration for a spot at the show.
Tim August
Tim August, Chef
“I should be there. This is where we showcase what we have in Belize, not only phones and auto and this and that. I want to go there and you see, I have my product right here. I want to showcase what we can do with our cultural produce in Belize as opposed to just having them fall under the tree and rot.”
Marion Ali
What do you do?
Tim August
“Right now, I have an ital mix here, which is a mixture of sweet potato, plantain, cassava, coco fries, but breadfruit season will be in by the end of May, so I’m sure that I’ll be able to have some breadfruit to showcase at the National Agriculture Show. I really want to do it because it’s taking traction and I really want more Belizeans to start eating breadfruit because it’s local, it’s cheaper and it’s here in abundance. So we need to start using it more.”
Marion Ali
“But why would spacing not be an issue for you?
Tim August
“Well, I have a food truck, which is only 18 foot, and I’m sure that there’s a lot of grounds, but because of the sectioning and this and that, that they did, I believe, you know, they’d want to see if somebody else would come out, so they could put me in.”
While August argues that he promotes all agricultural products, Director of the Extension Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Andrew Mejia says that spacing has been an issue for many years. Hence, he advises that early applications are important in securing a spot at the trade show. Mejia explains that there are different spaces allotted for different purposes.
Andrew Mejia, Director, Extension Dept., Ministry of Agriculture
“Every year there’s a waiting list and there’s a deadline for when. Um, they, they can pay and secure those spaces. And when those spaces, when not the line comes and the spaces are not secured, then they’re given to those who are on the waiting list. So, in that situation, it’s nothing new. It happens every year. The committee looks at who is next in line, the spaces that are available because the spaces are different. We have spaces for large companies. We have spaces for people who just want to lay a towel on the ground and place their products, and we also have spaces for those who sell beverages, who sell food, and those who also want to display what they’re doing. Spaces are always limited at their natural agriculture and trade show, so we always encourage people to come and apply early, you know, as early as January if possible.”
Belize’s agricultural sector is getting a major boost from the Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program. This initiative is transforming sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of rural communities. By advancing entrepreneurship and market access, FO4ACP helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability. Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. This program is making Belize’s agricultural sector more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program is a game-changer for Belize’s agricultural sector. It boosts sustainable development and significantly improves the livelihoods of rural communities. FO4ACP advances entrepreneurship and market access by creating fair value chains and offering business development services. This initiative helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability while supporting business growth.
Servulo Baeza, C.E.O., Ministry of Agriculture
“Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved with FO4ACP, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. Participants in projects like the drone training have included farmers, extension officers, and members of the cooperative department.”
FO4ACP focuses on empowering Farmers’ Organizations to deliver economic services, create a better business environment, and support institutional development. This initiative strengthens Belize’s agricultural sector, making it more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges.
Pedro Boareto, Food & Agriculture Organization
“This initiative highlights something that we in the FAO believe and are advocating for, in terms of the needs that we have and the strengthening of the farmers’ organization’s capacity and the role, the crucial role that we have in the different territories and how it’s important to provide the conditions that you lead the transformations that we need to face the challenges that we have in terms of climate change and inequalities. It’s in the farmers organizations that we can find the solutions to transform our production in a sustainable manner.”
The program fosters collaboration among governments, stakeholders, and partners to develop a unified sub-regional policy and program. This teamwork creates a supportive environment for agricultural growth and ensures policies meet farmers’ needs.
Servulo Baeza
“At the Ministry of Agriculture, we support smallholders a hundred percent. Our ministry has specific goals and objectives which include boosting agricultural output and efficiency, encouraging investment in the agricultural and food sectors, fostering private sector participation in agribusiness, creating an environment that supports competitive agricultural practices and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and ensure long-term viability.”
FO4ACP prioritizes knowledge management by mapping, capitalizing, disseminating, and supporting the scaling up of existing and new information. This approach keeps farmers informed about best practices and innovations, boosting their productivity and sustainability.
Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Cooperatives
“Locally, there has been several investments made within our cooperatives. We have had capacity building activities where our farmers have received training, not just on the production side, but also on the entrepreneurial development side. We have had farmers participate in exchange visits to other countries where the project is being implemented and we have had farmers from those countries also visit Belize. It is an exchange of information and an exchange of best practices.”
FO4ACP champions sustainable food and agricultural principles, which are crucial for Belize as it grapples with climate change and environmental sustainability. By adopting climate-smart practices, farmers can boost their resilience and productivity. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced its 2025 Farmers of the Year, just in time for the National Agriculture and Trade Show. These awards celebrate farmers for their dedication to food security and innovative practices. Today, we visited San Lazaro Village to chat with the Junior Farmer of the Year, twenty-five-year-old Juan Carillo. Juan dropped out of high school at fifteen to help with the family farm. At eighteen, he left to try another job, but less than a year ago, his younger brother convinced him to return as a business partner. Now, the Carillo brothers are making waves in the agriculture sector. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Twenty-five-year-old Juan Carillo from San Lazaro has snagged the title of 2025 Junior Farmer of the Year. Carillo and his two brothers oversee more than a hundred acres of farmland in their village.
Juan Carillo
Juan Carillo, Junior Farmer of the Year
“What we do here is plant vegetables and work with the livestock also. I get into farming since I was twelve years old. I started farming with my dad. He left and I left too. I came back when I was fifteen and started on my own. I left studying and did it on my own. I did it for two or three year and one day my little brother called me and said he want to do it again and I said let us do it and here we are working together.”
The brothers have more than twenty sheep on their farm. They are well taken care of, with plenty of land to graze on, and are sold based on demand. When their owner calls out to them, the sheep come forward eagerly. The cows, initially far off, also come running when called.
Paul Lopez
“You said that at the age of fifteen you did not want to continue school anymore.”
Juan Carillo
“I did not like it, so I just drop off.”
Paul Lopez
“What is your thoughts on going to school to learn. Do you feel like you need to go?”
Juan Carillo
“Actually, I don’t feel like I need to go to learn. It is like other students, when they go to study agriculture if they go to study and don’t practice, they don’t know anything.”
Juan’s brother, Amin Carillo, persuaded him to come back to farming less than a year ago. At the time, both brothers lived away from the community. When their grandfather, who originally owned the farm, fell ill, someone needed to step in. Now, Juan and Amin are business partners, working together to keep the family farm thriving.
Amir Carillo
Amir Carillo, Farmer, San Lazzaro
“First of all I give thanks to the lord that we have this opportunity. We have my grandfather and father that teach us how to do agriculture.”
Paul Lopez
“Your brother received the Junior Farmer of the Year Award, but as he pointed out it is a team effort. Talk about how proud you are of him.”
Amir Carillo
“I am proud, because two of us are working good. We don’t argue, we don’t fight. We find this work fun. Sometimes when we are transplanting we said, let us race, who good do it faster.”
The soursop trees produce huge fruits that even the birds can’t resist. To keep the birds away, the brothers placed a pair of sunshades on one of the fruits. They’ve harvested over a thousand pounds of tomatoes and hundreds of pounds of cabbage. More than two thousand seedlings are ready for transplanting. Watermelon seedlings are already in the ground, and hundreds of sweet pepper plants are starting to bear vegetables. The farm also grows corn, cucumber, cilantro, and habanero peppers.
Paul Lopez
“What is the hardest thing about this job?”
Juan Carillo
“The hardest thing? Well I don’t think nothing is hard.”
More impressive than the vegetables they grow and the livestock they raise are Juan Carillo’s exceptional record-keeping skills. He meticulously tracks everything they cultivate, all sales to the market, and even anticipates future market needs. Additionally, the brothers’ advanced irrigation system plays a crucial role in their efforts to combat climate change.
Juan Carillo
“For me it is an honor for being the junior farmer of the year and my family is so proud of me.”
Paul Lopez
“What would you say was the main reasons why you got this award?”
Juan Carillo
“A part of the vegetables we have, they were seeing how we work and record keeping too. Like, let us say if you plant cabbage, you plant this amount, and when you sell, you have to see how much you spend, how much you make and from there you will see how much you win or how much you lose.”
Amir Carillo
“If God give us the life and the opportunity, my brother and I, this is our life, we love this so, I don’t think we will quit planting.”
