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Interview with Hafiz Muminjanov on FAO’s Coconut Initiative in Belize

The FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative has launched its inception workshop to begin a project aimed at enhancing Belize’s coconut value chain. This global initiative will produce a comprehensive value chain analysis and a three-year development plan for Belize’s coconut sector.

The workshop included over 110 stakeholders, discussing project implementation and regional and national priorities for OCOP. To date, around USD 15 million has been mobilized to support 54 countries. In Belize, activities involve creating a national task force and a collaborative work plan with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise.

To get a better understanding of the project, News Five spoke with Hafiz Muminjanov, OCOP Global Coordinator, OCOP Secretariat, Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO.

1. What is the objective of the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative?

FAO has developed the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative to build more sustainable food value chains of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs), which was globally launched on 7 September 2021. Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) are agricultural products with unique qualities and special characteristics associated with geographical locations, farming practices and cultural heritages. Compared to staple food crops, SAPs have not yet fully benefited from agricultural and rural development programmes.
The FAO OCOP initiative aims to enhance food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income generation for rural populations through the sustainable development of SAP’s value chains, from sustainable production to storage, processing and marketing.
The initiative supports countries in the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. OCOP is not an initiative that promotes monocropping production systems but focuses on diversification, unlocking the untapped potential of agricultural products, and identifying and addressing gaps in the value chain.

2. How is the OCOP initiative funded, and what is its total budget?

The implementation of the OCOP initiative started with the formulation of the Global Action Plan and application guidance for the countries and the conducting of a series of training sessions.
The activities in the field began with the implementation of the global project funded by FAO Flexible Voluntary Contributions (FVC) in 2022, starting in five demonstration countries in five FAO regions – Bangladesh, Egypt, Malawi, Uzbekistan and Trinidad and Tobago. Further funding was received from various sources, including a trust fund project supported by JICA in Ghana, the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme, FVC, and allocations from the FAO Regular Programme. Regional and national projects funded by the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) have also supported the initiative.

As of 1 June 2024, about USD 18 million has been received to support the implementation of OCOP in 60 countries.

*National Coconut Stakeholders Seminar and Market Fair 2023*

3. Can you name the countries participating in the global project and their selected Special Agricultural Products (SAPs)?

To date, 85 Members from all five FAO Regions – Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Near East and North Africa – have expressed strong interest in promoting the sustainable development of the value chains of 54 Special Agricultural Products (SAPs), including 28 horticultural and 15 field crops, 6 livestock products and 5 forest products.
From the Region of Latin America and the Caribbean, 14 countries are promoting 12 SAPS. The countries and SAPs include:
- Bahamas: Poultry
- Belize: Coconut
- Bolivia: Quinoa
- Chile: Honey
- Colombia: Sugarcane
- Ecuador: Cocoa
- Guatemala: Coffee
- Jamaica: Ginger
- Mexico: Amaranth
- Nicaragua: Low-Carbon Livestock Production
- Panama: Coffee
- Peru: Potato
- Trinidad and Tobago: Cocoa
- Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: Coffee

For more information, please visit the OCOP global website which is in all six official UN languages https://www.fao.org/one-country-one-priority-product/about/special-agricultural-products-(saps)/en

4. How does the OCOP initiative contribute to the development of smallholders and family farms?

OCOP promotes diverse and integrated food systems, creating sustainable development and market opportunities for small-scale farmers. It places smallholders and family farms at the center of its efforts, using their unique strengths.
OCOP provides tailored support to countries to strengthen the value chain of their SAPs opening doors to regional and international markets.

5. What are the activities planned for Belize under the regional OCOP, and who are the key partners involved?

The promotion of OCOP in Belize will be supported in the framework of the new project funded by the FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) mechanism.
The project with a total budget of USD 1 million will be implemented from 01 March 2024 to 31 December 2025. The project will cover 11 countries from all FAO regions located in the tropics, drylands, mountainous zones as well as the Small Island Developing States.
This global project aims to expand the implementation of the OCOP initiative on a global scale. .
In the project framework, Belize will promote coconut as the SAP. The key activities in Belize include establishing OCOP technical networks, capacity development of farmers and stakeholders, conducting the value chain analysis and upgrading national strategy on coconut sector. The project will also establish the mechanism for coordination and communication – such as national task force and will raise awareness among a wide range of stakeholders.
The OCOP global partners include UNIDO, UNODC, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc.
The key National Taskforce Partners in Belize is likely to include the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE), Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), University of Belize (UB), International Trade Center (ITC), Financial Institutions, Processors, Exporters, Cooperatives/Associations.

6. What were some of the highlights discussed during the inception workshop held on April 3, 2024?

OCOP is inherently country-owned and country-led, tailoring strategies to each country’s specific needs, priorities, and comparative advantages.
Customizing approaches to fit unique contexts is paramount for effective implementation, focusing on establishing technical networks, enabling environments, and coordination mechanisms.
Project countries show great potential to promote the synergies between OCOP and other initiatives, programmes and projects at FAO and beyond.

Notably, six project countries are engaged in the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative and five in the Digital Village Initiative.

7. How many participants attended the inception workshop, and what was its main purpose?

Over 110 participants attended the virtual inception workshop of the project, where the project objectives and implementation modalities were discussed, challenges shared and priorities for the OCOP initiative at regional and national levels defined. The overall objective of the project is to improve food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income for rural populations through the sustainable development of special agricultural product value chains.

8. Can you list some of the challenges and priorities discussed during the workshop regarding the implementation of the OCOP initiative?

This included strengthening financial, technical, and human resources at the global, regional, and country levels; engaging a wide range of stakeholders to support activities at the country and field levels; and monitoring and facilitating OCOP projects.

Mexico and Belize Collaborate to Enhance Sanitary Protocols for Certified Cattle Importation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is aiding Central American nations by sharing advanced techniques and technologies to bolster their agricultural, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries sectors.

To facilitate the safe importation of cattle from Belize to Mexico for immediate slaughter and terminal fattening, thereby strengthening the domestic industry’s raw material supply, the agriculture ministries of both countries are developing a sanitary control mechanism. This mechanism aims to ensure the cattle are free from pests and diseases of quarantine significance.

Currently, Mexico imports around five thousand certified cattle annually from Orange Walk County, Belize, under an existing import protocol validated by the Central American health authority.

The updated protocol seeks to include more certified producers from Belize. These producers must demonstrate through clinical tests that their cattle are free from bovine tuberculosis (Tb), brucellosis (Br), and ticks and pass a sanitary inspection conducted by Mexican veterinarians.

In a meeting with Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, José Abelardo Mai, and the Belizean ambassador to Mexico, Oscar Lorenzo Arnold, Javier Calderón Elizalde, head director of the National Agro-alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality Service, highlighted the shared cultural ties, friendship, and sanitary challenges between the two nations, noting that pests do not respect borders.

Elizalde emphasised that Senasica’s mission is to protect agri-food production and facilitate the trade of healthy and safe products for national supply, building bridges rather than closing borders.

Agriculture supports small and medium-scale producers in Central America by sharing techniques and technologies that enhance their agricultural, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries development.

The meeting also addressed the cattle screwworm threat in Panama and Costa Rica, which poses a risk to regional livestock. Health authorities are urged to collaborate and allocate resources to prevent the insect’s northward spread. Mexico has proposed a pest eradication plan to the International Regional Organisation for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) to halt its advance before it reaches Nicaragua.

The General Coordination of International Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed the priority of its relationship with Belize, committing ongoing support from the ministry’s technical and scientific institutions to their Central American counterparts.

Minister José Abelardo Mai highlighted that Belize, with over 5,400 livestock producers, primarily small-scale, sees livestock exports as a key opportunity for community development. He noted improvements in Belize’s livestock sector through the acquisition of Mexican stallions, better grass varieties, and infrastructure investments.

Mai also acknowledged the significant contributions of the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural, and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in boosting the production of soybeans, soursop, coconut, and pitahaya in Belize.

On the topic of cattle screwworm, Mai, a veteran of eradication efforts 30 years ago, announced plans for an awareness campaign and a fund to support regional health initiatives.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Senasica’s general director of Animal Health, Juan Gay Gutiérrez, and of Plant and Animal Health Inspection, Jorge Luis Leyva Vázquez, as well as Belizean representatives such as the director of the Citrus Revitalization and Diversification Programme, Hugh O’Brien, the general director of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Zoe Zetina, and BAHA’s director of Animal Health, Roxanna Álvarez.

“Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!”

This year’s World Day will focus on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (1999, No. 182). It also presents an opportunity to remind all stakeholders to improve their implementation of the two fundamental Conventions on child labour – Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment or Work (1973).

Although significant strides have been taken in reducing child labour over time, recent years have seen global trends reverse, underscoring the pressing need to unite efforts in expediting actions to eradicate child labour in all its manifestations.

With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, the international community made a commitment to the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025.

Now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality!

This World Day Against Child Labour, June 12, 2024, we are calling for:

The effective implementation of the ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
Reinvigorated national, regional and international action to end child labour in all of its forms, including worst forms, through adopting national policies and addressing root causes as called upon in the 2022 Durban Call to Action;
Universal ratification and effective implementation of ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age, which, together with the universal ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved in 2020, would provide all children with legal protection against all forms of child labour.

In his message on World Day Against Child Labour, Labour Minister Oscar Requena said, “Our children deserve a childhood free from exploration with access to education and opportunities to realize their full potential. it is our duty as a nation to protect and provide the necessary support to achieve these fundamental rights.”

Full video message can be viewed here:

A report from the U.S. Bureau of International Labor Affairs says, “In 2022, Belize made moderate advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. The government approved the National Child Labor Policy and Strategy 2022–2025, which aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labor by 2025 and prioritizes addressing legislative and information gaps, increasing child labor law compliance, and reducing barriers to education. The Ministry of Human Development also introduced new standard operating procedures on human trafficking and trained 85 percent of social workers, 80 percent of labor officers, and 78 percent of immigration officers on using the procedures to refer victims to care. However, children in Belize are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking. Children also engage in dangerous tasks in agriculture and construction. Belize does not meet the international standard for prohibitions of hazardous work because children over age 14 are permitted to work in dangerous activities like mining and construction. In addition, Belize has not adequately prohibited the use of children in illicit activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs.”

ComPol Meets with Hospital Staff in San Ignacio

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams met with the management and staff of San Ignacio Community Hospital this afternoon. The meeting follows an incident on June first during which several men, described as gang members, stormed the facility shortly after David Galindo was admitted to ward with life-threatening injuries. Galindo was no stranger to the law and had been targeted by gunmen on a previous occasion in 2021. On the night in question, the forty-year-old had been shot multiple times while purchasing food at a location in Santa Elena Town. When he was rushed to the hospital, Galindo’s relatives and friends showed up not long after and reportedly terrorized the staff working the shift that night. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of medical personnel working at the hospital. Prior to his meeting, Commissioner Williams spoke with reporters.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I was the one who suggested that we have a meeting and have arranged a meeting with the authorities from the San Ignacio Community Hospital. So I will be meeting with them this afternoon at two [o’clock] in San Ignacio and again, the purpose is to be able to look at what their concerns are and to see what protocols we can develop moving forward to ensure that there is no recurrence of what actually took place on June first. So I agree with everything said, in terms of the way how things unfolded, it ought not to have. The best that we can do now is to make sure that we put things in place to avert any future recurrence.”

Reporter

“And any update in finding the perpetrators? I know you said at least one had eluded the police up to yesterday and still now.”

Chester Williams

“One has been charged and we’re still searching for the other one. We are hoping that he will be coming out of where he is hiding very soon and we will be able to take him into custody and address that matter with him.”

In a statement provided to another news outlet this morning, Mynor Galindo, sibling of the deceased David Galindo, said, “no one has been arrested or charged for my brother’s death. Instead, police are relentlessly pursuing us rather than the actual culprits. Despite providing detailed descriptions of the attackers and their vehicle to the authorities, there has been no discernible progress in the investigation. The authorities have utterly neglected their duty to ensure our safety and have instead harassed our family, baselessly accusing us of involvement in criminal activities. We have received no support or justice from the authorities, and the media has perpetuated false narratives.”

Mynor Galindo Explains What Happened the Night His Brother was Shot

Late this afternoon, News Five spoke by phone with Mynor Galindo. He is the brother of David Galindo who was shot in Santa Elena on the night of June first and passed away over the weekend from injuries he received. According to the sibling, he was not at the San Ignacio Community Hospital the night when David was injured. However, what he explained was that other family members who were present were not allowed to travel with David inside the ambulance from San Ignacio to the Western Regional Hospital. Mynor admits that the refusal of the ambulance driver to allow a relative on the trip to Belmopan did create a bit of an issue, but not to the extent described by hospital staff elsewhere in the media.

On the phone: Mynor Galindo, Brother of Deceased

“When my brother David was shot, I was not at home, I just heard the news and I noh even went to the hospital itself. I was nowhere in the hospital and when dehn call me, my family members told me that di people dehn from the ambulance do not want to carry nobody in the ambulance and dehn seh once somebody go eena di ambulance he noh di drive off. He wahn stay right deh and he wah put di ambulance eena park and cut off di ignition. From deh, now you as wahn loved one di watch deh di deal with wahn loved one like that, how you wahn feel comfortable when dehn ambulance driver di tell you that nobody cyant go with di patient. And dat da right deh weh create wahn small lee back and front. But like weh dehn di seh bout di doctors and nurses being threatened and thing, that is a total lie… totally lie.”

Isani Cayetano

“Okay, explain to me what happened at the hospital because, as you mentioned, the doctor is alleging that you guys went into the hospital and pretty much terrorized them and they were in fear of their lives. What actually happened that night at San Ignacio Community Hospital?”

Mynor Galindo

“Well, like I say again, I was never there but the understanding weh I di get through di media houses and di commissioner and things weh di go through, I di get feedback mostly through them. But when, if dehn feel threatened and deh feel soh, dehn have surveillance, dehn got surveillance, and if dehn wahn go through deh kinda thing deh, and if dehn feel threatened why dehn neva press it from di night and press charges and go proceed to the station? Dehn da government workers, dehn got all rights and when it come to wahn doctor or nurses, we all respect them cause dehn deh ya fi save life, dehn noh di ya fi hurt no one.”

Cabinet Condemns Incident at San Ignacio Community Hospital

Earlier today, the Government of Belize issued a press release in which it stated, “the entire Cabinet shares the outrage of the Belizean people at the incident which occurred at the San Ignacio Community Hospital on June first. Cabinet is grateful that medical practitioners, staff and patients were not harmed by those criminal elements who stormed the facility. Decisive action has been taken. Instructions have been issued, firstly, for the escalation of the operation to round up not only those persons who participated in the attack on our medical facility and staff, but all gang elements operating in San Ignacio and Santa Elena.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“It’s a regrettable issue. We wish it did not occurred, but again, the reason why the police did not respond when they were called was because it was a busy night in San Ignacio. The police had other complaints that they were dealing with and so they could not have responded on time as the hospital requested. And I do agree with the hospital and I agree with the police as well, I have to strike a balance, but we have to find a solution moving forward to make sure that should there be any recurrence that what took place, or the sequence of events that took place on that night in question does not reoccur.”

Reporter

“But ComPol, how many other incidents would there have been that night not to warrant police responding immediately when, in essence, that’s a hostage situation. If you have doctors under the threat of firearms to say, “Unu need fi save this person life or else unu wahn dead.”

Chester Williams

“The police were at a stabbing. They had a stabbing. They had, I think a burglary, and there was another issue at a village. The police only had one vehicle that night that they could have utilized and so that was an issue.”

Twelve Months in Prison for Abusive Stepfather, Devain Flores

One year in prison for physically abusing his three-year-old stepson, that’s the time Devain Flores will spend for concurrent sentences that were handed down by the lower courts this morning. The matter, as we’ve reported, was prosecuted by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. From the onset, the ComPol pushed for a custodial sentence to be delivered, in light of the public outrage following a video of Flores kicking and punching the infant. Flores pleaded guilty to the charges that were brought against him; however, last week, when he appeared before a senior magistrate, Flores’ witnesses failed to show up in court to testify on his behalf. This morning, following sentencing, ComPol Williams told reporters that he was content with the time given to Flores.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I am satisfied, yes, that the court imposed the maximum sentence of twelve months. I wished they had run consecutively, but instead the magistrate chose to have them run concurrently. So, in other words, he will only serve twelve months as opposed to twenty-four months. But in terms of the magistrate imposing the maximum sentence on both counts of twelve months each, I think that the punishment does fit the crime. The child who has been abused and his parents can now feel at ease that the perpetrator will be behind bars, and so for that I am extremely happy.”

Reporter

“And the reason provided for it not to run concurrently.”

Chester Williams

“Well the magistrate did cite precedence and she is right in doing so and by law she does have that discretion. So as much as I am not too satisfied with that, she is acting within the scope of the law in so doing. The magistrate was extremely clear in her assessment of the matter, in terms of saying that we must send a strong message to persons who have care of children. As a society, we must protect our future. Our children are our future and if we don’t do what we can now to protect them, then who is going to do so. So I think the magistrate was very clear in that as well.”

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

June marks a significant period dedicated to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of health: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance aims to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by men, promote open discussions, and encourage seeking help without stigma. Mental health is a universal issue, yet men often face unique pressures and barriers that can impede their well-being.

Understanding Men’s Mental Health

Men’s mental health encompasses a range of issues, from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 264 million people globally suffer from depression, with men less likely to seek help than women. This reluctance often stems from societal expectations and cultural norms that emphasise stoicism and self-reliance in men, discouraging vulnerability and emotional openness.

The Stigma Surrounding Men’s Mental Health

Stigma plays a significant role in preventing men from addressing their mental health needs. Traditional gender roles often dictate that men should be strong, unemotional, and self-sufficient. As a result, admitting to mental health struggles can be seen as a sign of weakness, leading many men to suffer in silence. This can exacerbate mental health issues, potentially leading to severe consequences such as addiction, self-harm, or suicide.

Statistics and the Reality

The statistics surrounding men’s mental health are stark and alarming. In many countries, men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women. In the past few years, there has been an increase in men dying by suicide. Additionally, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviours and less likely to seek mental health treatment.

Addressing the Issue: Breaking the Silence

Efforts to improve men’s mental health must begin with breaking the silence and challenging the stigma. Public health campaigns, community initiatives, and workplace programmes can all play a part in normalising conversations about mental health. By creating safe spaces for men to express their feelings and seek support, we can start to dismantle the barriers that prevent men from accessing the help they need.

Encouraging Help-Seeking Behaviour

Encouraging men to seek help is a critical component of addressing mental health issues. This can be facilitated through various means:

Education and awareness: increasing awareness about mental health and the specific challenges faced by men can help normalise the conversation. Educational programmes can be implemented in schools, workplaces, and community centres.

Support networks: building robust support networks is essential. Friends, family, and community groups can provide a lifeline for men struggling with mental health issues.

Accessible services: ensuring that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the needs of men is crucial. This includes offering services that respect men’s experiences and cultural backgrounds.

Role models: prominent figures and celebrities speaking openly about their mental health struggles can have a powerful impact. These role models can inspire other men to seek help and show that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

The Role of Society

Society plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes towards mental health. By promoting a culture of empathy, understanding, and support, we can create an environment where men feel safe to seek help. Workplaces, schools, and communities must actively engage in fostering mental wellness and providing resources for those in need.

U.S. Government Donates Essential Equipment to Support Belize Military Operations

On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Belize handed over essential equipment to the Government of Belize as part of its commitment to enhancing security cooperation throughout the region.

This donation includes IT equipment, vehicle maintenance equipment, boat engines, and a bomb disposal suit, benefiting the Belize Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JOIC), Belize Coast Guard, and Belize Defence Force. It is valued at US $616,000.

It is expected that the equipment will help address transnational criminal threats, enhance border security, and promote national security. The support aims to bolster Belize’s joint intelligence, interagency collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations, thereby enhancing maritime interdiction capabilities and the safety of Explosive Ordnance Detachment technicians.

*US Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan*

In her keynote address, Ambassador Michelle Kwan praised the success of Belize’s joint law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational criminal threats through collaborative operations coordinated by the JIOC. She emphasised the importance of a coordinated, multi-agency approach, highlighting the involvement of various U.S. government agencies in the donation event.

JIOC Director Freddie Ku remarked, “The JIOC is a testament that when we pool resources and expertise through joint efforts, a whole lot more can be achieved.”

*U.S. Government Donates Essential Equipment to Support Belize Military Operations*

Bar Association on Leslie Mendez’s Complaint against Belize Central Prison

The role of an Attorney-at-Law in representing those who are incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison is pivotal to upholding the constitutional rights of those being represented and is crucial to ensuring the rule of law.

It is recognized that prisons, including the Belize Central Prison, uphold a visitors’ dress code primarily for security reasons and it is recognized that attorneys are not excluded from abiding by the dress code.

The Bar Association acknowledges the recent complaint of Attorney Ms. Leslie Mendez that she was disallowed access to the Belize Central Prison to meet with her incarcerated clients on account of her attire, which she says was in line with the prison’s dress code. While the Bar Association cannot take a position regarding the details of the complaint, it is important for us to state that it would be gravely concerning if the Belize Central Prison, or any of its employees, used underhanded and veiled tactics to undermine the legal rights of incarcerated prisoners, especially their right to speak with their legal representatives.

The rules of the Belize Central Prison are not to be used to humiliate legal representatives or to detract from meaningful representation of those incarcerated. The Bar Association hopes that the Belize Central Prison will properly address the complaint of Ms. Mendez so that there is no recurrence of this or any similar incidents.

(Press release)