The Commission of Inquiry into the Sugar Cane Industry has announced that public hearings will begin in late August. The first set of hearings is scheduled from Tuesday, August 27th to Saturday, August 31st, at Escuela Secundaria Técnica México in San Roman village, Corozal District.
Key stakeholders summoned for these northern sessions include Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI), Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), Corozal Sugar Cane Farmers Association (CSCPA), Progressive Sugar Cane Farmers Association (PSCPA), Northern Sugar Cane Farmers Association (NSCFA), and various arms of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB).
After the hearings in the north, the venue will shift to the Ministry of Agriculture’s conference room at the agriculture showgrounds in Belmopan. In Belmopan, representatives from Santander Sugar, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) are expected to attend.
While the general public will not be permitted to attend the official venues, the hearings will be streamed live on the Government of Belize Press Office Facebook Page and will also be recorded. Accredited media outlets, including radio and TV stations, newspapers, and online platforms, will be allowed to attend and stream or record the proceedings in full or in part.
Media representatives interested in attending the public hearings can arrange access by contacting Mike Rudon at Tel/WhatsApp 671-0731 or Hugh O’Brien at Tel/WhatsApp 670-5865.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Sugar Cane Industry was officially established on March 19th, 2024, following the signing of a statutory instrument by Prime Minister John Briceño. The Commission’s mandate is to analyze the entire value chain of the sugar cane industry and provide recommendations on various aspects. A final report is expected to be submitted to the Government of Belize by November 30th, 2024.
The Commission is chaired by Mr. Wayne Piper and includes five Commissioners: Robert Mariette and Vinod Ramharai from Mauritius, Jeffery Joseph from Belize, Andrew Church from South Africa, and Simon Gibbons from the United Kingdom. Lorena Posada serves as the Secretary to the Commission, while Hugh O’Brien is the Lead Coordinator for the Government of Belize. The local coordinating team also includes Marcos Osorio, Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB), and Jose Novelo. Krity Neermul has been appointed Technical Coordinator to the Commission.
On Wednesday, we heard from the Director of Finance, Shawn Chavarria, on a record high second payment for sugarcane farmers. At the end of the 2023, 2024 season just over one million tons of sugarcane was delivered to the mill from which one hundred and two thousand tons of sugar were produced. But what does the future hold for the start of the 2024, 2025 season given the less-than-ideal start to the last season? That question was posed to Chavarria. Here is what he had to say.
Shawn Chavarria
Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, ASR/ BSI
“I think the probability for a smooth start for the coming 2024-2025 crop is looking more favorable. The agreement signed with the B.S.C.F.A. in January was for two crops, not just one. So, there is a better chance that there will be a smoother start this year, weather permitting. I think more you will see a challenge for the 2025-2026 crop if an agreement is not reached with the B.S.C.F.A. But, I think for this upcoming crop, it is looking more favorable that we should be able to have a smooth start without any interruptions, providing the weather is cooperating.”
And, while the sugar industry is celebrating a record second payment, with an expected increase in the third payment scheduled for November, discussions over a price increase for sugar on the local market are still ongoing. Shawn Chavarria, the Director of Finance at B.S.I., says the price of brown sugar has not been adjusted for more than two decades. He contends that sugar associations must also add their voice to the call for government to approve a price adjustment.
Shawn Chavarria
Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, B.S.I./A.S.R.
“For us it has been a bit disheartening that the increase for sugar has not occurred, particularly for brown sugar which has not been adjusted for roughly twenty-three years. We have provided economic arguments as to why we think it is needed. We presented a very rational argument to government and it was from February last year that we did so. I think the associations will have to speak up as well if they want this to happen. From the mill’s standpoint our voice is not loud enough to pound government into action. Perhaps the associations might have to take up that effort. At the end of the day we do feel that is unfair that you have a product that has not seen a price increase for over twenty years when inflation for all the inputs that we use in the production process has gone up as much as fifty percent. We do believe the price should be adjusted and even in the price structure going forward there should be something for regular review so we don’t wait for twenty plus years to be revisiting prices and making adjustments. We appreciate that politically it is always going to be a difficult and sensitive thing to do. But if you have a structure in place to ensure that the review is done regularly, it would be easier to manage.”
On Monday, August 12, 2024, a meeting was held at the Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL) Conference Room to address the future of Belize’s citrus industry. The meeting had the participation of the Minister of Agriculture, the CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture, technical personnel, representatives from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), and CPBL staff.
The discussions centred on collaborative efforts between the government, farmers, and CPBL to revive and enhance the citrus sector.
Following the meeting, attendees toured CPBL’s facilities. They visited the nursery facility, which can produce 130,000 plants and has already facilitated the planting of 177 acres of oranges. The tour also included the new coconut water processing plant, capable of processing 10,000 to 14,000 coconuts per hour.
Additionally, the group inspected the new pasteurising plant, which extends the shelf life of products, including Tetrapak Caribbean Pride juices. CPBL produces about half of these juices for export and the other half for the local market.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) and the Taiwan ICDF conducted a Sheep and Goat Parasite Management Workshop aimed at enhancing agricultural practices in Belize. The workshop was held from August 5th to 7th, 2024 at the University of Belize Central Farm Campus. The initiative equipped participants with essential skills in parasite management in sheep and goats.
Led by Daniel Juan, a seasoned sheep and goat expert from the University of Belize, the workshop focused on identifying, preventing, and treating parasitic infections such as haemonchosis and coccidiosis. The training involved 25 participants, including MAFSE extension officers, farmers, students, and technicians. The workshop also covered the economic impacts of parasites and prevention strategies.
It is anticipated that the knowledge gained by all participants will be disseminated.
Today, the Ministry of Economic Development, through its Resilient Rural Belize Program, handed over ninety-three thousand U.S. dollars’ worth of equipment to the National Meteorological Service. The donation will enhance the work of the Agrometeorological Section, allowing them to provide real-time weather information to rural farmers. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there to learn how the equipment will be used to assist the farmers.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Over the past few months, Belizeans have endured a spike in the cost of fruits and vegetables. This increase in price was due, in part, to the climate-related damages farmers have been struggling to manage. Now, with help of the National Meteorological Service, farmers will be able to better monitor weather conditions and plan accordingly to preserve their stock. Today, an array of equipment was donated to the NMS by the Ministry of Economic Development for this purpose. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon explains this strategy.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, MET
“In this particular case for twenty weather stations across the country, we have a network of over eighty weather stations but these are targeted to certain specific communities under the RRB project. So what that will do, it will enhance the capability of these stations to monitor what we call agri-med variables. Those are variables that are important for the agricultural sector, including rainfall, of course, temperature, humidity. They want to know the soil moisture and the soil temperature. And just to name a few, once you have that information, farmers will be able to plant better and be able to know what type of weather conditions are occurring in their areas.”
According to Acting C.E.O. of the Ministry of Economic Development Carlos Pol, this project was put together with the objective of addressing food insecurity. By assisting farmers with preserving their produce, the public will have access to more food at lower prices.
Carlos Pol
Carlos Pol, Acting C.E.O., Ministry of Economic Development
“So in that thinking, the government decided to put together a project that will help us with that security, addressing the farmers needs, addressing the needs of farmers to be able to remove their products from their location to the market. So this project encompasses that rehabilitation of food, assistance of farmers for them to protect their products, provide them with refrigerators and other outputs that will be able for them to store their products because we have seen how much farmers have lost in products. There’s a lot of losses. When they don’t have the proper equipment or the proper tools for them to be able to have their products and then move it to the market for it to be sold.”
The MET service will also be launching a weather app meant to offer real-time data for farmers. They will also be able to access for other risk such as pesticides and potential tropical systems.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
“If you look at the figures right now, especially the SIB reports came out for the month of June, that the price of special fruits and vegetables was very well substantial, substantially higher than last year, June. So there are many causes for that as well. But the type of services that the MET service offers is to offer information to the farmers so they can be more informed to plan when it’s time to plant when it’s the best time to plant, when it’s not the best time to plant, especially during dry season. But also, we’re talking about efficiency in terms of production. And of course, in any way to become more efficient and reducing costs because the agriculture is always something that is high risk. You have all the different risk factors coming in, not only weather, but pests and all of these things. So this is what the Met Service is offering today, especially geared to the rural farmers.”
Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, alongside senior sector officials and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), convened at the 44th Regular Meeting of the IICA Executive Committee to address the strengthening of regional agrifood systems amidst global challenges. The two-day session was hosted at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Minister Jose Abelardo Mai was recognised for his expertise and leadership, and was nominated Rapporteur at the 44th IICA Regular Meeting. Mai addressed critical issues, including the impact of migration on Belize’s agriculture. “Hurricanes damage our agrifood systems, but we must also talk about mass migration from the region, which leads to economic losses,” warned Belizean Minister José Abelardo Mai, who added the adverse effects of climate change, such as erratic rainfall and increased temperatures disrupting crop growth alongside a rise in pest and disease problems. According to Minister Mai, the spread of New World Screw Worms threatens Belize’s $90 million cattle trade with Mexico.
The meeting facilitated strategic collaborations, with Mai engaging in discussions on joint research and sustainable practices. Accompanied by CEO Servulo Baeza, Mai underscored Belize’s commitment to tackling regional agricultural challenges and supported the creation of the Hemispheric Fund for Agriculture Resilience.
The British High Commission, in partnership with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change celebrated the launch of the project “Resilient and Biodiverse Landscapes of Northern Mesoamerica,” funded through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF).
The launch event, held on July 18th, was followed by a site visit to the Valley of Peace Community Centre in Cayo District.
The project is assisting the development of a Community Climate Resilience Plan and building capacity for regenerative agriculture, fire management, and sustainable livelihoods through training, microgrants, and scholarships. These initiatives are part of the Belize Maya Forest Trust’s Community Stewards Program.
Financed by UK International Development funds from the UK Government, the BLF supports poverty reduction, biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and adaptation across six biologically diverse landscapes worldwide, including the Mesoamerica Landscape, which spans areas in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. In Belize, the BLF will invest approximately USD $3.2 million from September 2023 to October 2029. Activities are being implemented through a consortium of organizations, including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Belize Maya Forest Trust (BMFT), Programme for Belize (PfB), Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), and the Julian Cho Society. The BLF supports these organizations in protecting and conserving the Selva Maya Forest in Belize, one of the great forests of the Mesoamerica Landscape.
The program is based on four key components: securing land and resource rights, developing forest-based income streams, and implementing climate-adapted rural development with proper social safeguards; ensuring well-governed conservation areas and targeted protection activities for endangered species; building consensus, fostering multisector collaboration, and enacting policy reforms to incentivize forest protection and strengthen IPLC rights; and implementing a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess impact and guide decision-making.
On Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition weighed in on the recent spike in the cost of local vegetables. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai blames this year’s intense heat waves and heavy rainfalls. He says these climate factors have created a vegetable shortage that has led to an increase in prices on the market. But the Leader of the Opposition contends that this is just another characteristic of the Briceño administration.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“The price of rice, beans, onion, habanero, every Sunday we donate food to the vulnerable in Mesopotamia and the lady that cooks for me took care of me as a child. I still go to the home I was born in every Sunday I was I’m in the district to eat my Sunday dinner, then I go and deliver Sunday dinner. I don’t take no pictures I have graduated from that juvenile level of showing people what I am doing, but it is being done. I am a gentleman that loves my pepper but no pepper nuh deh and I can’t enjoy my one, two, three, rice and beans, chicken and salad without pepper. She says the price of habanero has risen exponentially, more than fifty percent, the price of chicken, beef, pork and other meats by thirty percent and even for salad, potato is three dollars and fifty cents, Mayo that use to be three dollars and ninety cents is ten dollars. This is the Briceño administration, things have never been worse.”
Hurricane Beryl is still over a thousand miles away from Belize, but already it is affecting business in the country. On Monday, the Belize Sugar Industries Limited stopped receiving burnt cane to prepare for the passage of the hurricane. The crop would have come to an end in the next few weeks; however, the premature closure will result in losses to cane farmers in the northern districts. B.S.I., in a press release, explained that it needed to shut down operations because it needed sufficient time to render the mill and cogeneration plants safe before the hurricane. After that two-day process, the factory must then finalize its hurricane preparations to allow employees twenty-four hours to also carry out their personal hurricane preparations. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with Alfredo Ortega, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association Vice Chairman of the Committee of Management, about the losses caused by the recent floods and the early closure caused by Beryl. We also got a word with Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai about the two situations. Here’s that report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
What began as a significant loss to canefarmers in the north, can be made worse should Hurricane Beryl cause flooding in the sugar belt which is already inundated by recent floods. Alfredo Ortega, the Vice Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s Committee of Management, tells News Five that the recent rains came at the most inopportune time for the caneros, just when Tower Hill was processing more than regular amounts.
Alfredo Ortega
Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A.
“When they started to increase their milling, it’s when the rain fell and it was so hard for the farmers to bring all that cane. And what happened also is that it increased. The amount for the farmers to bring all that in from the field because they had to use other tractors and some of them had to bring it out with the loaders and it really increased the cost for the group leaders to bring all that cane from the field and with the abrupt stuff that happened the farmers had to lift that amount of cane in the fields at which amount.”
The Minister of Agriculture anticipates that Hurricane Beryl will not cause severe flooding to exacerbate the existing problem. The wait and see, however, is causing precious time to slip by.
Voice of: Jose Abelardo Mai
Voice of: Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“I am not sure if we will have time to reopen the mill again, to be honest. From what I understand, a lot of product was lost in the flooding, and also we had to stop production, so what already had been burnt is going to be lost as people go home and prepare for the upcoming hurricane.”
Britney Gordon
“Is there any sort of figure you can give me in regards to the loss of cane?”
Voice of: Jose Abelardo Mai
“No, because yesterday when the mill closed, it was at midday. I was called by a few people – farmers expressed that they still had cane in the fields being harvested, so I asked them to try to get the cane out before the mill closes but they were struggling to get it out in the wet cane fields.”
Ortega says that the current losses caused by the floods are estimated at around two thousand tons of burnt cane alone. This is separate from cane that is still in the ground. Those losses won’t be determined until after the crop closes in a few weeks.
Alfredo Ortega
“What the personnel from B.S.I. was speaking [about] is that they believe that they can go if the weather permits to mid July or a little bit more if the weather permits. So we don’t know exactly what for a date right now to finish, but what they said is in the mid of this month that just started. But as we speak, that we have the threat of the hurricane, maybe not a direct landfall, but we will be having an amount of rain due to that. And we don’t know what will be the extent of the damage or the flooding that we’ll be having with them, so we don’t know if this is the end of the crop or we will be having some more days after the hurricane. So we cross our fingers.”
B.S.I. is working with canefarmers to improve the climate resilience of their crops by supporting the replanting of cane varieties. This would decrease the industry’s dependency on one variety alone. Ortega explains that this is a program the factory is offering them. He says that it is something that some farmers accept and some still have reservations about.
Alfredo Ortega
“They called it in Agro-Pro, I believe on which they are giving services to farmers on planting or replanting their fields again, on which they are proposing different varieties that they have. Nevertheless, there are some farmers that are somewhat sceptical to the new varieties because they have had a bad experience before with new varieties being planted on their field. It’s accepted by some because they really want to have new plantings on or better yields on their field, but there is an amount of farmers that are really sceptical on getting that service for them because at the same time, the service is a little bit high, and it’s like a, loan that you get for that service to happen.”
