Over 60 Coconut Farmers Trained to Hunt Pests

More than 60 coconut farmers in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts have been trained to detect, identify and control pests and diseases in their groves.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries says it completed two-day coconut farmer workshops in both districts. The training is part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) “One Country One Priority Product” initiative, which promotes sustainable coconut value chains in Belize.

The workshops were led by the FAO’s national coconut pest and disease specialist, with support from the ministry’s Fruit Tree Program, Research Unit and District Extension Units. The trainings were held in Stann Creek and Toledo.

The ministry says women and youth farmers were well represented. The sessions combined lectures with field exercises, and participants said the hands-on approach was valuable for learning practical techniques.

Farmers were also introduced to a citizen science approach to pest management. They are now equipped to monitor their acreage, build traps and report their findings and weekly trapping results to agricultural officials. The ministry says the network will allow officials to track pest populations in real time and protect local crops.

More workshops are being scheduled for the remaining districts. Coconut farmers and other interested stakeholders can contact their District Agriculture Office for schedules and to register.