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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
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The November 2012 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online HERE
This Issue's Stories:
- Fertilizer expert visits
Spanish Lookout: The Ministry of
Natural Resources
and Agriculture
(MNRA) in
collaboration with
the ROC (Taiwan)
Technical Mission (TTM) held a 2-day workshop on 25-26
July on the University of Belize, Central Farm campus, to
introduce the efficient and effective application of soluble
fertilizer for plant use through irrigation systems.
- Apples of Belize: Featuring the Velvet
Apple and the Red Custard Apple
By Mary Susan Loan of Cristo Rey Village. Generally apples are considered a fruit that grows in the land
of four seasons, not in a tropical environment. Belize and
other Central American countries are also "apple" producing
countries. Apple varieties in Belize include: Malley Apple,
Custard Apple, Rose Apple, Velvet Apple, green and purple
Star Apples, Wax Apple as well as classic Red and Yellow
Apples. This article will feature the Velvet Apple and Custard
Apple varieties.
- Flame Weeding: Fighting Weeds With Fire.
Flaming Provides Alternative Weapon in War on Weeds. Chemical weed control in Belize is changing to flaming methods
The methods of controlling weeds by chemicals and adverse expensive products, is turning in Belize, to flame throwers. The trick apparently is to flame the plot, or land and burn the weeds, about a week after you plant the seeds. Doesn't touch the seeds and new plants, but gets rid of the weeds, and the charcoal produced enhances the fertility of the soil. As in ashes. Good article in AG REPORT issue 18. with a lot more details. Written by Francesca Camillo. You can find it online.
This type of operation was popular early in the last century, and of course by the Maya milpa farmer even today, here. About the middle of the last century, commercial pesticides became cheaper, easier and popular, but the cycle of cost, advantages and such are bringing FLAMING, either spot burns, or wider field operations back in vogue. A guy by the name of Charles House is leading the revolution. He sells such farm equipment from his Earth & Sky Solutions business based in White Hall, Virginia, USA.
- Permits Simplified! An Overview of the Import Permit
Application Process for Agricultural
Commodities,
BAHA By: Francisco Gutierrez, Technical Director,
Plant Health Services: The Belize Agricultural Health
Authority (BAHA) has been
designated as the competent
authority for agricultural
health and food safety. This
means BAHA is in charge
of all those aspects related
to veterinary services, plant
protection, quarantine procedures, and regulations for safe
and wholesome foods. In essence, the role of the organization
is to mitigate risks associated with these broad roles. All these
services are arranged into two main categories of work: export
compliance and import regulations. This article focuses on
the latter aspects of our work.
- Black Pepper in
Southern Belize: Visit a Tropical Kerala (India) Spice Farm� right
here in Golden Stream, Toledo District
Presenting The Belize Spice Farm & Botanical Gardens By Beth Roberson. One of the
delights of being
a writer for the
Ag Report is
discovering and
exploring
fascinating
and diverse
individuals and
farms within
Belize's borders.
One of the very richest agricultural veins we have struck is The
Belize Spice Farm and its owners, Dr. Thomas Mathews and
Mrs. Tessy Mathews.
- Light Rein on Vaccination: By Marjie Olson. Here in Belize vaccines are
often hard to find, or are expired, and
when you own several or many horses,
can be very costly�
- BEYOND THE BACKYARD:
SPUD BUCKET. Covers in detail the growing and storing of potatoes in the tropical conditions of Belize. This is knowledge under actual tropical conditions, found no place else to my knowledge in the world. We have commercial farming of potatoes in Belize, but it is nothing like they do in Canada, or Northern USA.
Plenty of rice husk hulls available in Belize and apparently they make excellent storage of potatoes, in our heat conditions. ( separate article in Ag Report )
- Blue Creek Cowboys Take the Lead By John Carr, BLPA Chairman: On July 25th, 2012 The Blue Creek Cattle
Committee started a pilot testing program. This
included testing for brucellosis, tuberculosis and
putting identification tags in each ear. These
numbers with statistics are being entered into the
National Computer System located at the Belize
Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) office. The Blue Creek
cattle men had good corrals and only had to rope 15 head at one
farm. While a few cattle had to be re-checked for some reactors,
on the following tests they proved to be clean of brucellosis and
TB infections. Most of us never thought our cattle had these
problems, but it is a very comforting to be proven clean.
- Pasture Planning By Maruja Vargas: Planning more pasture for next season? The choice of grass to
plant depends on the animals you intend to graze there.
For example, the choice for cattle is Brizantha, Humidicola
and/or Mombasa. On the other hand, the top choices for
horses are Tanzania, new hybrid "Aires" and Mombasa. All of
these grasses have their origin in Africa. All have been tried
and tested extensively in Belize. All are perennial. (The two
legumes mentioned further into this article originate from
South America. )
- Increasing Yields With Sulfur By Cory Schurman, Sr. Agronomy Manager,
Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers:
Sulfur deficiencies are becoming
common throughout the world.
The primary reason is that in the
past, soils received 15-25 pounds
of sulfur (S) per acre, per year from
emissions from the burning of coal,
and from sulfur dioxide emissions
in fuels. Now with coal plants having scrubbers, and with the
use of lower sulfur fuels, and overall concern for environmental
quality world-wide, growers are typically now getting much
less sulfur in a year on each acre. At the same time yield levels
have risen, increasing the need for sulfur, so growers are seeing
increasing shortages of this secondary nutrient.
The following is a list of the roles sulfur plays in plant growth
and production.
- BEL-CAR Updates: Corn, Red Kidney Beans, Black Eye Beans, New Bean Cleaning Equipment
- Making Cocoa Powder in Belize
By Kerry Goss of Goss Chocolate, Placencia
- Potato Storage Using Rice Hulls
By Dottie Feucht
- What is a Rainy Day?
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$ October 2012
- NBHA BELIZE RESULTS SEPT 1st 2012
- RAISING SHEEP IN CAYO, BELIZE By Jerry B. Stevens
- Wild Edibles of Belize Part 2
Hamelia patens
Common Names: Red Head, Firebush
By Dr Mandy Tsang. Also recipes for 'Red head' berries
- The Stinkhorn Mushroom
Dr Alessandro Mascia: Stinkhorns are one of the easiest
mushrooms to identify; in one
form or another they resemble
phallic protrusions when mature.
They are different from other
mushrooms in that they spread
their spores with the help of
flies and carrion beetles (lovely,
isn't it!) which are attracted to
the smelly, slimy spore mass
that adheres to the tip or head. The stinkhorns' most outlandish feature, however, is the
unpleasant or provocative odour of the mature spore slime, which
has been variously characterized as "foul," "fetid," "compelling,"�
"disconcerting,"�"nauseating," "like rotting carrion,"�and most
apt and understated of all: "indiscreet."
- Conserving Food Freshness
By Dottie Feucht:
To some companies in the food industry preserve connotes
adding chemicals to extend shelf life but conserve means
maintaining the original flavor and texture and interrupting
the aging cycle by means of modified atmosphere packaging
(MAP), a procedure of extracting the air from a package and
replacing it with the optimum combination of oxygen (O2),
carbon dioxide (CO2 ), and nitrogen (N2) for conserving its
content.
- ASK RUBBER BOOTS, Snake ID: The best snake identification book
that we have found is A Field
Guide to the Snakes of Belize
by Tony Garel & Sharon Matola,
ISBN 9968-730. Rubber Boots
& family have identified many
snakes with this, and found their
information ultra-accurate. The
preface of the book expresses the
writers' hopes that the field guide may be useful to identify snakes
in the wild. Rubber Boots has found it useful both in the wild and,
unfortunately, in our home as well.
- Ag Briefs
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,461
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And more mangoesteens than I can eat!
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,520
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Doggone it, I was looking for a good field guide to snakes...but $US199.00, used,...is a bit more than I expected.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
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OP
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The December 2012 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online HERE
This Issue's Stories:
- Turkey (Domesticated) (Meleagris gallopavo): By Orlando Habet
The domesticated turkey is a large poultry bird. The modern
domesticated form descends from the wild turkey (Meleagris
gallopavo). It was domesticated by the indigenous peoples of
Mesoamerica at least 2,000 years ago, with the evidence pointing
to what are today the central regions of Mexico (Guerrero, Veracruz
and Jalisco). Ancient Mesoamericans domesticated this subspecies,
using its meat and eggs as major sources of protein and employing its
feathers extensively for decorative purposes. The Aztecs associated
the turkey with their god of night and sorcery, Tezcatlipoca
("Smoking Mirror"), as well as the patron deity of Aztec kings and
of young warriors. Domestic turkeys were taken to Europe by the
Spanish. Many distinct breeds were developed in Europe. In the
early 20th century, many advances were made in the breeding of
turkeys, resulting in the modern breeds which are efficient meat
producers and which have also been bred to produce a large breast
compared to the remainder of the body.
- GOOD PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
FARMER RECOGNITION INITIATIVE:
By Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut, MA
The Pesticides Control Board (PCB), in
collaboration with the Food Safety Department
of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority,
the Extension Department of the Ministry
of Natural Resources & Agriculture
(MNRA) and the Taiwan Technical
Mission (TTM) in Belize is pleased
to announce the commencement
of a voluntary initiative designed
to assist horticulture farmers
in improving their pesticide
management practices.
Since its inception in 1988, PCB has focused on the promotion of
rational pesticide management for the protection of human health
and the environment among pesticide users, primarily those involved
in crop production, through its national training programme for the
certification of users of restricted-use pesticides.
The decision to use pesticides requires great responsibility on the
part of the pesticide user. "Pesticides kill not only pests, but also
pests' natural enemies; their overuse can harm farmers, consumers
and the environment" (Save and Grow, FAO, 2011). The rational
management of pesticides entails the judicious decision-making
process carried out by the pesticide user including, but not limited
to, the proper identification of the type of pest and the extent of pest
damage as well as the consideration of pest control options within
an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.
- Fair Exchange: Seed Swapping:
By Mitylene Bailey
I returned home from my
two-year study in Taiwan with
a hunger for my local greens.
At my first opportunity I went
to the market to seek out my
favorite, calalloo, also known
as vegetable amaranth. (See
Issue 17 of Belize Ag Report.)
As I walked around the Belize
City Queen's Square Market
I spotted a few different
varieties I had never noticed before. I walked up to the stall that had
calalloo with the most luscious leaves and took a couple bunches
home. I found myself at the market every other day taking a bunch
or two home. I decided that if I started to grow my own, and a few
other vegetables that I liked, it would be most convenient for me. I
started browsing around the market selecting the choice vegetables
and fruit with intent to collect the seeds and sow them in my own
burgeoning garden. The fruit and/or vegetable that I could not
retain seeds from or were not the best seed fruits I discarded and
returned to the vender that sold them to me to ask for seeds. I asked
the vendor that sells me the calalloo to share some of his seeds with
me. He asked me what I had and I did not know what he meant. He
told me that if I wanted seeds from him then I was to share some of
whatever I had with him. It was then that I was made aware of the
modus operandi for seed acquisition in that market: seed swapping.
Joseph Lawrence, a Jamaican-born vendor at the Belize City
Queen's Square Market, decided to let me in on the seed swapping
procedures; whenever he receives a new seed he plants it first to
observe the plant and its growing habit on his farm. If the plant
seems to have a successful life history he allows it to bloom and seed
and he now has seeds ready to exchange.
- Recent Test Shows Dangers
of Genetically Modified Food:
By Bill Lindo
The verdict is now in --
Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) NK603 corn causes
cancers in rats. September 19th, 2012 the independent team
led by Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini at the CRIIGEN lab at
the University of Caen published in the journal Food and
Chemical Toxicology the findings
of a two-year feeding trial of rats
using Monsanto's NK603 Roundup
tolerant corn (maize) and Roundup
herbicide (the brand name weedkiller
containing glyphosate many
GM crops are designed to resist).
The research found:
� Death rates in rats fed GM maize
was 70% in females and 50% in
males compared to the 20% and
30% in control animals.
� Female death rates were 2-3
times higher than the controls.
� Mammary tumors were the
most common cause of death in females.
� Treated male rats showed increased liver and kidney
problems.
Above are Photos from the study of the massive tumors caused by the
GM corn & Roundup
The researchers suggest the observed effects are due to the
hormone-disrupting effects of Roundup and the impacts on
metabolism of the GM trait that makes the corn tolerant to
the chemical Roundup.
- WEEDS:
By Dr. Morris F. Keller
I have been doing a lot of gardening lately, so weeds have been on
my mind as well as in my garden. As a very small child, I remember
crawling in the grass of our small back yard and being enthralled
with the little yellow flowers that bloomed there in the spring.
However, much to my amazement, no one wanted dandelions in
their grass; adults spent much time and energy prying them up with
a two-pronged tool - until "weed killer" came along. During my
infancy and youth, we lived in a suburban neighborhood of modest
one and two family homes. The home next to ours was owned
by a ninety-six year old lady, Mrs. Ashley, and her middle-aged,
unmarried daughter. I distinctly remember, as a small child, that
Mrs. Ashley asked everyone whom she knew in the neighborhood
to save dandelions for her. With these "weeds", she made soup, tea
and even wine. Mrs. Ashley obviously knew something that we did
not know.
When I revolted against the medical industry after healing
myself of serious illness with natural methods not taught me in
medical school, one of my goals was to learn how to grow my own
healthy food without man-made chemicals, while preserving and
improving the earth around me. I began to read books and the first
book I read was called Secrets of the Soil. The first statement that
jumped out at me in this book was, "a weed is a plant that you do
not know yet". Many years later, when I was an apprentice to a
master organic farmer, I was assigned the lowly job of weeding his
large vegetable gardens. During my long hours of toiling with a hoe
in my hand, my observation showed me that first of all, the "weeds"
had many holes in the leaves from being devoured by insects, much
more than the leaves of the vegetables we were growing and when
the weeds had been removed, the insects began to eat our valuable
crop. Perhaps the insects knew something that we did not know?
Now we know that many so-called weeds are edible and medicinal
plants and at the very least make a good green manure or fertilizer
for our gardens if turned under and allowed to rot slowly.
- BEYOND THE BACKYARD:
A Passionate Pursuit,
By Jenny Wildman
In London back in the sixties my Aussie and New Zealand flat
mates introduced me to a dynamic duo: Pavlova and passion
fruit, the first being a famed baked meringue created and
named for the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, and the second
said to be an absolute must as a topping: kiwi, strawberries,
passion fruit and cream. Now some 40 years later I am finally
growing passion fruit in my garden.
Although there are over 500 species of passiflora and
evidence of early cultivation in North America it is claimed to
hail from South America, discovered by 15th century Spanish
missionaries. As the priests cast their eyes on the glorious
blooms on this vigorous vine they were struck by the design
of the 10 petals, which they said represented the 10 faithful
apostles (scratch 2), the 3 stigmas signifying the nails on
the cross, the crown of thorns, the 5 stamens as the 5 major
wounds and the tendrils as the whips. This inspired them to
christen it passion fruit or so the story goes. I prefer to think
it was the musky aroma and abundance of seed conjuring up
passion and pleasure.
There are also many cultivars from those species but
commonly cultivated are two main types, purple or yellow.
Mine is the purple variety that clings to almost anything with
its tendrils but does require a strong frame. I would suggest a
wire fence with a slight overhang at the top at about 8 feet high
maximum as higher may make for treacherous harvesting, as
it is capable of great heights.
- Gimme Dat Good Black Soil:
By Harold Vernon
I have heard many an exclamation all over Belize that "black
soil da di best!". When people are asked just what is black
soil, the answer is usually that my mother, grandpa or some
relative in the rural areas always said so and as long as it is
black it is good. There is both truth and falsehood in that
statement and this article attempts to provide an explanation
of the real situation. It is true that soils with fair amounts of
sand, silt and clay and lots of organic matter are usually easy
to cultivate and are usually rich with available nutrients. On
the other hand, soils with lots of clay, little silt and sand with
high organic matter are very heavy and difficult to cultivate
and are the blackest of soils. These heavy soils are known as
vertisols.
So just what are good black soils and are they truly the best?
The degree of blackness of soil is caused by the presence of
decomposed organic matter or humus that has been converted
from green leaves, dead animals and other things that were
once alive. People who do composting learn very quickly that
the material being composted usually turns a deepening dark
brown. The same applies to the dead leaves and trees that fall to
earth, decompose and become what we typically call "organic
matter". Earth worms, fungi and bacteria aid the breakdown
processes and in turn contribute to a building up of organic
matter.
- Humates to the Rescue:
By Dottie Feucht
The importance of nitrogen (N) in the soil is well understood;
what may not be well understood by farmers is the adverse
long-term effect of synthetic N fertilizers on the soil.
Recent research by University of Illinois scientists shows
that its application over time depletes the soil of carbon
and undermines the health of the soil. They discovered
at the Morrow Plots, the oldest research plots in the USA,
that high inputs of N stimulate soil microbes to feed and
eventually that accelerated process causes the organic
matter to disappear before it can become humified (i.e.,
humification is interrupted by removal and volatilization of
carbon before it reaches the form of humus.) Plant residues
that are left behind in crop production, and various tilling
and residue management methods make use of that residue
as a means of adding organic matter to the soil. But with
synthetic N, it was found that soil microbes degrade plant
residues and reduce their carbon content and nutritional
content into plant available forms and long-term fully
degraded carbon, which is the backbone for forming soil
humus. The acceleration of microbial oxidation of humin
by N stimulation reduces the carbon rich humin to the less
carbon-rich humic acids, and finally to fulvic acids, which
have very little carbon content. Then as soil carbon levels
decline, it is more difficult for soils to store nitrogen. As the
ability of the soil to store nitrogen declines, more N inputs
are needed, resulting in a vicious cycle.
- Attracting Butterflies to
your Belizean Backyard:
By Marguerite Fly Bevis
Landscaping your
yard to attract
butterflies is as simple
as providing food,
water and shelter
for all stages of the
butterfly life cycle.
Adult butterflies
feed on nectar while
caterpillars and larvae
eat the leaves of
specific plants, their
"host" plants. You can
improve your chances of attracting butterflies to your garden by
implementing a few principles into your landscape and planting
shrubs and flowers butterflies love.
Butterflies are attracted to masses of colorful flowers in sunny
locations and they need shady cool-down areas for protection
when it is hot.
Plant a variety of
flowering annuals and
perennials for mass
color. Belize has a
number of butterflyfriendly
native plants
that grow very easily.
Some are so prevalent
that they might be
considered weeds.
But once you know
the beneficial ones, you can keep them in your yard, pruning and
taming them to fit your landscape.
One common plant countrywide is "Red Head" or "Firebush",
Hamelia patens.(See Issue 18, pg.22.) This plant grows
everywhere land has been cleared.
- THE SWEEP IN BLUE CREEK:
By Dr. Miguel DePaz
BACKGROUND Nov. 2012
Belize was an exporter of live
cattle to Mexico in the 1980's,
but the foot and mouth disease
epidemic of 2001 in the United
Kingdom led to Mexico closing
its borders to Belize to trade in
animals and animal products.
This effectively destroyed the
confidence of the farmers of the Belize Livestock Producers
Association (BLPA), as the formal trade of live cattle to Mexico
stopped completely. Ever since, Belize has put as one of its priority
the resumption of the export of live cattle to Mexico. In 2009 Belize
commenced The Belize National Cattle Sanitary Cattle Project,
financed by the European Union, Government of Belize, OIRSA/
SENASICA, BLPA and the cattle producers with the objectives of
(1) demonstrating the animal health status of the national cattle
herd with respect to bovine tuberculosis and bovine brucellosis
and (2) implementing an animal traceability system in order to
fulfil the requirements for unrestricted trade with Mexico. This
project is for a period of 3 years. It is expected that the prevalence
of bovine diseases is very low as it has never been found during
testing of targeted herds during the past.
The southern border of Mexico has a total of 1149 kilometres,
of which, 956 kilometres are shared with Guatemala and 193
kilometres, with Belize. It includes the states of Chiapas, Tabasco,
Campeche and Quintanna Roo.
- Quality Poultry Products:
In 1960, just 2 years after Spanish Lookout was founded, a
poultry company was also founded. In 1975 that company
became a co-op, Quality Poultry Products, now the leading
poultry business in Belize, processing about half of the chicken
in Belize and employing 130 people in Spanish Lookout.
Processed chicken comes in varying sizes, depending on feed
and length of time in the barn. (Chickens to be roasted are
usually the largest in size.)
The original plant was expanded in 1974 with another expansion
in 1983. The current plant, completed in 1998 is being
expanded again, incorporating HACCP standards. Over 130
poultry farmers under contract, with average lot size of 5,000,
but ranging from 3,000 to 17,000 chickens, keep the supply of
chickens steady through an 8 week rotation by geographical
location all around the Spanish Lookout area.
- GRAIN GROWERS IN BELIZE FORM
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION:
By Hugh O'Brien
Over 50 grain farmers, mostly from the Cayo and Orange Walk
districts have come together to form the Belize Grain Growers
Association (BGGA). Registration was conducted at regional
meetings that were held in October and November this year in
the Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo districts. An initial steering
committee, chaired by Mr. Henry Wolfe of Spanish Lookout led
the successful registration drive, and grain farmers have pledged
their support to the efforts of the steering committee to organize
grain growers into a formal and legal entity.
For some time now, grain farmers are complaining that issues
such as the high cost of inputs, availability of land, need for
research into new varieties, heavy insecticide use to control
armyworms, and the lack of concrete marketing arrangements,
especially to facilitate exports to Guatemala under the Belize-
Guatemala Partial Scope Agreement, have had serious effects on
the profitability and long term sustainability of the corn industry.
The desire to address these and other problems facing corn
farmers as well as represent the interests of grain growers at the
national level, drove the formation of the BGGA.
On November 14th, the first general meeting of the BGGA was held
in Spanish Lookout and the farmers were briefed on the progress
made to date, and various policy issues were discussed. It was
agreed that any farmer who farms an acre or more of corn, rice,
beans and such grains would be allowed to join the association.
Board members, once elected would serve for 2 years, and have
no time limit for being on the Board.
- Soils:
By Cory Schurman
What makes up soil? This is a question I get from time
to time. Soil is predominately
organic matter and silicon dioxide,
although it also contains an
assortment of various minerals.
More specifically, for plants to live
and grow in the soil, a balance of
oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon along with 14 other essential
elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur,
magnesium, zinc, boron, manganese, iron, copper, chloride,
nickel, molybdenum) are needed in a high enough quantity
to meet the needs of growing plants. For optimum growth
and maximum crop production, growers use fertilizers to fill
in soil deficiencies, which increase crop yields and quality.
Farmers use soil analysis tests to determine what minerals
their soils are both high and low in. From the results of the
tests farmers can formulate nutrient blends that provide
what the crop needs. Studying soil analysis is important for
optimizing the quantity of fertilizer to be applied; that is, the
correct rate can be calculated to match what the soil can hold.
Furthermore, nutrient applications can be timed to maximize
their effectiveness. When farmers look at crop production
from this scientific method they can maximize yields and
economic returns on their farm, while doing the best job
environmentally.
When farmers calculate their nutrient plans they should look
at the following factors:
- Internet Access and Agriculture in Belize:
By Shamin Renwick
Until my visit in October, Belize, in an abstract sort of way, was
just another "island" in the Caribbean - up north and to one side.
This is a view shared by many other Caribbean persons despite
knowing that it is a Central American country. However, general
background reading for a "small islander", prior to a visit, does
not prepare you for Belize. Having to go through Miami is the
first indication that something is different. Then flying over
the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (one of the top 5 largest coral
reefs worldwide), vast areas of wetlands and great lengths of
"white" roads underscore how distinctive it is. My visit was
being undertaken in order to conduct research for my doctoral
dissertation entitled "Planning for Food Security: Decision
Making and Information Use in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados
and Belize." This article deals with another surprising aspect of
life in Belize which I discovered in researching information use.
It is the cost and quality of internet access and the implications
for agriculture.
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: A-B denotes the difference between 1st preference & second preference and sometimes between wholesale & retail
and bulk or small amounts . Trend (H) means Higher over last 30 to 60 days (L) Lower (S) Steady.
Prices intend on being farm gate in Belize dollars - usually price per lb
- Light Rein -
Therapeutic Horseback Riding:
By Marjie Olson
"The outside of a horse is good
for the inside of a man." I've seen
it quoted by Winston Churchill,
John Wayne, Roy Rogers, John
Roberson Sr., John Carr and
definitely me. It is true. As with a
dog or cat, it has been proven that
animals are a healing mechanism
for many. Whether it is for an
emotional healing or a helpful
physical strengthening, animals
of all forms have virtually performed miracles. Everyone is
familiar with the leader dogs and the helper dogs, but few
realize that therapeutic riding programs are a wonderful gift
to people of all disabilities.
I, myself, have used horses to bring about a young man's
self worth, and to create a physical strength he didn't know
could exist�Danny was born with Pervasive Developmental
Disorder N.O.S. and his parents had been told, "Oh NO; don't
ever let him near horses; it will be just a disappointment for
him or he could be killed." Among his other issues, Danny had
hypermobile joints and low muscle tone, but with a special
little mare, who had that innate ability to understand, and
his mother's belief, one year later he was qualified to run that
little barrel horse at the NBHA Youth World Championships.
He not only rides 13 yrs later, he also played football through
his high school career which allowed him to "fit in" and be one
of the team - so important for a teenager, who is "different".
- BLPA -AGM - 2012:
By John Carr
A fairly well attended Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the
Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) was held at
HQ on October 27th, 2012. Most of the presenters focused on
the upcoming cattle sweep dealing with TB and brucellosis
testing and identification and registration (traceability) of
every cow critter in Belize. Through ear tags, every birth,
death, sale and cattle movement will be recorded. The
chairman's address echoed of major concerns for our country
as it relates to economic stress, crime, corruption and other
major problems. His message took a spiritual direction that
recommended that if we don't take God and biblical principles into our partnership "How and who will make Belize
into that very special country we all dream about?".
- Current Investment in Cattle, Land, Cattle Equipment: All Belize Dollars - October 2012 - BLPA -AGM Total Investment $485,000,000- we expect these numbers to double
- Producing Quality Hay:
By Maruja Vargas
Clarence Thiessen of C.T. Farm in Spanish Lookout is the
year round source for quality hay for cattle, horses and
sheep. Clarence has evolved a sophisticated and wellmanaged
full time haying operation, which depends upon
his knowledge of grasses, soils and equipment utilization.
The table on page 21 lists the types of hay available, their
nutrient content, average pricing, and suitability for use
in cattle, horses and sheep. C.T. Farms has also tested its
grasses (where marked with *) for crude protein content.
Weight of square bales is between 42 and 50 pounds.
Weight of round bales is approximately 900 pounds.
Clarence describes bismoto as a grass midway between star
grass which stands up to 24" and Bermuda average height
around 10". It is highly palatable and very appealing to
horses due to its soft texture, which is similar to the texture
of blue stem. C.T. Farm bales milo and RK straw in the
dry season for cattle. Clarence describes these products
as 'survival' for the dry season. He noted that cattle will
generally leave the RK stems and eat only the leaves. He
rarely bales straw of black eyed beans, black and kidney
beans.
- Opportunistic Foraging:
By Dr Mandy Tsang, BMChB, DRCOG
This time we are taking a break from the edible plant
monographs; I would like to talk more about how people can
incorporate foraging into their everyday life, without making
it into a chore.
Take every opportunity to incorporate daily life with foraging;
in this way you are more likely to do it as a daily or weekly
routine in your life. One simple example is to take advantage
of every walk, such as going to the market or shops, to observe
plant life all around you; look up at the tall trees and most
importantly, look down at the ground. Abandoned plots are
a absolute gem for foraging. In one plot in Punta Gorda, I
spotted five different forageable foods in a tiny abandoned
yard.
Walk around your back-yard or land; look at the weeds that
you usually pull out and refer to local people or the internet
to check if any are edible.
- Cultivating a Culinary Delight:
How to Grow Pitayas:
By Richard Rasp
Growing pitaya cactus in
your backyard or field can be
rewarding when your vines
produce a bountiful crop. Once
your plants have matured, they
can provide a nearly continuous
supply of the gourmet fruit
from May through November.
Not only is the magentacoloured
flesh a treat for your
eyes and taste buds, it is also a
nutritional source of betalain,
known for its anti-oxidant and
antiradical activity. To ensure
enough pitayas for your family and friends you need to follow a
few guidelines for successful cultivation. Growing pitayas takes an investment of time and money, but
hopefully it will be worth
the expense. It certainly
is exciting to follow the
progress of April's first
flower buds as they develop
into blossoms that burst
open in a dazzling display
of white, become fertilized,
and grow into fruits that you
can harvest a month later.
As you taste your first homegrown
pitaya of the year
you'll know that it indeed
was worth the effort.
- "Apples of Belize" Featuring the Bell Fruit
and Sugar Apple:
By Mary Susan Loan of Cristo Rey Village
Most of the apples in this series are not botanically classified as
apples; however, they are commonly considered to be apples in
Belize and other tropical countries.
Bell Fruit
Bell fruit (Syzgium Samarangense), commonly known, among
other names, as wax apple, love apple, java apple, Jamaican apple,
wax jambu, champoo, ohi'a, royal apple, water apple, mountain
apple, cloud apple, rose apple, lembu, macepa, and jamrul fruit,
is a member of the myrtaceae family. Bell fruit is a 'cousin' to the
Mallay apple which shares many of the characteristics of the Bell
fruit.
The Bell fruit tree is becoming more popular in Belize, thanks in
part to the introduction of the Bell fruit varieties popularly grown
in Taiwan, by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Central
Farm, Cayo. Michael Zheng, head of horticulture, reports; "Wax
apple is the most famous fruit is Taiwan; through off-season
cropping the production is from November to April (normal
season is from May to August)."
- Making Artisan Cheese at Caves Branch:
When Ian Anderson purchased sheep for a petting zoo at his
Caves Branch Resort, cheese making was not on his mind. The
petting zoo blossomed to showcase sheep, goats and chickens in
an environment where children from across the country could
touch and hold small animals. After collecting the eggs, egg
sandwiches were served to the children and they were given
glasses of sheep or goat milk to enjoy.
Given Ian's natural exploring instincts, it wasn't long before he
yearned to produce something with his milk. Internet searches
yielded many recipes
for cheese which he
tried. Ian's wife, Ella,
and son Gabe, who
was the chief taster,
were supportive of the
culinary venture, but
encouraged him to find
proper cheesemaking
classes. After more
prowling on the internet Ian found an article on cheesemaking
by a Vermont family of professional cheese makers, the Faillace
family of Three Shepherds Farm, in Warren, Vermont. In
September of 2011, Ian flew to New England and took a two
week course with Dr. Larry and Linda Faillace on their farm.
On his return, Ian again tackled cheesemaking, beginning with
one gallon batches, working up to the current 30 gallons per day
production. Caves Branch now has a 500 sq. ft. working cheese
kitchen, with a 250 sq. ft. wine and cheese tasting room attached.
There is a glass half wall enabling tasters to watch what is going
on in the kitchen. A 12 x 14 walk-in aging room kept at 55° F
completes the set up. A relationship with the Vermont Faillaces
has resulted in their visiting Caves Branch on various occasions
as Ian continues improvements in the facility and expands his
product line.
Currently all cheeses are made with cow's milk, purchased from
a neighbor's dairy. This winter, Caves Branch will be importing
both milk goats and more sheep from the U.S.A.
- Cattle Population by District:
Chart estimates prepared by BLPA, October 2012. Population on Farms
- Ag Briefs: U.S. slipping as corn export leader, U.K. farm incomes are expected to plateau in 2013,
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
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The March-April 2013 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online HERE
This Issue's Stories:
- FRUIT-FULL: SOLAR DRIED
FRUITS OF BELIZE: By Jack Nightingale
'Fruit-Full', producing
organic, high quality,
solar-dried fruits, is a
business project designed
to bring sustainable
futures to the indigenous
and native populations
of the Central American
and Caribbean region.
Located in southern
Belize, Fruit-Full works
with Sustainable Harvest International (Belize) and Plenty Belize,
non-governmental organizations associated with agriculture,
through trainings and field work.
The products of Fruit-Full are the maximum health and quality
tropical fruits of the region, dehydrated in solar dryers and full of
nutrition. Our motto, "nothing added but the sun" holds for all fruits
except mammee, cashew fruit and star fruit (carambola), which
have honey added because we have found it enhances the finished
product. Drying fruit is labor intensive and quality handling is the
watchword. All participants, from farmers through processors and
shippers, are aware of the need for quality.
Drying Technology
There are two known solar drying techniques: direct drying and
indirect drying. The most technical aspects are with indirect drying
methods. The equipment can be expensive to build and require
motor driven fans to move the heated air. Direct drying is simple
technology but the box design is important. Fruit-Full employs
direct drying technology and has developed an industrial form of
direct dryer using angle iron, plywood or cement board, table cloth
plastic and insect screen for fruit support. Our design allows for local
maintenance at relatively low cost which is another reason we have
chosen direct drying.
- To THE EDITOR: Thank you for the opportunity to express an opinion in your
newsletter.
I have had the honor and great privilege to work for decades with
traditional healers of Belize to record and preserve their ancient
systems of medicine. With Dr. Michael Balick of the New York
Botanical Garden, we have published several books on the subject.
This year, Oxford University Press will publish The Ethnobotany of
Belize, a 700 page tome that represents our work with man and the
land in Belize. I have just finished reading a report on the website
of The Organic Consumers Association of America entitled, GMO
Myths and Truths. As an organic farmer in Belize since 1976, I am
concerned that the safety and integrity of our food supply is on
the brink of a dangerous and major shift. Monsanto's genetically
modified (GM) crops are promoted on the basis of a range of farreaching
claims from the GM crop industry and its supporters.
They say that GM crops:
●● Are an extension of natural breeding and do not pose different
risks from naturally bred crops
●● Are safe to eat and can be more nutritious than naturally bred
crops
●● Are strictly regulated for safety
- To THE EDITOR: While the GM issue is on the front burner here in Belize, a related
issue is that of the efficacy of glyphosate as an herbicide. It comes
as a package deal with glyphosate-resistant GM crops. In other
words, use of glyphosate-resistant GM seed requires the farmer to
also use glyphosate with the GM crop or there is no advantage to
the genetic modification. Weeds resistant to it in North America,
that great agricultural laboratory Belizeans can learn from, are
increasing to where, according to Kent Fraser of Stratus Inc.,
an ag research organization (www.stratusresearch.com/blog07.
htm), about half of America's farmers have now found glyphosate
resistant weeds on their farm in 2012, up from 34% of farmers in
2011. In the warmer southern states, the incidence is higher; it is
92% in Georgia. The article includes the following chart showing
the rapid loss of effectiveness of glyphosate as an herbicide.
Any serious deliberation about the introduction of glyphosateresistant
genetically-modified crops in Belize should adequately
- and squarely - address these facts along with the equally serious
problem of its toxicity.
- GMO TECHNOLOGY -
FEAR OR FUTURE?: By Hugh O'Brien
Belize Grain Growers Association
"Cómo me arrepiento
no haberme impuesto
y haber dicho no a
tanta noveler�a" Rafael
Correa, President of
Ecuador, September 1st,
2012.
"How do I
regret not insisting and instead saying no to such a novel
technology?" These are the words of Ecuadorian President,
Rafael Correa, as he delivered his weekly Saturday address to
the nation on September 1st, 2012. During his stunning speech,
President Correa publicly apologized, saying 'it was an error'
to have declared "Ecuador as a country free of transgenics in the
Constitution". President Correa strongly opposed what he called
opposition to genetic engineering by "fundamentalists who are
afraid of the truth".
Following in the footsteps of the Ecuadoran President,
Mark Lynas, the environmentalist and award-winning science
author, began 2013 by publicly apologized "for having spent
several years ripping up GM crops" and for his role in
helping to spearhead the anti-GMO movement in the 1990s.
Mark Lynas was very practical as he delivered his famous speech
at an Oxfam conference on January 3rd, 2013 - "You are more
likely to get hit by an asteroid than get hurt by GM food. In fact,
the idea of being totally anti-GMO is no longer
- Energetic Agriculture & Pests
Farming Without Chemicals: When Albert Einstein's E = mc2 burst on the world scene over
eight decades ago, mankind's knowledge of God's universe
suddenly exploded, especially after he met Frank LaMotte and
Carey Reams. The trio worked out how to translate some of
the secrets of God's universe into formulas suitable for farm
applications - taking apart the atom and putting it back together
in farming for mankind's sustenance.
The lofty Platonic abstractions given by Einstein to Reams and
LaMotte later became Dr. Carey Reams "Biological Theory of
Ionization". But for Reams' theory to be helpful to farmers, they
need instruments to measure what happens in the soil and plant.
This is where Frank LaMotte, the chemist, comes in; today the
LaMotte agriculture test kits and instruments (www.lamotte.
com) are still the most reliable because they measure what
nutrients in the soil are readily available to the roots of the plant,
not just what is in the soil.
Agricultural Schools of Thought
Today agriculture is divided into three different schools of
thought: the Organic Farming (Sir Albert Howard, and Lady
Eve Balfour); Conventional Agriculture (petrochemicals/bioengineering
companies and USA land-grant universities - the
dominant worldview); and Energetic Agriculture (Dr. Carey
Reams & Emeritus Professor Dr. William A. Albrecht).
- 'Apples' of Belize Series
Sugar Apple or Custard Apple: By Mary Susan Loan of Cristo Rey Village
The Sugar apple is another tropical fruit that is commonly known
as an apple, but the tree and fruit are not botanically members of
the apple family. The Sugar apple's botanical name is Annona
squamosal. It is the most widely grown member of the over twothousand
member Annonaceae family. Like most tropical fruits,
different cultures have many names for this frut including, custard
apple, vid anon de azocar, granadilla, saramoyo, pinyon, sakya,
Buah nana. In India it is known as sita fruit, literally translated as
"fruit with so many seeds the monkeys will not eat them". Sugar
apples are close cousins to the cherimoya and atemoya, which is
a hybrid of the Sugar apple and the cherimoya.
This delightful variety of annona tree is a semi-evergreen shrub
or small tree which grows to be approximately ten to twenty feet
tall, the trunk between ten and fourteen inches in diameter. The
slender-to-wide dull green leaves grow to be approximately six
to eight inches long. The Sugar apple tree usually flowers in May
with tight buds making it a challenge for the bees to pollinate.
Hand pollination with a natural fiber brush helps to increase
yield. Apples generally fruit in June through early October. The
twigs of the tree are known to grow in a zig-zag manner. Sugar
apples produce about fifty to hundred fruits per tree in as little as
two to three years, making the tree a good choice for the family
'back yard' garden. The tree also makes an excellent ornamental
tree with its rounded canopy and long elegant branches.
- BEYOND THE BACKYARD,
PALMISTRY: By Jenny Wildman
The palm: its leaf is like the spread
of a hand. I thought I would talk
about palms as Palm Sunday is
coming up marking the beginning
of the Holy week of Easter. As Jesus
entered Jerusalem palms were
scattered by the faithful across
his path as a sign of respect. The
palm has been incorporated into
the services of the Christian faith
where processions involve the
waving of palm branches and small
crosses are made from the fronds.
In 1995 Columbia banned this practice as the palm species was
threatened by possible extinction due to over harvesting. Indeed
there has been much controversy relating to the over cutting and
destruction of palms in the rainforest for the production of heart
of palm and palm oil. Now also the Bay leaf is threatened as there
is a much greater demand for thatch with the growth of tourist
facilities aimed at using it to create ambience in design.
Recently I needed to remove a 5 foot coconut tree from my
driveway; so I decided to cut it and eat it. The edible part is about
2 to 3 feet of delicious white flesh which I used as fresh heart of
palm salad, canned some in brine and cooked the rest with yellow
ginger like cohune cabbage. None of the tree was wasted; the
leaves were used for shade in the garden and the leftover parts as
mulch.
- A VISIT TO IX CHEL FARM'S
ORGANIC GARDEN: By Beth
Roberson &
Dottie Feucht
H i p p o c r a t e s '
maxim "Let food be
your medicine and
your medicine be
your food" is evident in the garden of Drs. Rosita Arvigo and
Greg Shropshire at Ix Chel Farm. They shared some of their
successful organic methods and philosophy with The Belize Ag
Report during a visit to their Western Cayo District farm. Two
gardens of approximately 18' x 18' next to their home provide
herbs used in their medical practice, table food for themselves
and last year over 1000 salads for participants of seminars held
there.
"The sun is the worst thing and the best thing," spouts Rosita,
claiming that "the sun supplies 96% of the energy to transform
nutrients" for plants. But if the soil isn't protected from the sun's
direct rays its ecology will be destroyed. Great attention is given
to placement in either sun or shade, with some such as chayote
requiring sun for the vines but the dampness provided by partial
shade at ground level. Finding that level of sun exposure favored
by each plant is essential. About 6 types of lettuces are grown in
partial shade, none of them head lettuces, which are problematic
due to moisture accumulation in the dense heads, promoting
fungus. Also avoided for the same reason is head cabbage;
instead, collards, kale, bok choy and other greens flourish. One of
their favorites eaten daily is amaranth, locally known as calaloo.
Although recognizing the virtues of chaya, (which requires boiling
to remove toxins) they find amaranth much simpler to prepare.
- New John Deere 8285R Tractor Arrives
in Spanish Lookout: By Beth Roberson & Dottie Feucht
One of the larger rubber tire tractors produced by John
Deere was custom ordered and imported to Belize recently by
Westrac Ltd. The 8285R model (8= the series, 285 = hp, R=
premium package), manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.A.
arrived via Hyde's Shipping for the Spanish Lookout buyer.
The 8R series is John Deere's largest series of unarticulated
tractors. These range between 235 and 360 horsepower,
and the newly arrived intelligent tractor sits midway in that
line-up with 285 horse power. The model boasts dual front
and rear wheels, along with a computerized ILS front axle,
and weighs over 30,000 lbs. The ability to run on Infinitely
Variable Transmission (IVT), in which precise engine and
ground speed are monitored and controlled, economizes fuel
consumption. In North America this tractor comes with a
Tier 4 engine, which burns low sulphur diesel, but since Belize
does not have L.S. Diesel, the machine was custom ordered
with a Tier 2 engine. Another benefit of a Tier 2 engine,
instead of Tier 4, is minimizing the use of costly emission
filters and sensors. Depending on the particular chore, this
8285R requires between 7 and 11 gallons of fuel per hour.
The overall machine spans 10.5' high, by 13' wide by 20' long
and can till or plant a width of 26-34 feet, which is equivalent
to approximately 12 rows of corn at the spacing of 30''. It can
till an average of 20 acres/hour. The 8R Series also features
special high-intensity discharge lighting (HID), which
illuminates the field a full 360 degrees for night time use. The
70 square feet of glass in the windshield and side windows
make it easy to view operations from the cab. A special air
conditioning system
- Food Safety Standards for Export
to the U.S.: Belize foods exports must meet the U.S.
food safety standards under the Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law by President
Obama on January 4th 2011. According to recent data from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 48
million people in the U.S. get sick (1 in 6 Americans), 128,000
are hospitalized and 3000 die each year from food-borne disease
illness. The FSMA strengthens the food safety system, enabling the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to better protect public
health by giving FDA new tools and authorities to make certain
imported foods meet the same safety standards as foods produced
in the U.S.
The following are among FDA's key new import authorities and
mandates:
●● Importer accountability: For the first time, importers have
an explicit responsibility to verify that their foreign suppliers
have adequate preventive controls in place to ensure that the
food they produce is safe. (Final regulation and guidance were
due 1 year following enactment.)
●● Third party certification: The FSMA establishes a program
through which qualified third parties can certify that foreign
food facilities comply with U.S. food safety standards. This
certification may be used to facilitate the entry of imports.
(Establishment of a system for FDA to recognize accreditation
bodies is due 2 years after enactment.)
- Market Activity at BEL-CAR: By Dottie Feucht and Beth Roberson
As the leading container exporter from Belize City, Bel-Car is
working hard to fill its orders for red kidney (RK) beans and
black-eyed peas. The RK bean market is good this year and Bel-
Car is shipping them out as fast as they are being delivered to
them by the farmers, 4 - 5 shipping containers per week bound
for Jamaica. The U.S. also ships RKs to Jamaica but there are
three factors currently favoring Belize (1) beans from Belize are
not subject to the 40% duty the importers have to pay for U.S.
beans because of the CARICOM Free Trade Agreement, (2) the
drought in the U.S. reduced their yield considerably and (3) the
Jamaican bins are understocked. Because of farm subsidies in
the U.S. their exporters can sell beans at a lower price. When
Belize does not have enough beans for the Jamaican demand,
the Jamaican importers can obtain a waiver for the duty on U.S.
beans and fill their bins. Bel-Car is currently able to pay their
supplying farmers $1.55 vs. $1 per pound as in the past. Last
year Bel-Car shipped RKs to the U.S. because they did not have
enough to meet their domestic market demand. Even though
10 thousand acres of RKs are under cultivation in Orange Walk
and Corozal Districts, their yields this year are reduced because
of the drought they had in November and December. In Cayo
the season started out dry but early rains helped the crops but
the heavy rains later on damaged some of the crops; so the yield
in Cayo is also not a record-breaker.
The soil in northern Belize is not as good for growing corn as in
Cayo, where this past season's average yield was 4,300 pounds
per acre.
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: Dear Ag Readers: We have had a swinging time - things are moving. The first cattle have moved legally to Mexico.Even before that the very best 1000 & up steers were selling for 1.70 -1.80 per lb.
Quality , heavy weights and a 55% - 56% dressed weight is the goal. Lesser size and quality brings lesser price.We had the driest December then a wet January and now in late February we need
some rain. Corn and milo prices are sluggish; chicken and pigs are stronger. Farming is where you trade investment capital, high interest, unpredictable weather and uncertain markets to form
a home run . It seldom happens; the uncertainty of it all makes a farmer get close to the soil and talk to the creator . With God all things are possible. All the best, John Carr
- National Barrel Horse Association
(NBHA) Belize: By Marjie Olson
March, 2012, was the inaugural NBHA
Belize Race, held at the Belize Equestrian
Academy. Excellent ground was brought in to prepare the arena,
Farm Tek pro timers were purchased, fees were paid to the U.S.,
banners, barrels and flags were ready. And the season began.
We had an amazing year! Running as a professional Barrel Racing
Association that is known worldwide, and following the rules and
regulations, created an atmosphere of excellent sportsmanship
and professionalism. With the help of Banana Bank and Running
W hauling in horses most weekends, our average show hosted 24
entries in the Open and usually 18-20 in Youth. For Belize, that's
a great number of entries and they all competed for NBHA GIST
champion buckles. After a competitive season of 9 races we came
to the last run and it was an exciting final Open and Youth race as
three buckles were on the line. Two held and we had a tie; it was
a perfect way to end the first season.
We were seldom rained on, seldom over heated, no arguments, no
belligerent people�just good sportsmanship, great competitors
and spectators and we were blessed with good weather and safety
of horses and riders.
I was also blessed with Vicki Coverdale and Maruja Vargas for
my announcer and times keeper, respectively, as well as the other
duties they did. I am looking for another volunteer as Vicki has
moved to colder pastures. Seriously�we need more help and
people to offer to set barrels, keep times, announce, take entries,
and pay attention for judgment calls. It's a busy day and I have to
have help. SO please, volunteer.
- Chasing Belize Coconut Industry: The benefits of coconut are so high that worldwide demand
exceeds production. According to Manuel Trujillo, National
Crops Coordinator, at Central Farm, current production levels in
Belize do not meet the local demand in Belize for coconut products
let alone the vast export market. In addition to the increasing
regional demand for green coconut water, recent developments
in the world market have improved prospects for other higher
value coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut milk
and derivatives as well as growth in use of by-products from
coconuts husks and shells such as rubberized coir and coconut
peat. Consideration is made on the use of coconut byproducts for
bio-energy where this application may be viable and sustainable.
Health benefits of coconut include:
●● Effectively treats kidney stones and gastritis
●● Rehydrates the body effectively
●● Maintains body fluids
●● Maintains blood pressure
●● Prevents skin cancer and dry skin
Like many other tropical fruits, such as bananas, coconut water is
exceptionally high in potassium.
- Understanding Organic Matter and
Poor Soil Drainage: By Harold Vernon
My last article in Issue 19, Belize Ag Report, spoke about high
organic matter in soils and the benefits of soil organic matter.
There have been many reports of soils that have high organic
matter content and yet crops perform very poorly on them. The
key to understanding these soils is the amount of water retention
and the sustenance of an appropriate water level. So then, just
what are we to do to determine the appropriateness of the soil
and its capacity to be productive for the crop we will plant? It
is imperative that we know our soil first before deciding what to
plant.
Getting to know our soil can be done by more than one method.
Firstly, the native vegetation provides the first and most important
clues. Physical investigation by digging a soil pit provides
another. Soils all over Belize have been studied or surveyed and
reports exist that provide very good information and guides as
to the types and occurrences of soils. Land in British Honduras
by Charles Wright is the seminal guide and should be used along
with the consequential land use studies of Northern, Central and
Southern Belize.
Un-cleared land or neighboring un-cleared land provides the
first clues. Palmetto or short fan type palms and reeds always
indicate swamp land. Cutting type grasses, shrubs and prickly
bushes usually have small leaves. Fibrous grasses are present on
the drier portions that are prone to periodic flooding. These soils
are usually highly acidic.
- The Humble Pulse Gains Respect
and Market Share: By Beth Roberson
Found in 4,000 year old Egyptian pyramids, in 11,000 year old
Thailand caves, and reportedly in a Swiss Stone Age village, pulses
are among the oldest cultivated crops. A staple in India, China and
Asia, as well as in much of Central America for centuries, this high
protein nutritious legume is beginning to be appreciated in other
parts of the world. Now rediscovered and researched for fashionable
and healthy culinary dishes, pulses improve the declining quality of
Western diets, and serve myriad innovative purposes in processed
foods. The time for pulses has come - or more accurately, returned.
About 60 types of beans, grouped into 11 families by Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, comprise the pulse
family: (1.) dry beans (Phaseolus) - kidney bean, lima bean, Azuki
Bean, Mung bean; (2.) dry broad beans - Horse bean, Broad bean
and Field bean; (3.) dry peas (Piscum) - Garden pea, Protein pea;
(4.) chickpeas - garbanzo Bengal gram (Cicerarietinum); (5.) dry
cowpeas - black-eyed pea, blackeye bean (Vignaunguiculata); (6.)
Pidgeon peas - Ahar/Toor, Congo bean, gandulels; (7.) lentils (Lens
culinaris); (8.) Bambara groundnuts - earth pea; (9.) vetch - common
vetch (Vicia sativa); (10.) lupins (lupines); and (11.) minor pulses,
including: Lablab, Jack bean, Winged bean, Velvet bean and Yam
bean. Green beans and green peas are legumes but not considered
pulses; consumed green, they are classified as vegetables. Soybeans
and peanuts and other oil-rich crops are likewise excluded from the
pulses. In Belize our culinary pulse of choice is red kidney and for
export production the black-eyed pea.
- Belizeans Learn Beekeeping and
Honey Production: "Make sure there's no excess moisture, either from premature
harvest, rainy weather, high humidity, or condensation, in your
honey or it will be susceptible to fermentation," was one emphasis
of the class on beekeeping and honey production at the education
center of Bridge the Gap Ministries, located near Black Man
Eddy. The class was conducted by professional beekeeper and
honey producer from North Dakota, Alan King, on 6 consecutive
Saturdays during January and February 2013. His lectures were
simultaneously translated into Spanish and Chinese for the few
students who did not readily understand English.
Honey, which is about 80% water when it is brought to the hive
as nectar, is hygroscopic. That means it readily absorbs moisture.
Anything above 18.5 percent is considered excessive and could
result in the honey fermenting and spoiling. (See Rubber Boots
question/answer of Belize Ag Report, Issue 17.) In Belize,
extracting honey even in the driest months, usually March and
April, requires careful attention to monitoring moisture. Alan
stressed that the containers of extracted honey need to be capped
with a tight-fitting lid. Large commercial honey producers watch
their hives and test the honey that is extracted for moisture
using a refractometer. As part of their natural process, bees cap
the honey in the comb with wax at the right level of moisture.
Extraction can begin after all the comb cells have been capped in
the multiple frames of each box, called a super, that contains the
bees and the frames.
- The Effects of Corporate Funding
for Agricultural Research: By Michael Brubeck
The role of corporate funding of agricultural research at land grant
universities, of which there are more than 100 currently in the US, is
creating incentives for bias in independent university research. You
hear again and again Congress and regulators clamoring for sciencebased
rules, policies, and regulations. So if the rules and regulations
and policies are based on science that is industry-biased, then the
fallout goes beyond academic articles. It really trickles down to
farmer livelihoods and consumer choice. A recent report found that
nearly one quarter of research funding at land grant universities
now comes from corporations, compared to less than 15 percent
from the USDA. Although corporate funding of research surpassed
USDA funding at these universities in the mid-1990s, the gap is
now larger than ever. What's more, a broader look at all corporate
agricultural research, $7.4 billion in 2006, dwarfs the mere $5.7
billion in all public funding of agricultural research spent the same
year. Influence does not end with research funding, however.
In 2005, nearly one third of agricultural scientists reported
consulting for private industry. Corporations endow professorships
and donate money to universities in return for having buildings,
labs, and wings named for them. Purdue University's Department
of Nutrition Science blatantly offers corporate affiliates "corporate
visibility with students and faculty" and "commitment by faculty
and administration to address [corporate] members' needs," in
return for the $6,000 each corporate affiliate pays annually. In
perhaps the most egregious cases, corporate boards and college
leadership overlap. In 2009, South Dakota State's president, for
example, joined the board of directors of Monsanto, where he earns
six figures each year. This appears to be a conflict of interest at face
value; however let's not jump to conclusions about the integrity of an
individual without factual basis.
- The Bias Against GMO: When we humans hold a bias concerning a certain issue, that
bias can be regarded as truth by us and, we think, should
become law. Another person may be of an exact opposite bias,
also regarding it as truth. In other words, the owner of the bias
says "There are two truths - only mine is really true and your
truth is false". One subject of bias these days concerns firearm
controls - particularly in the US, but also in Belize.
Simply put, a large percentage of murders happen in Belize by
using knives, machetes and clubs. How can we eliminate all guns,
knives, machetes and clubs? (Impossible) When the evil enemy
makes me or you or my home or your home a mark, probably
an equal or superior weapon gives us a chance or dissuades the
evil one from coming into our presence. The evil one can get
a weapon from theft, an underground store or a neighbouring
country and "that's no maybe ". We probably won't go that route
and the law makes it very difficult to keep a gun in our home or
on our person. All of this adds up to Unfair - Unfair. All of this
is the result of a bias that became law.
When we have a bias, we search for evidence for support. We
may hunt for a scientific statement that proves GMO to be
harmful. (There is plenty of supporting information). Then we
will ignore the implementing health and safety agencies of forty
some governments where GMO producers make up to 85- 95%
of the crops grown in that country. The agriculture producers
in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, United States and
Canada - to name a few, mostly use GMO technology. Corn is
only one of the many food products that use GMO science.
- Stressed Vegetables: It happens to all of us: the home gardeners and the mass producers.
We forget to water our leafy greens or the day is particularly hot and
our veggies start to wilt just a bit. A few minutes after irrigation they
return to their leafy glory. Later, at harvest time the plants appear to
be physically unaffected except for a few lost leaves, no significant
change in flavors. No harm done, right? Wrong. We were taught that
and plenty of water and sunshine encouraged by a sprinkle or two of
our favorite fertilizer is essential to plant growth; but sometimes too
much sunshine and just enough water needed to keep the plant alive
can cause a series of events resulting in the plant producing high levels
of substances which may damage our health in the long run. Research
funded by ICDF conducted on Chinese kale revealed fascinating
results which could cause one to rethink the nutrition content of his
or her favorite green-leafy once it has been subjected to stress-water
stress.
Water is especially important to plants since it helps to dissolve the
essential nutrients in the soil and act as a vehicle to transfer these
nutrients into and throughout the plant and then shuttle any waste
out. Water also combines with the energy of sunlight and nutrients
from the soil in the process of photosynthesis to make the starches,
sugars and proteins. These photosynthates produced by plants
provide food for the plant itself as well as humans and any other
animal that consume it. Plants can survive short term periods of
reduced water availability which they can quickly recuperate from but
this is a delicate balance that can quickly lead to permanent wilting if
it is prolonged.
- Linking the Caribbean: Conferences/Meetings
30TH West Indies Agricultural Conference (held jointly with the
Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS)and the International
Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) -30th June-6th July, 2013
See info on call for papers and registration on: http://
www.caestt.com
Caribbean Week of Agriculture
This annual event is held in a different Caribbean
country every year around October/November.
http://www.caribbeanweekofagriculture.ag
Agricultural Associations
Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS)
http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu
Caribbean Agro-Economic Society
http://www.caestt.com
Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)
http://www.caribbeanfarmers.org
Institutions
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
(CARDI)
http://www.cardi.org
Inter -American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
http://www.iica.int/Eng/Pages/default.aspx
FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
http://www.rlc.fao.org/en
Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute
http://new.paho.org/cfni/
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
http://www.caribbeanclimate.bz/
Trade Info
Agri Trade
- HURRAH for the FIRST LEGAL
EXPORT of CATTLE: Belizean ranchers had grown weary
waiting for the first legal export of cattle
to Mexico, but it finally happened on
February 25, 2013. Forty-four heavy
weight steers, assembled in a certified
shipping corral in Blue Creek, Orange
Walk District were loaded into a
waiting Mexican truck. The double
deck transport was sealed by sanitary
officials and began the journey to a
slaughter facility in Villa Hermosa,
Tabasco, Mexico. Belize cattle prices
are at an all-time high.
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Posts: 84,397
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The May - June 2013 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online HERE
This Issue's Stories:
- The Queen Honeybee: A miracle in the beehive: this is the best way I can describe
the Queen Honeybee. Her creation and design can only have
come from above. Her life begins as an egg. It looks like any
ordinary worker (female) egg in the cell of a honeycomb,
white, and about the size of a thin mechanical pencil lead, no
more than a 1/16" long. If the worker bees see that their queen
is seriously failing in egg laying capacity or health, or they
know the colony is about to swarm they will set about to raise
a new queen. The worker bees may take an egg and put it into
a queen cell which workers have constructed from beeswax
or the old queen herself will lay worker eggs in queen cells in
preparation for swarming. Worker bees must then care for
the larva. These selected larvae must be fed royal jelly for the
entire period of larval growth from day 3 to day 10 of the 16
days of the queen's development into an adult. The queen cell
looks like a peanut and can be found on the face of a brood
comb or hanging from the bottom bar of a frame that holds a
comb. Worker and drone larvae are provided with royal jelly
for only three days, then are switched to a diet of a mixture
of honey and pollen known as "bee bread" for the balance of
their larval feeding. The physiological differences that result
from the different diet are a miracle! To think the feeding
of royal jelly to a larva will produce this egg laying machine
which can lay up to 1800 eggs in a day is incredible.
- Bt As Organic Spray: Bt(bacterium thuringiensis) is accepted in certified organic
applications as a spray. Bt normally exists in the environment
and is concentrated for use as a controlling item in the
caterpillar stage of a moth. Bt does not naturally penetrate
the cellular wall of a plant cell. If a caterpillar consumes the
cell, and the Bt is present on the exterior of the cell structure,
then the Bt is active in the gut of the caterpillar, thus blocking
the absorption of the nutriments of the cell that is consumed.
The caterpillar has a very simple digestive tract that has only
one purpose: consume and absorb the nutriments for energy
to grow. Bt exists in all surroundings as a bacterium. This
is the reason a moth lays hundreds to thousands of eggs;
population density ensures that the species will survive,
even if the environment creates a high population of Bt at
that given time. As humans, we digest Bt, and our acids of
the early digestive tract destroy the bacterium. This is due to
the fact that the exterior of the cellular structure that we are
consuming is broken down first in the digestive tract; further
in the digestive tract, the cellular wall of the singular cell is
broken to allow digestion of the interior components of the
cell.
The cellular wall of plants and animals are constructed of
lipids, which allow the resistance and protective barrier of the
cell internals. The RNA inside of the cell determines which
items are allowed to penetrate the cellular wall and enter the
interior region. Normal Bt as an external application will
never penetrate the cellular wall, due to being rejected as a
foreign material.
- International Seed Treaty
A Hope to Reduce Global Conflict
Over Genetic Resources: On 29 June 2004 the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture (popularly known as the
International Seed Treaty) came into force. The treaty ensures
that plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, which are
vital for human survival, are conserved and sustainably used,
are kept accessible and in the public domain, and further, that
benefits from their use are equitably and fairly distributed.
The treaty was negotiated by 164 governments under the auspices
of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FOA) and was agreed by consensus by the FAO Conference
on 3 November 2001. The Convention on Biological Diversity
has welcomed it as it covers the plant genetic resources of an
exceptional set of biodiversity - agricultural biodiversity - that
need special treatment. Signed or acceded by 85 states including
the United States and all 15 states of European Union, the
ratifications of this treaty are the most rapid of any international
agreement in recent history and are evenly spread between
industrialized and developing countries underlining the global
urgency on food security.
- What did we learn durning March's GMO AWARENESS MONTH?:
- The Money Trees: Aaromas and piquant flavours. The popularity of certain spices can
be attributed to the practice of Humoral medicine gleaned from
the ancient Greeks who taught that the balance of the major bodily
fluids (humors) was the key to human health and emotions. Spices
were used to stimulate the senses and it was this belief that fueled
the quest for discovery and kept the spice trade booming. During
medieval times Muslim traders controlled the maritime routes
and, secreting their information, sold their cargoes to the middle
men, the merchants of Venice. After the fall of the Byzantine
Empire the Ottomans seized and blocked the trade routes, levying
huge taxes on all. The Europeans not wanting to be controlled
by non-Christians increased their flotillas and set out to discover
alternative routes to the spice islands. Initially it was to provide
for the wealthy. There was a lot at stake and nutmeg became a
more lucrative commodity than gold. During such a voyage the
American continent was discovered. Success in finding a way to
the spice islands of Banda, Indonesia created fierce competition
with nations vying for control of the spice trade. The Dutch
gained Banda Island the principal place of nutmeg by death or
deportation of its inhabitants. The British controlled the Isle of
Run but the Dutch were prepared to go to great lengths to gain the
monopoly. After much blood shed the British relinquished their
hold of the neighbouring Run in exchange for New Amsterdam,
now Manhattan- New York City, renamed by the Brits. The British
had already smuggled out nutmeg stock and were able to replant in
the Caribbean West Indies beginning with Grenada.
The nutmeg tree (MyristicaFragrans) is an attractive evergreen
which bears a yellow fruit that opens to reveal a red lacy covering
which will make the spice mace and further a hard seed from which
nutmeg comes. It is a dioecious tree having both male and female
trees and unfortunately it takes about 6 years to find out which
is which and 7-10 years to start bearing. It now grows in many
places with tropical climates. The yellow skin is tasty but stains
clothes and can be used for sweets or jams. Mace colours food a
beautiful bright orange and is therefore good in sauces and stews.
- International Seed: - use, save, sell and exchange seeds,
- protect relevant traditional knowledge,
- participate equitably in sharing benefits derived from the use
of seeds, and
- participate in national decision-making related to the
conservation and sustainable use of seeds.
Most of the locally developed agricultural biodiversity is now
under threat and needs urgent actions to halt its privatization,
modification and elimination. International and local actions are
needed to counter the rapid loss of these varieties. Restrictive
patents on these genes could negatively affect the food security of
over 1 billion smallholder farmers in the developing world.
Much work is to be done by the governing body charged with
implementation of the treaty. It remains to be seen whether
governments have the will to cooperate to preserve the global
commons and the genetic diversity upon which the world has
come to depend.
- The Anatomy of a Weed Killer
Or How Glyphosate Kills Plants: More than 30% of all herbicides sprayed anywhere on the globe
contain glyphosate-the world's bestselling weed killer.
The herbicide doesn't destroy plants directly. Glyphosate itself is
only slightly toxic to plants. The chemical sets up a set of conditions
that accelerates disease-causing organisms in the soil, and at the
same time wipes out plant defenses against those diseases. The
mechanisms are well-documented but rarely cited:
- Glyphosate acts as a chelator of vital nutrients, depriving plants
of the nutrients necessary for healthy plant function,
- Glyphosate destroys beneficial soil organisms that help plants
absorb nutrients and that also suppress disease-causing
organisms,
- Glyphosate interferes with photosynthesis, reduces water use
efficiency, shortens root systems and causes plants to release
sugars, which changes the pH of the soil, and
- Glyphosate intensifies the multiplication of toxic pathogens in
the soil.
Glyphosate annihilates beneficial soil organisms such as
Pseudomonas and Bacillus bacteria that live around the roots. Since
these beneficial bacteria facilitate the uptake of plant nutrients and
suppress disease-causing organisms, their untimely deaths mean
the plant gets even weaker and the pathogens multiply at accelerated
rates.
In addition to weakening plants as cited above, glyphosate also
changes the makeup of the soil and boosts the number of diseasecausing
organisms. The actual plant assassins are severe diseasecausing
organisms present in almost all soils not the glyphosate
itself. Glyphosate dramatically promotes these severe, diseasecausing
organisms which in turn overrun the weakened crops with
deadly infections.
- Energetic Agriculture & Fertilizers: Plants do not live by fertilizers, but rather from the energy they
receive from fertilizers. In other words, as long as plants receive
energy they will live and grow until their cycle comes to an end
and they return back to dust from whence they came.
As I wrote in the March/April #20 issue of the Belize Ag
Report, there are three different trains of thought about
agriculture -- organic, conventional and energetic agriculture.
The approach to the use of fertilizers is a good example of the
difference in thinking.
The standard for all three is to take a soil test - a Cation Exchange
Capacity (CEC). The father of this standard test is the late William
Albrecht, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Soils and Chairman of
the Department of Soils at the University of Missouri's College
of Agriculture. This test measures the "holding capacity" of soil
and determines how much nutrient is theoretically being held by
the clay and humus colloids. According to the CEC theory, clay
and humus are negatively charged and "hold" positively charged
minerals or soil nutrients. The procedure of the test is usually
done at soil-labs using chemical solutions to extract nutrients.
Dr. Carey Reams along with Frank LaMotte developed the
LaMotte test because Dr. Reams felt that the CEC test was better
for long-term planning because the CEC test told the farmer
what was in the soil, but not what is available to the plant for
its growing. The LaMotte procedure uses solutions for nutrient
extraction which are more similar to those produced by the plant
roots. The best solution is for the farmer to use both tests. The
lab CEC test identifies an element and its quantity in the soil; the
LaMotte test tells what is available for the plant and the amounts
that the plant has for its growth.
- Enhancing Quality and
Relevance of the Curriculum
UB Central Farm Campus: The Agriculture Department
of the University of Belize
(UBCF) in partnership with
three western Canadian
community colleges, namely
Lakeland, Bow Valley, and
Parkland, has embarked on
a project to further develop
its curriculum over the next
three years. The outcomes
at this level include the
development of teaching
materials and tools, and the capacity to manage a program which
will offer degrees in applied agriculture at the Associate and
Baccalaureate levels. The new curriculum would be demand driven
and designed to meet occupational standards of local industries
and vocational standards of the Caribbean Association of National
Training Agencies (CANTA).
This initiative is the institutional development component of a
wider project in CARICOM funded by the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) and entitled CARICOM Education
for Employment project (C -EFE). The project which commenced
its third year on 1st April, 2013 has a total budget of $(Can) 20M
and aims to develop 16 programs in the region over a five year
period. The Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MOEYS)
selected agriculture as the program for Belize with UBCF as the
lead institute for the development of a model curriculum as part
of a seamless system of learning from secondary school to the
Baccalaureate degree.
- Sorghum (Milo) Production
Expected to Surge
Corn Substitution & Favorable Export Prospects: Sorghum bicolor, locally known as milo, was domesticated in
northern Africa where it thrives in their harsh dry climate. Other
names for it are durra or msumbija (Africa), jowar (India), Samshu
(N. China) and kaoliang (Arabia). World leaders in sorghum
production are Nigeria 12%, India 11%, Mexico 11% and the USA
10% (2011). Worldwide production has increased 66% in the last
50 years. People have relied extensively on flour and other food
products from milo in Africa, northern China, Korea and India.
Haiti consumes a popular sorghum grits-like porridge known as
'pitim'. North American use is predominantly as a cattle feed.
Belize usage has been mainly for livestock and that is quickly
expanding into hog and chicken feeds, replacing the more costly
corn.
Nutritionally milo is very similar to corn. University of Wisconsin
reports sorghum at slightly higher protein (avg. 9%) and fat than
corn, but with a lower vitamin A content. Per pound, milo ranges
from 90% to nearly 100% of corn's feeding value. Protein in both
corn and milo ranges between 7 and 11 %, and both lack lysine and
other amino acids. Milo's proteins and starches are more difficult
for animals to digest. However, milo digestibility increases with
cracking, rolling or grinding. Research to enhance digestibility is
ongoing; some success has been shown with steam-flaking. Some
varieties (hybrids) have been developed to discourage birds; these
have higher tannins and phenolic compounds but have lower
digestibility than other varieties.
- Photosynthesis:
Turning Sun's Energy Into Corn: Last year I was driving from San Antonio to my sheep ranch in
Cayo District when I noticed for the first time that an area near
the center of a hillside of plantains had turned yellow. I don't
know why I hadn't noticed it before. The plants had certainly
not turned yellow overnight. People who know these things tell
me that the term for yellow plants in these circumstances is
chlorosis. The plants in that area of the field did not have enough
chlorophyll, the pigment that all farmers know makes plants
green. I had seen similar color changes in many different kinds of
plants and in different circumstance. The question was why does
this happen? Obviously, the plants were not healthy. The growing
season was good; plenty of rain and the other plants appeared a
nice rich green indicating they had received fertilizer suggesting
good care. So what was going on?
Chlorophyll is a "magic" molecule existing right in the center of
what we are in the living world. By that I mean, we have animals
and plants on this earth. Animals cannot live without plants
but plants can live without animals. Plants cannot live without
chlorophyll, which puts that green pigment in the center of the
entire process. It plays a central role because of two things:
it helps plants capture the sun's energy and transforms it into
the chemical energy used by the plants to grow and produce
everything plants produce. Because of the capture of sun's energy,
it also creates a storage form of energy in products like starch,
protein, and fiber we find in corn, wheat, oats, and soybeans as
well as in the blades of forage grasses. The second thing it does
is use atmospheric CO2 (carbon dioxide) and water to release
oxygen; photosynthesis is the major source of oxygen we breathe.
- SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SET TO
TAKE OFF IN BELIZE: In 2011, Belize imported 43.2 million pounds of soybean
concentrate (more commonly known as soymeal) and animal
feeds valued at BZ $23.6 Million. Two countries, the United
States ($12.4 Million) and Mexico ($8.7 Million), supplied
89% of our feed imports and almost all of soymeal imports
come from genetically modified (GM) soybean. Approximately
75% of the soymeal imported is used to make poultry feed and
most of the remaining balance is used to make pig feed. With
increasing population and the growing trend in Belize to eat
the lower priced white meat, particularly chickens and turkeys,
the demand for soymeal will continue to increase. Belize's
production, or use of soymeal, is only a trickle when compared to the global scene, where the USA, Brazil and Argentina are the
three dominant players both in terms of production and export.
The processing of soybeans results in the production of 85%
soymeal and therefore it is estimated that Belize would need to
produce just about 50 million pounds of soybean to satisfy our
national demand for soymeal. Using an average yield of 2,000
pounds per acre, a minimum of 25,000 acres is required to
produce the amount of soybeans needed by Belize.
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: A -B denotes the difference between 1st preference & second preference and sometimes between wholesale & retail
a nd bulk or small amounts . Trend (H) means Higher over last 30 to 60 days (L) Lower (S) Steady.
Prices intend on being farm gate in Belize dollars - usually price per lb. Dear Ag Readers: The cattle sweep is moving on and the teams have completed approximately 20,000 in the Orange Walk/Corozal Districts. The Blue Creek Cattle committee
had already completed approximately 19,00 head for a total of almost 40 % of the Belize herd. They expect to finish tagging , testing for TB and brucella by mid may and then move
to the Cayo/BZE. Districts. The best news is that we have not had even one animal that is diseased. We see a nice bump in citrus of almost $2 a bag and the farm price for RK beans
is $160 per bag. AGRICULTURE - THE FUTURE OF BELIZE - please Government, be as business and environmentally friendly as possible . Collect revenue from taxes and the
sale of government property and try to cut waste where possible. It is evident that Belize is one of God's favourite places. The exciting flora, fauna, beautiful waters, tourist sites
and a climate that can grow almost anything - the mercury goes through 80�F everyday of the year. With God All Things Are Possible - All the Best John Carr
- Laminitis/Founder: Laminitis is a devastating hoof issue
for many horses; once it has become
founder, horses will always be
foundered.
A basic explanation: within the hoof
capsules lies the Pedal Bone-Coffin
Bone-P3-Distal Phalanx, the final
bone of the foot. It is surrounded by
laminae. The laminae holds the Pedal
Bone in suspension. The laminae is
"live" in that it is a blood flowing part
of the hoof. The way this blood works
is against gravity and any compromise
to the flow can cause an ischemic necrosis of the laminae resulting
in pain. The more damage done to the laminae, the bigger risk
of actual founder, meaning the Pedal Bone has started to shift
downward, due to the laminae dying off and not being able to
support the bone in its natural position.
Laminitis, before rotation has occurred, can be helped and even
cured but once a horse has actually foundered, the chance of
recovery is much diminished. The horse can be helped and made
more comfortable, but will also have the risk of foundering again
and again, each time losing more of the valuable healthy laminae
and causing more pain.
How do horses get laminitis? Many ways and often man made.
The most common is carbohydrate overload: too much grain or
quick change in feed without slowly mixing the feeds together, or
too much grass at one time, not allowing a horse to be on pasture
short periods of time to start and increasing availability slowly or
even simply having the rain come and the grass grow to quickly,
too rich.
- Belize Equestrian Academy
and Light Rein Farm: invite you to come and improve your Equine skills. Marjie Olson, an
instructor with 40 years of teaching experience, can help you build
your confidence and give you an outdoor physical excursion that
will work your mind and your body. Wonderful lesson horses are
available and you choose English or Western style. Call 663-4609 or
email [email protected] or just stop by and see what we do!
- Moving Forward to Grasp Livestock
Opportunities: Belize Ag Report writers visited
with Dr. Muhammad Ibrhahim
to discuss the Belizean livestock
industry. Dr. Ibrahim was
appointed IICA (Instituto
Interamericano de Cooperation para la Agricultura) Country
Director in November 2012. A Guyanese native, Dr. Ibrahim
received his PhD degree at Wageningen Agriculture University
in the Netherlands, prior to his 25 years with CATIE (Centro
Agronomic de Investigacion y Ensenenza) in Costa Rica, where
he headed CATIE's Livestock and Environmental Program.
During his time with CATIE, he participated in programs in all
the Meso-American countries, including Belize. This article is a
direct reflection of that enlightening visit.
With world demand for beef projected to grow 3
to 4 % annually in the foreseeable future, how can
production be increased in Belize without damaging
our environment? Can responsible sustainable livestock
ranches, in fact, capture more carbon than is created during
beef production? Can these ranches then become a part of the
world's environment protection solution? These are issues which
Dr. Ibrahim ponders. He feels certain that there are many viable
options for both large and small Belizean ranchers, which can
contribute to solving and avoiding environmental problems and
also improve ranchers' bottom lines.
With plentiful arable land, good water and our low population
density (15.11 persons/sq. km.), Belize is in prime position for
ecological intensification of cattle production to capitalize on
growing regional and international markets. Loss of prime
agricultural land by conversion to tourism and residential and
industrial use is happening in some of the other Central American
countries, especially Costa Rica (for example, Guanacaste region).
Belize is not at that crossroads currently, but it may become a
consideration for us in the future.
- History of Cattle Production in Central America: From the 1970's to 2000, demands for cheap U.S. beef resulted
in the large scale deforestation and pasture expansion in Central
America which was fostered by inappropriate government policies
and loans from international donor agencies. Brazil in particular
has borne much criticism for its clearing and exploitation of
the Amazon. The livestock industries are also heavily blamed
for contributing to global warming, especially because of the
emissions of methane and nitrous oxide gases produced by
livestock, and because of losses in carbon stocks attributed to land
use changes. There are new trends for environmentally conscious
livestock products, and experts believe that productivity of
existing systems can be increased, and the environment can
be simultaneously protected, creating a win-win situation for
an expanding beef industry. Here are some of the paths which
Belizean producers may explore to increase carrying capacity and
increase yield and income.
- The Wonders of Pineapple: The next time you have iced tea try putting
a slice of pineapple in it for sweetening.
The area closer to the base of the fruit
has more sugar content and therefore a
sweeter taste and more tender texture.
Not only will the pineapple give the tea a
delicious flavor, it will aid your digestion
because of the bromelain it contains.
Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances including a group
of protein-digesting enzymes called cysteine proteinases. The
bromelain of the fruit is not as rich a source as that found in the
core and stem which is usually extracted and made into a dietary
supplement. Research studies have shown that bromelain taken
as a dietary supplement reduces inflammation, heartburn, upset
stomach, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of
tumor growth.
You don't have to take bromelain as a dietary supplement to
benefit from pineapple. Even fresh pineapple has wonderful
health benefits. There are 80 nutrients listed on one health
food-related web site for pineapple. It is rich in Vitamin C, the
body's primary water-soluble antioxidant, defending it against
free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. Free radicals
have been shown to promote the artery plaque build-up of
atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, cause the airway
spasm that leads to asthma attacks, damage the cells of the colon
so they become colon cancer cells, and contribute to the joint pain
and disability seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Western Dairies - A Pioneering
Enterprise: Western Dairies, a co-op known all
over Belize for its dairy products, was
founded by 16 farmers and business
men in 1967 in two wooden buildings,
about 30`x 48` in the heart of Spanish
Lookout. It was not easy to establish
the dairy. There was no electricity and
most of the equipment was used, creating many maintenance
problems, which were solved by the hard work of the board
members themselves. For example ice water is needed to cool
pasteurized milk to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. When the ice builder
machine malfunctioned someone had to hurry to San Ignacio to
buy ice and if a local repair could not be done, it was necessary to
call a refrigerator man from Orange Walk. In the '60s that was a
major trip! A boiler was needed to heat the milk. But obtaining a
satisfactory boiler wasn't easy either (see Pioneer Years in Belize
pages 92-94). An old locomotive boiler was finally purchased
from the government of Belize but it was on top of an 800-ft. high
hill and presented a formidable task to transport it to Spanish
Lookout. The boiler is actually a steel water tank with tubes
installed horizontally from one end to the other. Water flows all
around the tubes and hot air, fired by wood, travels in the tubes
from one end to the other and out the chimney. The water in the
tank turns into steam and with it the pasteurizer is heated. To get
enough dry fire wood and to fire the boiler every morning was
quite a job. Later a small kerosene-fired boiler was bought. But
leaking pipes were a constant problem and had to be replaced with new ones. A new, modern boiler was bought in the eighties
which solved most of the problems. This one served until 2002
when it was replaced with a bigger one.
- Apples of Belize-
Star Apple: Most of the apples in this
series "Apples of Belize" are
not botanically classified
as apples; however, they
are commonly known and
considered to be apples in
Belize and other tropical
countries around the
world.
The star apple tree,
Chrysophyllum cainito,
produces a fruit which
is commonly known
throughout the world as
caimito; other names include cainito, star apple, golden leaf tree,
abiaba, pomme du lait, milk fruit and aguay. The star apple is
considered a minor fruit of the Sapotaceae family. The star apple
is native to the West Indies and the lowlands of Central America.
It has become naturalized in Haiti and many islands of the
Caribbean and as far south as northern Peru and is also cultivated
in Africa, Australia and the Philippines where star apples are a
common roadside tree. Star apple trees are intolerant of cold
temperatures, but thrive in tropical settings.
The star apple tree is an erect tree with a short trunk and grows
from twenty-five to approximately fifty feet tall. The branches
are brown and hairy and exude a gummy white latex substance.
The glossy dark green evergreen leaves of the tree are from three
to seven inches long and two inches wide. The underside of the
leaves shines with a golden color in the sun. The attractive tree is
sometimes grown as an ornamental due to the dense foliage with
velvety, coppery-golden undersides and the tiny purplish-white,
fragrant flowers that are visible prior to the fruiting of the tree.
- Litchi Cultivation: Propagation: The most widely used method of litchi
propagation is air layering, however litchis may also be
propagated from seeds, grafting or cuttings. If propagating from
seed, the seed must be maintained in moist sphagnum moss;
otherwise the seed begins to shrivel within 24 hours and in 5
days is no longer capable of germinating. The seed must be sown
horizontally at a depth of 1 to 2.5 cm in a well-drained sowing
medium in a partly shaded, well irrigated location. The sowing
medium should be either peat, or various mixtures of sand, peat,
vermiculite, soil and compost.
Germination should occur within 3 days. Thereafter, when the
plant has reached a height of 10 to 15 cm. it should be transplanted
into a bag. The plant should remain in the bag until a subsequent
vegetative flush has occurred. Plants propagated from seeds do
not reproduce the characteristics of the parent plant. Also, they
are extremely slow to bear fruit.
The purpose of propagation by grafting is to introduce one
cultivar of litchi (the new cultivar) to a different cultivar (the
existing tree). The new cultivar is usually from seed stock which
is approximately 9 months old. The grafting may be done by any
of the three traditional methods: the splice approach, the tongue
approach or the inlay approach.
- Local and Regional
Fuel Prices:
- Belize is also experiencing somewhat of a farm and
ranch land 'boom': with a strong surge of prospective and actual
buyers, both native Belizeans and foreigners. A new generation
of Belizeans is awakening to local farming and agricultural valueadded
opportunities. Tillable farmland tops the most sought
after list, followed closely by raw land and small farms.
Although European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) has approved
GMO crops, Poland joins 7 other
EU countries (Austria, France,
Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg,
Greece and Bulgaria) all of which ban
the cultivation of GMO crops.
Poland's Agriculture Ministry fears
cross pollination with non-GMO crops and also fears the GMO
pollen could contaminate honey. They report that "there are no
scientific assessments confirming that GMO crops are safe for the
environment and people".
- Ag Briefs
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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Posts: 84,397
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The August - September 2013 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online HERE
This Issue's Stories:
- Opportunities and Global Perspective
of Cacao for Belize:
Cacao Field Day and Forum: The market for chocolate
couldn't be better. There
is a worldwide deficit of
60,000 metric tons. Just at
the time that production is
decreasing in the two main
exporter countries of Ghana
and Brazil the demand
is increasing by 3% per
year, creating a wonderful
market opportunity for Belize. This was the theme of the forum
held in Toledo on June 12, 2013. The forum developed from an
idea that the U.S. Ambassador, H.E. VinaiThummalapally, had
when he visited Toledo cacao producers in February. Having
heard about Belize's excellent chocolate quality in places he's
visited and seeing the potential for the chocolate produced in
Toledo he contacted Mr. Jose Alpuche, CEO of the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA), and Dr. Muhammad
Ibrahim, Country Director of InstitutoInteramericano de
Cooperation para la Agricultura (IICA), and Mr. Anhil Sinha
of Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute
(CARDI), to sponsor the forum. In addition to the sponsoring
organizations, the stakeholders included members of the Toledo
Cacao Growers Association (TCGA), the Toledo Agriculture
Development Association (TADA), cacao farmers and processors.
- Good Pesticide Management Practices
Execution Progress and Future Work: The Good Pesticides
Management Practices
- Farmer Recognition
Initiative (GPMPFRI)
commenced in
November 2012 and
is an interagency
collaborative initiative
undertaken to promote
and recognize good
pesticide management
practices among
volunteer farmers by bringing into focus the potential sources
of agrochemical contamination for horticultural products
from the field to consumers.
The initiative is expected to improve the competitiveness of
participating local farmers through a scheme that will award
public recognition to those in compliance with the GPMPFRI's
requirements. Farmers' compliance is monitored and
recorded by way of a toolkit which was developed based on
Global G.A.P. criteria. In addition to farm inspection and field
sampling activities, the initiative also has a farmer assistance
component whereby volunteer farmers are provided with
basic information and training in pesticide management and
application practices. Tangible support in the form of personal
protective equipment, pesticide storage units, field guides and
other tools to improve pesticide management practices on the
farm also form part of assistance offered to volunteer farmers.
- TO THE EDITOR: Good Morning Beth,
I just wanted to say that I read every Belize paper every day and
the Ag Report is the best of them all. Real stuff. Stuff that can help
the country and our neighborhoods. NO POLITICS. Its manna from
heaven. Thanks again.
Marty Casado
BelizeNews.com
- Bill Lindo responds to Vernon's Response Issue
21 page 5: Dear Harry Vernon,
I refer to your letter to the editor in issue # 21 in The Belize
Ag Reporton my subject "Energetic Agriculture". You stated
that I lack understanding of the subjects chemistry and soil
sciences. If you mean that as it relates today to the teaching
in schools and universities, then you are correct. The schools
teach a pseudoscience in obedience to the corporate masters.
God made the universe and nature is a product of God's action.
As human beings we have a job to try and understand how
nature works and discover its laws. In trying to understand
God's nature, we can never look at it in a linear-entropic way.
This foolishness that the whole is just the sum of the parts is
wrong to physical reality. The whole is always greater than the
sum of the parts.
My friend, you lack understanding of nature because nature
is not chemistry. Nature in regards to agriculture is made up
of chemistry and biology -- physics is the bridge that joins
them. You need to know all three and their relationship to
each other.
- What Has Professor Philip S. Callahan
Done for Agriculture?: In issue # 21 of The Belize Ag
Report I wrote that Prof Philip S.
Callahan is the greatest scientist
of the late twentieth century. Who
is this 90 year old scientist and
teacher? Prof. Callahan has written
over 18 books and published over
180 technical papers in various
journals. Agriculture practitioners
should read and study his books:
"Paramagnetism", "Ancient
Mysteries, Modern Visions",
and "The Soul of the Ghost
Moth".
He got his Ph.D. at Kansas State in
entomology (study of insects). He
wrote that his assignment under
Prof. Reginald Painter was "to find
out why plants that grew on poor
soil produced far more corn earworm moth eggs than those that
grew on dark, well-aerated, bottomland soil". In other words,
why is it that crops which are grown on healthy soils never attract
diseases and insects.
He wrote that it took him 40 years to discover the answer and he
also discovered how insects communicate. The results of his insect
discovery caused a "fire-storm" in entomology. Many teachers were
angry that he over-turned their "pet Theory of Olfaction". But the
United States government was very happy about his discoveries.
While he taught at Louisiana State University, University of Georgia,
and University of Florida (Gainesville), he also worked for both the Dept. of Agriculture (Southern Grain Insects Research Lab & USDA
Insect Attractant and Behavior Lab) and the Defense Department for
over 30 years.
- Tally Me Bananas: Driving into my property the other
day I was horrified to see how
neglected my banana plants looked:
overcrowded, with leaves dead and
perhaps even diseased. Earlier on
I had passed a newly erected sign
just before Riversdale advertising
Bunches of Fun Banana Tours 624
4297. Now there is a good idea. So
I made an advance booking for a
dozen ladies who were somewhat
skeptical when I asked if they would
like to accompany me. Our guide,
Evin, was lively, charming and eager
to tell us about the farm and the
importance of the banana industry
here in southern Belize. We were off
to a great start with an informative video outlining banana history.
Sagitun Farm is one of 24 farms in Belize owned by 9 farm owners
all forming the Banana Growers Association supplying bananas to
Fyffes. Although there are hundreds of varieties of the genus Musa,
the Cavendish is THE banana of choice grown by the globes' largest
producers. Export bananas were once the variety Gros Michel or
Big Mike but this was wiped out by Panama disease. The Cavendish
is its replacement and it could be threatened by other possible
diseases such as Black Sigatok, hence the need for strict handling
and chemical control.
We walked to the fields and were surrounded by large luscious
plants. The banana is, in fact, not a tree but the world's largest
herb. If there was any dissent in my group to begin with it was soon
replaced by smiles, keen interest and fascination.
- Xate Survival Story: What is Xate? Xate
(pronounced SHA-tay or
sha-teh) are ornamental
palm plants. Xate are
three of the eleven palms
that are part of the
Chamaedorea species.
Chamaedorea ernestiaugustii
is the most
familiar of the three. It
is typically known by its
common name, fishtail,
cola de pescado, pata
de vaca or rabbit ears.
Chamaedorea oblongata
common name is Jade,
Xate macho or oblongata.
Chamaedorea elegans
common name is Elegans,
Xate hembra or parlour palm.
Xate palm leaves are green and smooth. Plants can grow to be
seven feet tall, but generally fall over when they reach the height
of an average man.
Chamaedora palms grow from Mexico and Central America to
Bolivia and Brazil. Xate varieties are most commonly found within
Belize and Guatemala as they grow well in the shade and favorable
climate of the neo-tropical rain forest. Birds and mammals of
this region help to disperse and pollinate the seeds. Xate plants
are harvested for their leaves, seeds and whole plants for the
florist industry in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe.
- Apple Trees of Belize
Featuring the Mammee Apple: Mammee apples are not
botanically apples, but
have a similarity to apples
and are recognized and
known as apples in Belize
and the other tropical
countries where they are
grown and enjoyed.
Mammee apple, Mammea
americana, also known as
mammey apple, mamey
apple, coco apple, Saint
Domingo apricot, mamey amarillo, South American apricot,
abrico and several other names
native to the tropical country of
origin, produce fruits, which,
despite their resemblance to
apples, are botanically considered
to be berries. Mammee fruits
are grown from an attractive
evergreen tree of the Garcinia
family (Clusiaceae) which
resembles a magnolia tree.
Mammee apples are commonly
confused with Mamey Sapote (Pouteria sapota) of the
Sapotaceae family but are unrelated. Mammee apples are a
tropical fruit related to the mangosteen.
- 30 Years of Growth and Firsts
For Cayo's Running W Meats: Worldwide it is not uncommon for people to consider an imported
item more valuable than a locally produced product. In Belize this
has often seemed especially true. For a small and less developed
country (LDC), as Caricom classifies us, we are accustomed to much
importation. However, as one of only 2 Caricom net exporters of
food, the game is changing; Belize is gaining a reputation not only in
the numbers for exported food and commodities but also in the high
quality of our products, especially in the agriculture/food arena.
Running W's manager, Abdala Bedran, was chosen as one of the
main speakers at the 2012 International Brahman Congress, held in
Panama, in recognition of not only their excellent products but for
Running W's exceptional forward thinking sustainable management
at Cayo District's Running W Farm.
Running W is a family based business. The late Mr. Escandar
Bedran and his wife, the late Mrs. Paulita Bedran, parents of 7,
instilled a strong worth ethic in their children. Mr. Bedran was
successful in many varied businesses and had an affinity and talent
for purchasing land; Mrs. Bedran, a popular civic minded woman
and exceptional mother, instilled a strong respect for education in
her children and grandchildren. Wanting to maintain a strong and
close family, Mr. Bedran always encouraged and facilitated, when
possible, businesses which would maintain his family together
in Belize.
- FACING THE GIANT: AVIAN
INFLUENZA IN MEXICO: The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) 2012 and
2013 outbreaks in Mexico
have always been worrisome
to Belize but now, almost a
year later, with the disease
now in five Mexican states
Belize faces a formidable
giant. The outbreak first
started in Jalisco in June
2012 and, by November, Mexican authorities considered
it eradicated. However, there was a loss of some 22 million
birds due to the disease or control measures and some 166
million doses of vaccine were applied. But it re-surfaced at
the start of 2013 with a vengeance spreading to nearby states
and resulted in 12 states vaccinating against HPAI, 9 of these
states being unaffected states. This giant with the outbreak
now being reported in Puebla, Mexico has its sword drawn
against Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan peninsula. As in
biblical times when David faced Goliath, Belize now needs to
face the threat of HPAI from Mexico. This giant is a threat to
Belize's food security, economy, poultry industry and animal
health. Public health is not under any threat as the disease is
primarily a bird disease.
Belize's response is a coordinated response with the lead
being taken by BAHA and the Belize Poultry Association
(BPA). Regular meetings of poultry committees (poultry
advisory committee, poultry health committee) are held to
update on the evolution of the disease as well as to harmonise
preparation and prevention measures. While BAHA is
strengthening its veterinary services for early detection and
prompt response, the BPA is ensuring that its producers
are aware of the threat and step up biosecurity measures.
- BEL-CAR UPDATES: These are Bel-Car's main products, by percentage (dollars, not
volume) with note of direction from previous year.
BLACK EYE PEAS: down, approx. 10%
RK BEANS: level, 25%
CORN: up, 64%
SORGHUM: slowly up, less than 1%
BLACK EYE PEAS: Production this past year is still low, and is
expected to remain low again next year, due to prices returning
to $0.65-0.70/lb, down from the unrealistic $1.00 to 1.10 of
last year. Bel-Car management travels extensively, analyzing
global factors, increasing their marketing success. Trips to the
Middle East increased understanding of the short but premium
market for black eyes for the Ramadan holidays. Europe has also
purchased some Bel-Car black eyes this season and discussions
are under way with southern US growers, who may need to
import to meet their regular customer demands.
RKs: Bel-Car is still buying at $1.60, although international prices
are cheaper; Bel-Car will need to reduce prices or stop selling.
After a time of world scarcity of RKs, the USA and Argentina raised
their production levels, which lowered world prices. Buyers such
as Trinidad are already buying out of the region, paying the heavy
40% Common External Tarriff (CET). Presently slightly more
RKs are inventoried in country than will be consumed locally, so
prices must decline. Higher local consumption will likely follow,
and more beans in local rice and beans.
- Cattle Sweep in Spanish Lookout
Finally Begins: The Belize cattle sweep, which began in the Northern Mennonite
community of Blue Creek in November of 2012, finally arrived
in Cayo's Spanish Lookout. 400 head of cattle were tested
on Monday, June 17th, with a follow up reading of results on
Thursday, 20th June. Two visits with each animal are required to
complete the service. On the first day the cattle have blood drawn
for bovine brucellosis and are given a bovine TB (tuberculosis)
test under the tail. Blood samples are sent to the lab, but the TB
tests require the cattle to be individually handled again precisely
3 days later, to manually read those results. For the completion of testing for the approximately 14,000 to 15,000 head within the
community, the national committee projects a 4 week timeline.
- All Ranchers May Choose Eartag Type: Computer
Readable or Not: There seems to be much confusion within the various Mennonite
communities concerning the 'computer ID chips' which are
available, but are not required. The 'computer chip' tags are not
connected to any satellite; they have no capacity to indicate where
the animal is located. The tags only have an individual reference
number, identifying each specific animal on a computer which
must be on the ranch with the animal to enable reading it. Hence,
if a group of cattle with the computer tags are moved through a
gate, en masse, and the reader computer is there, it can 'read' all
the individual numbers onto the computer immediately. With
the non-computer tag, each one must be manually read by the
handlers.
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$ :
- Bird Watch - From my Perch
How Technology Changed the Way
We Watch Birds: Watching birds used to mean
carrying a backpack filled with
bird books and notebooks. Today
a birder can carry his books, bird
songs, and a notebook, all in
one pocket-sized compact tool.
Birders all over the world can
enter their observations into a
global database, for the benefit of
birders everywhere.
Launched in 2002, eBird.org
provides data sources for basic
information on bird abundance and distribution. In March of 2012,
participants reported more than 3.1 million bird observations across
North America. Belize has its own community of e-Birders, people
who faithfully record their observations in the field or in their own
backyard. As a result, there is already a wealth of information
available online about your favorite bird species, where they are and
when you might find them.
The application, Bird Log CA (Central America) is a tool to use when
you're "on the go" or to keep track of the birds you see in your own
backyard. It is a "real-time, online checklist program" that works on
your smartphone or tablet, and with it you are able to make entries in
the field. When you connect to the Internet, you can submit the data.
Your observations then become part of a huge global database at the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The
information can be accessed at http://www.ebird.org. Go to http://
www.birdseyebirding.com/ or the iTunes App store to find the mobile
applications.
- GMOs - Brief History and Prospects for
the Future: The month of May 2013 marks 30 years since scientists first
published that they could place functional foreign genes into plant
cells. This technology, known as GMOs, or Genetically Modified
Organisms, however, has been around for a bit longer, with the
first GMO product, human insulin, released for marketing by
Genentech as far back as 1982. The scientific breakthrough
using genetic engineering in plants signaled an exciting phase in
biotechnology, a phase heralding the ability to artificially insert
desired traits and characteristics into plants used for food, fibre
and fuel.
In early 1992, analysts predicted that one of the first biotech crops,
the Flavr Savr tomato, which was engineered by Campbell Soup
Company to remain firm after ripening, would obtain regulatory
approval and be the first success story of a GM crop on the market.
Campbell believed that tomatoes that can ripen on the vine, obtain
their full natural flavor while on the plant, and still make the trip
to the supermarket and the dinner table, without getting mushy
or rotten, would be a delight to producers and consumers alike.
The anti-GMO campaign, led largely by organized organic farming
groups in the US, launched a very effective campaign, leading to
Campbell's decision to withdraw the Flavr Savr tomato from the
market.
- Citrus Greening: Citrus greening, also known as
huanglongbing disease or HLB,
has been called the most serious
pathogen ever to infect citrus.
It has already killed millions
of citrus trees in Florida and
resulted in an economic loss
totaling 4.5 billion dollars and
8,000 jobs. The disease causes fruit to drop prematurely and
to grow misshapen and bitter, thereby making it unsuitable
for either juice or the fresh market.
Greening is a bacterial disease transmitted by the Asian citrus
psyllid (ACP). It originated in China last century and found
its way to Brazil, Mexico and Florida early this century. Most
recently it has been identified in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia,
South Carolina, California, Arizona, Cuba and Belize. In areas
where only isolated cases of the disease are present rigid
quarantine measures have been implemented to prevent its
spread.
Such is not the case in Florida where the disease is now
endemic in virtually all areas where citrus is planted. Growers
are faced with a decision: to destroy all their trees and plant
something else or try to manage through the disease.
- USING A REFRACTOMETER: The ability to easily measure Brix
in the field makes it possible to
determine ideal harvesting times of
fruit and vegetables so that products
arrive at the consumers in a perfect
state or are ideal for subsequent processing steps. A refractometer is an
instrument for measuring Brix. An explanation of the background and
importance of Brix in determining quality of produce can be found on
page 10 in issue 17 of the Belize Ag Report, Aug/Sept 2012.
Degrees Brix (symbol °Bx) is the sugar content of an aqueous solution.
Specifically, one degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of
solution and represents the strength of the solution as percentage by
weight (% w/w). For fruit juices, 1.0 degree Brix is denoted as 1.0% sugar
by weight. This usually correlates well with perceived sweetness. If the
solution contains dissolved solids other than pure sucrose, which can
be the case in vegetables, then the °Bx only approximates the dissolved
solid content.
- Pig production
Faculty of Science and Technology
University of Belize Central Farm Campus: One of the key components of the
livestock section at the University
of Belize Central Farm Agriculture
Department is the piggery unit which
serves the following purposes: 1.
Generate income for the institution's
development and sustainability, and
2. Serve as an instrument to expose and involve students in
the day-to-day management and husbandry practices of a
farrow-to-finish swine production unit.
But the program is about
to change in preparation
for the offering of a
Bachelor's Degree in
Applied Agriculture
in the near future.
For this purpose, the
following expansions are
contemplated over the
next three years.
UBCF Expansion Program
1. Expansion of current operation to an 18 sow farrow-tofinish
unit
2. Establishment of feed mill and feed mixing unit on
campus
3. Construction of a finishing unit with a capacity to finish
all piglets born in the facility
4. Improve and expand processing capacity of the school
processing facility
5. Construction of a biogas facility to provide energy and
organic fertilizer
- Let's Make an Agricultural Revolution,
Belizean Style: This country has a big, ugly debt problem. Mostly it smolders; in
2012 it bubbled up, but one day it's going to erupt in the form of a
sharp currency devaluation and painful austerity measures that set
the country's economic and social development back generations,
with all the human misery that that entails. Fortunately, we have
the power to change the future through our economic choices and
agriculture has a leading role to play.
Belize imports more than its exports: the merchandise trade deficit
rose by Bz$81.3m or 23.3% in 2012-13; the balance of payments
current account deficit widened to 2.7% of GDP. The value of
exports of goods produced in Belize (rather than re-exports)
dropped by Bz$25.3m; imports for domestic consumption
increased by Bz$162.8m. The fixed exchange rate is feeding our
addiction to imports, but hamstrings export competitiveness. The
trend is unsustainable and eventually the dollar peg will snap.
But the problem is bigger than trade. We don't save enough to
generate funds for investment: the IDB Country Strategy for Belize
talks about the high cost of domestic finance as a brake on growth
and the need for foreign investment, including in agriculture. There
is no stock exchange for companies to raise capital and the banks
are ineffective in recycling savings to feed cash-hungry businesses.
Governments periodically indulge in spending splurges, resulting
in a precipitous public debt level of 78% of GDP. We borrow to
cover current expenditure: the government had a Bz$17.3m deficit
in 2012-13 and capital expenditure is dependent on handouts from
foreign agencies.
- UAVs: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Belize
Usher in New Era of Precision Agriculture: Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles, commonly
known as drones,
are already at
work globally in
agriculture for both
small and large
farmers. Belize is
embracing the high
tech aerial systems,
with dealers in
place for agricultural drones, creating new opportunities in the
exciting realms of agriculture. Due to their efficiency compared
to other systems of ag monitoring and applying crop treatments,
UAV use is expected to expand drastically. The Association for
Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, (AUVSI) predicts
the agricultural sector to comprise 90% of worldwide UAV
use. Japan, South Korea and Australia have thousands of these
already in agricultural use. The most experienced UAV makers at
this time are from the Orient.
UAVs fly in an ultra-efficient tight pattern of up one row, over and
down the neighboring row, compared to turning necessary with a
fixed-wing aircraft. They accomplish more tasks than traditional
aircraft by not being limited by direct human visibility. UAVs can
monitor crops for yield or health and can disperse applications
of liquids, granules or coated grains. They can work as low as
12 INCHES above the plants, reducing application medium and
minimizing unintended treatment of neighboring lands.
- Cheesemaking at Western Dairies: What evolved into Western Dairies
began with cheese making by the
Abram J. Thiessen family in their
home in Spanish Lookout; their private
operation lasted about 8 months before
it was decided by the leaders of the
community to form WD. Now WD produces cheese in 9300
pound vats and forms it in 20 40-pound molds every processing
cycle, during which only one type of cheese is made. Like the rest
of WD, the process for cheddar and regular mozzarella cheese
is mechanized; of the 106 employees only 3 people make all the
cheese. All cheese starts with milk that is brought in daily. Before farmers
started feeding their cattle hay during the hot, dry season milk
production fluctuated by season. Now Western Dairies (WD)
can expect about 430,000 pounds of milk per month (8.6
lbs. of milk = 1 gallon). Small farmers collect milk in 5 gallon
containers but big farmers have much larger containers, some
holding upwards to 1000 gallons, on their farms to collect milk.
Every day WD sends out a technician to test milk for impurities,
including water. Every container of milk is tested before it is
brought into WD's processing plant. WD sends a truck to collect
milk from the large dairy farms.
- NATIONAL AGRICULTURE & TRADE SHOW
May 3rd - 5th, 2013: 2013 marked the sixty-fifth year of recognizing and
celebrating Belize's rich history and bright agricultural
future. This year's theme describes the mission of
the fair, "Stimulating Prosperity in Agriculture and
Food Production through Renewed Public and Private
Partnership".
The newly renovated and updated fairground was
bustling with over forty-two thousand visitors from across the country for a
week-end total. The mission of the NATS show is to showcase and introduce
new products made by Belizean farmers with the goal to educate, support and
encourage improved agriculture practices in Belize, including cattle, shrimp,
sugar, citrus, produce, coconuts, rice and many more crops. Awards were
given to Farmers of the Year, Senior Farmer, Woman Farmer and Junior
Farmer. Members of the Taiwan Technical Mission who are working with
the Belizean Ag sector to help improve farming techniques and to promote
diversity displayed their ag techniques and displayed fruit, rice and vegetable
exhibits. Many Belizean-based new businesses were on hand to proudly
promote their products, including WOW soy sauce, Northern Heat hot sauce,
cassava products, jellies and jams, gluten "veg meats", grain and fruit cereals
and many other innovative products.
It was a festive occasion and offered something for visitors of all ages, including
a rodeo, two playgrounds, a carnival, live music, lots of great handmade
Belizean food, crafts, farm products to see, taste, hear and enjoy.
- Rice Seed Production Project Field Day: A rice field day was held on May
24th, 2013 at the Central Farm rice
field. The event was organized by
the Taiwan Technical Mission
(TTM) and the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA). Invited
guests attending were Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of State in
MNRA; Mr. Douglas Chang, First Secretary of the Embassy
of the Republic of China-Taiwan; Mr. Eugene Waight, Chief
Agriculture Officer, MNRA; and Mr Fernando Yeng, Chief of
TTM. A total of 91 guests attended including MNRA technical
officers, representatives of collaborating institutions, farmers
and students.
At the end of the
opening ceremonies
the attendees
accompanied Mr.
Wayne Chen, Rice
Specialist, TTM, and
Ms. Ina Sanchez,
MNRA officer to a
field tour of the seed
producing plots. The highlights of the field tour included:
- Tilapia Hatchery Center
Ground Breaking Ceremony: of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), former Chief Agriculture
Officer, Eugene Waight, and others in the agriculture ministry, the
project for establishing a tilapia hatchery was launched on July
17, 2013 on Baking Pot Road, Central Farm, Cayo. The project is a
joint co-operation by the Government of Belize and the Republic
of China (Taiwan). Funded by the International Cooperation and
Development Fund of the Republic of China (Taiwan ICDF), the
5 year Aquaculture Project signed in February 2012 is estimated
at BZ$5 million. It includes the construction of a tilapia hatchery
building (which will also house a research facility), 18 earthen
ponds, a reservoir, a sedimentation pond, 12 nursery tanks and
16 fry (young fish) concrete tanks.
Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, the Honorable David Wu, who
gave an overview of the project at the ground-breaking ceremony,
said that primary objectives are to (1) produce one million "all
male" high quality tilapia fingerlings to assist the development of
small-scale tilapia farming operations on Belize, (2) promote the
use of modern tilapia culture technology to increase the annual
tilapia production and gradually decrease the price of fingerling
production (3) reduce the cost of commercial feed by 30 - 35%
with the use of alternative feed and (4) supplement the meat
protein intake to families in rural areas through improved tilapia
production in the region.
- Local and Regional
Fuel Prices: Cayo,
Belize
Quintana Roo,
Mexico
Peten,
Guatemala
- Garden Tools: Back to Basics: The dry season is here and we home gardeners are waiting for the first
rains to come down to kick start that backyard garden. In the mean
time you can accumulate seeds, pick out an area in the backyard for
your home garden and get your tools ready. While there are many
single function trendy tools on the market that promise to make soil
most manageable with the least effort, the basic multifunction tools
are space saving and most practical for budget gardeners such as
ourselves. After all, the purpose of home gardening is for higher output
from low input. These eight tools are a great start for your home
garden and are multifunctional, practical and space saving.
Standard shovel or spade is the first on the list; these are used for
digging up the softened earth and moving away extra materials, such as
sand. When purchasing a spade or shovel choose a sturdy handle and
comfortable grip. Shovels and spades with D-shaped handles make it
easier to lift what you have dug or scooped. Look for a curved foot rest
below the neck of the blade for easy insertion into the ground. Find
an appropriate height and don't be afraid to ask the store assistants
to see all that they have. A slick metal surface allows material to slide
off easily, so stay away from rusty blades even if it gets you a discount.
- Ag Briefs
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
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The November 2013 - January 2014 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online. Click HERE to download the PDF
This Issue's Stories:
- Belize's 'Green Coal':
The Multi-Purpose Cohune Nut: The cohune palm tree,
Attalea cohune, familiar
to Belizeans, produces
a nut about 6 inches in
diameter in huge heavy
clusters, weighing about
100 pounds. One tree
can have several of these
clusters. The nuts have
been used by the Mayas,
and in more modern times, by other Belizeans for fuel and oil.
The kernels are 65 to 70 percent oil, but they amount to about 6%
of total weight. The nuts are unusually hard and difficult to crack
and their collection and transportation can also be difficult; so
commercial oil recovery has been relatively undeveloped. Peter
Singfield, who lives in Xaibe, Corozal District, developed an oil
extraction system using a conventional oil expressor.
First the nuts need be heat treated
to loosen the meat from the shell
or they are impossible to extract.
Properly heated, the nut falls
from the shell when the shell is
"properly" split. Peter used to set
them out in the hot sun on a black
tarpaulin for four days or so, where
the mid-day sun on a black surface
reached temperatures 145° - 150°F.
Others boil them for 30 minutes,
while some people make fire pits
and after the coals are sufficiently
hot, put in the nuts and cover them
with soil to process the next day.
- Letter: Biologically Appropriate Technology or GMO: Biologically appropriate technology is designed to do no harm to
the environment - the air, water and soil. It is working with nature,
not against it. It is learning from and respecting nature.
Having been an environmental journalist turned anti-nuclear/prorenewable
energy activist, I am seeing similar patterns in the debate
over GMO corn as existed in the nuclear debate. The parallels lie
in how the public was sold on nuclear power back when there was
concern that nuclear power might not be " biologically appropriate
technology." Touted as being "safe, clean, and too cheap to
meter" by the industries that financially benefited, nuclear energy
turned out to be an expensive environmental nightmare, costing
trillions, and many lives. Safely dealing with nuclear waste is still
an unsolved problem; Fukushima is an ongoing out-of-control
environmental disaster contaminating water daily with ionizing
radiation that flows to the open sea.
When there is controversy regarding a technology, it would seem
best to stay on the side of caution. So, we ask ourselves, is genetically
modified seed (ie: GMO corn, etc.) biologically appropriate
technology? Those who gain the dollars from having mass control
over the world's food production view it as appropriate. Those
who understand the Creator's command to "respect all that I
have created" do all they can to stop GMO corn from tainting the
perfect food given to us by the Creator. Genetically modified corn
is designed to cross pollinate and then take over a species of plants,
not unlike an invasive.
- Positive Changes In The Citrus
Industry: The Belize Citrus Industry was started in 1913 and this year
marks its 100th anniversary. Congratulations! The industry
has grown to be of major economic importance in Belize.
There are now about 45,000 acres of citrus groves and the
industry represents 4% of GDP, accounts for 22% of major
export earnings, and directly benefits 10,000 people and
indirectly 50,000 people.
The Belize Citrus Industry is facing
many of the same challenges as other
agricultural sectors including increased
costs of fuel and fertilizers, global changes
in trade with price fluctuations, natural
disasters and climate change, and pests
and diseases. The industry has survived
many of these challenges. Today it faces an additional one:
the devastating Citrus Greening Disease, also known as
Huanglonbing (HLB). This disease is spread by an insect
vector-the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri). The
disease is also spread from infected propagation materials in
citrus nurseries.
Greening was confirmed to be
present in Belize in 2009. Since
then it has spread to many
groves, mainly in the Stann
Creek District, and groves are
declining, many trees have died
and some groves have been
totally removed. This past year
witnessed a decline in fruit production up to 50% countrywide
and Greening was a major factor.
- The Soil & Agriculture: Agriculture as we know it has been with us for over eight thousand
years. Science first became evident with the ancient Mayas,
Peruvians, Persians, Egyptians, Chinese and Indians some two
to three thousand years ago. These ancient peoples knew how
to grow healthy crops with high yields and feed some 50,000 to
300,000 persons in cities with very good sanitation and running
water. However, after the year 1,100 AD all this knowledge was
lost to humanity because their civilizations collapsed.
It was not until the middle to late 1800's that Von Liebig and Julius
Hansel both of Germany brought science back into agriculture
with their works on soils. Then between the period 1930 to late
1950's two Americans, Professor Emeritus Dr. William Albrecht
and Dr. Carey Reams leapfrogged the knowledge of soil science.
In the late 1920's, early 1930's, Dr. Albrecht and his colleagues
made the very important discovery in soil science, the role of the
clay fraction of soil in cation exchange capacity (CEC) you see on
soil tests. His published work is collected in 8 volumes by the late
Charles Walters of Acres USA. It still stands as the greatest work
in agriculture, yet Dr. Albrecht's name doesn't even get a mention
in modern soil science textbooks. The Belizean farmer must understand that his farm MUST have
five essentials for good soil. All five are absolutely necessary.
Nature is precise. First, the soil must contain energy. It takes
energy to break-down limestone. A fertilizer's job is to provide
energy, but it is important not to use fertilizers that harm
or kill the soil.
- "Feed the Soil"
Theme of 2013 Organic Fair: The old method of slash and burn
for farming is being replaced with
slash and mulch by the farmers
in Toledo and Stann Creek who
have seen the dramatic increase
in corn crop yields in side-by-side
field experiments. The results of
the experiment reported at the 5th
annual Organic Fair held in Punta Gorda on October 25 and 26
also included increases in organic matter, water retention and
carbon content of the soil based on soil analysis before and after
the experiment.
The theme, Feed the Soil, was emphasized by every speaker
at the event including Mr. Burton Caliz whose organic farm was
toured by the attendees. In addition to mulching, the soil in
southern Belize is being enriched by reforestation (223 acres),
cover crops, and "alley" cropping (growing crops in between
rows of trees e.g., Inga Edulis, Madre Cacao, and Leucaena,
which are pruned regularly to allow exposure to sun). Mucuna
beans are advocated as the primary cover crop, which can add
as much as 30 tons per hectare of organic matter to the soil.
Crop rotation, composting, and integrated pest control using
organic ingredients and methods were also described.
- BEYOND THE BACKYARD
A Grain of Truth: We have become used to the labels fat free, sodium free,
cholesterol free, nut free; now gluten free seems to be the
latest trend. On the one hand we realize that the food industry
is a business; so selling the idea that you need or suffer from
something is inevitable. On the other hand we must consider
the fact that incorrect labeling or secret ingredients for some
people can become a matter of life and death.
At a recent cocktail party two people said they were allergic to
shrimp, one to oysters, two to nuts, one is lactose intolerant,
one to the polymers of surgical gloves and four out of the ten
were on gluten free diets. One may have celiac disease and the
others were advised to try avoiding gluten the sticky protein
found in wheat, barley, spelt, kamut, triticale, malt
and rye. They reported that they felt so much better in many
ways, regained a waistline, thought more clearly and eliminated
joint pain. Other gluten related conditions such as gluten
ataxia can affect the brain and create neurological problems.
A gluten free diet has been found to be useful in the treatment
of autistic children. Even products such as shampoo and body
wash can contain wheat germ, barley or rye and since the skin
is the largest organ of the body it could be adversely affected.
Surprisingly cigarettes may also contain gluten either from
plant contamination or from the wheat processing of the papers.
- Agro-Processing Project Review: Agro-Processing, one of the four
core projects of the Technical
Mission of The Republic of
China (ROC) (Taiwan), begun in
1999, held its annual meeting on
September 6, 2013 at the pavilion
of the National Ag and Trade Show (NATS) grounds in Belmopan.
The project, which is funded by the International Cooperation
and Development Fund of the ROC (Taiwan ICDF), is headed by
Mr. Carson Huang, who recounted project activities including (1)
making almost 800,000 dried fruit snack packs (from over 400
tons of rejected export fruits: pineapple, banana, and papaya)
that supported the school lunch program in Belize 2006 to 2010,
(2) organizing and training over 21 groups (over 600 women) that
have been formed throughout the country over the last 7 years, (3)
developing training for vocational schools, called TVETs, (food
science lectures and practice courses) for over 420 students in 5
districts: Cayo, Orange Walk, Corozal, Toledo and Stann Creek,
and (4) initiating and technically supporting products, some of
which were on display at the meeting: potato flour, crystallized
ginger, pineapple yogurt jam, dehydrated mango, and the very
successful soy sauce which is produced by the women's groups
in Orange Walk and Corozal. The coconut and mango popsicles
served for a snack to the attendees were really appreciated on
the hot day. In addition, sweet potato rolls, made by one of the
groups, complemented the traditional Belizean lunch.
- Soil Structure, Strength and Consistency: The major objective in preparing the soil for the cultivation
of any crop is having good soil preparation as the medium
for plant growth. We can have good soil and make it poor
as well as poor soil and make it good. Aside from the fertility
which is a measure of the chemical nutrients, we need to
create favourable physical conditions for the plants. These
conditions are consistency, soil strength and soil structure.
These three characteristics of good soils allow the presence
and movement of air and water in the soil as well as provide
sites for storage/release of nutrients for the plants. Good soil
structure creates a good environment for the holding of water
and air in the soil. Ploughing, harrowing and other forms of
tillage are merely the mechanical means for the creation of
these favourable soil conditions.
We refer to the chemical or mineral makeup of the soil as the
consistency or soil texture, that is, the amount of sand,
silt and clay that are the inorganic constituents. Soil texture
is the commonly associated term for the 'feel' and includes
soil properties such as friability, plasticity, stickiness and
resistance to compression and shear.
- Thiessen Liquid Fertilizer's
Rice Trials: Rice production is
expanding in greater
Spanish Lookout and
Cayo District, with almost
4,000 acres currently
under cultivation by the
Mennonites. Thiessen
Liquid Fertilizer ran trials
comparing rice qualities,
costs and yields between crops grown with their liquid
product versus those receiving traditional dry fertilizers. 6.6
acres received dry and 8.9 acres received Thiessen Liquid.
As shown in the chart below the rice receiving Thiessen Liquid
did better in 3 ways: 1. There were more pounds per bushel. (Corn is measured
in 56lb bushels; soy in 60 lb bushels; and rice bushels are
measured by volume not pound.) The rice which received
the dry gave 36.3 lbs/bushel, whereas the rice which
received the liquid gave 38.1 lbs/bushel. The increase in
weight indicates a heavier, higher quality grain.
2. The moisture content of the dry was 24.8%, whereas the
moisture content of the liquid was only 21.3%: another
win for Liquid.
3. The fertilizer cost was also a winner for Liquid, with dry at
$310.41/ac and Liquid at $289.15/ac.
Dry pound yield per acre was 3,325 for the dry fertilizer
and 3,251 for the liquid fertilizer. Nevertheless, Liquid's
heavier grain yielding the heavier bushels, with less
moisture and lower fertilizer cost was still the winner.
Belize Ag's Issue 24 (due Feb 2014) will have a more
detailed report on the rice industry in Western Belize.
- BEL-CAR UPDATES
Lower Prices but Record 1.3M Cwt.
Corn Harvest
for Greater Spanish Lookout/Banana
Bank Farms: CORN: Cayo's corn harvest for 2013 broke all previous
records, with approximately 1.3 M Cwt. (1.3 million 100 lb
sacks) harvested from combined acreages of Spanish Lookout's
Mennonite farmers and Banana Bank. Shortly after farmers
harvested the final acreages from the approximately 30,000
acres, rains pelted the area flooding bridges and closing roads.
The corn this year had been a little later than normal by about
1-2 weeks, due to later planting than usual (weather related).
Some expressed surprise and relief that the quality had not
been more affected, due to unusual weather, for example, rains
coming prior to harvesting at the end of September. The yields
per acre are slowly climbing up in Spanish Lookout; the exact
tallies of acres and lbs/acre were not ready at press time and
will be in issue 24 of The Belize Ag Report. Bel-Car estimates
the average yield per acre at about 4,000 lbs/acre. Some better
hybrids will be over that. Yields used to average 3,500 lbs/ac.
- : BEANS: Red Kidney (RK) beans will be planted toward the
end of November with Black Eyes more toward December, as
it is more critical that the Black Eyes do not get rain during the
last weeks. There may be a slight increase in planting RK's and
less Black Eyes, because the Black Eyes had a slower selling
season. However, Bel-Car believes that a continuation of the
current planting ratios would be good, as sales go in waves and
what was slower one year may be in more demand the next.
Find local and some international commodity prices
on our Agriculture Prices at a Glance section, page 15.
- International Promotion of
Agricultural SME's: Small and medium enterprises (SME's) are to receive
government assistance in the export of their products in
accordance with the policy passed in 2013. The workshop on
the international promotion of agricultural SME's, held at the
George Price Center on October 22 and 23, brought together
the stakeholders to report on and discuss the opportunities,
successes, and challenges of agricultural exportation. For an
inside venue there was an enormous amount of planting those
two days: seeds of marketing and business ideas that could
germinate and benefit Belizean micro, small and medium ag
enterprises.
Small enterprises are defined internationally as those
having 10 - 49 employees, US$1oo,000 - 3$M in assets and
US$100,000 - $3M in sales. Medium enterprises have 50 -
250 employees, US$3M - $15M in assets and US$3M - $15M
in sales. Although 95% of all enterprises in Latin America
and the Caribbean are SME's, most of the farmers in Belize
are classified as micro with less than 10 employees and are
not linked to the export market.
- Bird Watch - From My Perch: Migratory birds are arriving daily from the North. You can use
e-Bird (Bird Log) to enter the birds you see. This information
is uploaded to the Cornell University Ornithology Lab. The
data becomes available to birders all around the globe. With
more and more people using this global database, scientists
are learning more about migratory patterns and about the
abundance or decline of individual species. There is a "world"
version as well as a "Central America" version, BirdLog CA. You
don't need both; if you are a world traveler, choose the world
version; otherwise, the Central America version is fine.
If you are curious about when the warblers arrive, there is a terrific
companion app called BirdsEye CA. There you can browse birds,
look up a particular specie and learn quite a bit about it. You
can also select the pin icon for a look at all the recent sightings
and their locations. There is a link to "notable sightings" on the
home page where you will find unusual or rare species. You will
be able to see when and where they were seen. Once you have
signed in to BirdsEye CA with the same user name you use for
Bird Log CA, you will be able to also see your own lists and even
find out how you stand among the top 100 Birders of Belize.
iBird Pro is a superior application for studying birds, listening
to their songs, looking at photos, range maps and getting good
descriptions.
- The Development of Corn: Scientists have been tinkering with the DNA of plants since the
dawn of agriculture. The wild ancestor of corn for example is
a grass called teosinte. Teosinte doesn't look much like corn,
especially when you compare its kernels to those of corn, but
at the genetic or DNA level, the two are surprisingly alike.
They have the same number of chromosomes and a remarkably
similar arrangement of genes. In fact, teosinte can cross-breed
with modern corn varieties to form corn-teosinte hybrids that
can go on to reproduce naturally.
At the dawn of agriculture some 10,000 years ago, ancient
farmers in what is now Mexico took the first steps in
domesticating corn when they simply chose which kernels
(seeds) to plant. These farmers noticed that not all plants were
the same; some plants grew larger than others, or some tasted
better or were easier to grind. The farmers saved seeds from
the plants they liked and planted them for the next season's
harvest. This process is known as selective breeding or artificial
selection. Corn cobs became larger over time, with more rows
of seeds, eventually taking on the form of modern corn. By
selectively breeding plants, our predecessors transformed a
scraggly and inedible grass called teosinte to the large, plump,
colorful and nutrient rich corn plant.
- Profitable 'Green' Intensive
Commercial Farming is the Future: Wish to silence
environmental critics
lambasting the foul of
commercial farming and
still remain profitable?
Looking to contribute
to increasing global
demand for food while
protecting land, water and
biodiversity?
Environmental gains
alongside intensive
productive and profitable agriculture is not only possible but
the future method of farming if we are to double global food
production by 2050 while protecting land, water resources,
soils and biodiversity for future generations of farmers.
Known as Sustainable Intensive Agriculture, this farm of
the 21st century has been implemented and documented for
productivity and profitability in Europe and parts of Asia for
several decades.
Field margins are the strips of land between the field boundary
and the crop, field corners and buffer zones. Research has
shown that careful management of uncropped field margins not
only contributes to water protection and increased biodiversity,
but can also raise the crop profit margin.
- Competency Based Education Training
(CBET) at Central farm.: Competency based education and
training (CBET) is being emphasized in
the agricultural sector of Belize. CBET
provides learners with the skills needed
to perform well in their given industry.
Learners need to know what is expected
of them, employers need to know
what skills their employees have, and
instructors need to plan their courses
and lessons so as to include these
skills. Facilitators from Canada, Pat Bidart (Bow Valley College,
Calgary, AB) and Angela Wilm (Lakeland College, Vermilion, AB)
spent two weeks working with teachers and instructors at Central
Farm, University of Belize. The facilitators provided sessions on
active learning strategies to assist instructors in moving at times
from a lecture format to an interactive applied format in teaching.
The facilitators were very pleased with the passion and energy of
the 27 trainers who completed the course.
- Homemade Health
Coconut Oil: If I could choose only one thing to keep in my medicine chest, it would
be virgin cold-pressed coconut oil. This one substance is a superfood,
providing health benefits in addition to supplying important
nutrients, including some also found in breast milk. It is also a
medicine; it fights bacteria and viruses and fungus. It can be used
all over the body, inside and out. It can be used to treat insect bites,
rashes, burns and wounds. Used internally, it boosts metabolism
and shifts energy levels into high gear. Unlike caffeine, the effects
are gradual but not addictive.
What makes coconut oil so
special? The difference is in the
fat molecules that make up the
oil. All fats and oils are composed
of fat molecules known as fatty
acids. Most of us are familiar with
one way of classifying fatty acids,
based on saturation: saturated
fats, monounsaturated fats and
polyunsaturated fats. Another
way to classify fatty acids is based
on the size of the molecule, the
length of the carbon chain within the fatty acid. There are short-chain
fatty acids (SCFAs), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and longchain
fatty acids (LCFAs). Most of the fats in our diet are composed
of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Corn oil, olive oil, canola oil, lard,
soybean oil, and chicken fat are composed entirely of LCFAs.
- PANELA - EVAPORATED CANE JUICE
(That Healthy Molasses Fudge): India leads the world in
panela production and it
is known there as gur. In
Colombia it's called panela, as
in most of Latin America with
exceptions of Brazil where it
is called rapadura, chancaca
in the Andes, papel�n in
Venezuala and piloncillo* in Mexico. Colombia is 2nd in world
production and first in consumption with a whopping average
of 31.2 kg/year per capita. Making panela is Colombia's 2nd
leading rural vocation (after coffee cultivation). Panela's
precursor, fresh cane juice, is making its mark in trendy North
American 'raw cane juice bars', and we expect savvy Belizean
establishments to be serving it as well.
Sugar cane is believed to have originated in New Guinea
where it has been cultivated since 6000 BC. This member of
the grass family produces about 70% of the world's sugar. It
likes the humid tropics but tolerates some sub-tropical areas.
Sugar cane produces more calories per acre than any other
crop. Panela is a value-added sugar cane product. Sugar cane,
Sacharum officinarum, was and is designated as a medicinal
plant. When you see 'officinalis' (or any of its declined forms)
used as the species name in the Linneal binomial system of
plant taxonomy, that indicates that it's one of over 60 plants
designated this way as medicinal.
- Mamey Sapote: This is the last apple in
the 'Apples of Belize'
series. Although none
of the apples in the
series (custard apple,
star apple, mamey apple,
sugar apple, wax apple or
bell fruit, velvet apple) are
botanically classified as apples,
they are all widely recognized as,
and called apples. (As they do not
look like apples, or grow on trees, pineapples are not part of
the 'apple' series).
The Mamey sapote (Pouteriasapota), is a member of the
Sapotaceae family. Mamey is also spelled Mammee, Mammey,
Mammy or called Mamey Apple and is also known as Zapote
Colorado in Spanish. The Mamey sapote is a fruit-bearing
tree which is native to Mexico and Central America. The long
fascinating history of Mamey sapote dates back at least to the
early Aztec and Mayan days. Fruits were recorded as growing
in Panama in 1514. It has been documented that Mamey sapote
fruits helped to keep Hernan Cortez and his army alive on
their famous seven hundred mile expedition from Mexico City
to Honduras in 1519 that caused the fall of the Aztec empire.
Mamey sapote is the national fruit tree of Cuba and has grown
in popularity in Central America, Puerto Rico, the Dominican
Republic, southern Florida and Australia.
- Guidelines for Farming
Watch the Moon Phase: Belize farmers are captivated by gardening by the phases of
the moon. Since prehistoric times farmers have discovered
that various plants do best when planted and harvested at
certain phases of the moon. Before planting or harvesting
follow the rules of thumb:
1. Crops that produce their yield above ground should be
planted during the waxing moon (new to full). The first
week is especially good for crops that have their seeds on
the outside, and the second week (between the first quarter
and the full moon) is the best time to plant crops that
produce seeds on the inside.
2. During the waning moon (full to new moon) is the time to
plant root crops. No planting is to be done on the day of the
new or full moon.
3. Fruits harvested during the full moon phase tend to weigh
more and get a higher price in the market.
- The Pesticides Control Board of Belize
celebrates its 25th anniversary: The Pesticides Control Act (PCA) for
the regulation of pesticides in Belize
came into effect in December 1988,
bringing into existence the
Pesticides Control Board (PCB), a
statutory body mandated with the
implementation of the provisions
of the PCA. The PCB Secretariat
is excited to announce its plans to
mark this important 25 year milestone at an event scheduled to be
held in November 2013.
The event will have the participation of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations, the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Agriculture, and other stakeholders. There will be a
panel presentation and discussion titled "Sustainable Agriculture
and Pesticides: Regulation and Responsibility" and an expo
featuring technological innovations in pest management and
outreach programs that support sustainable agriculture.
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: Find local and some international commodity prices
on our Agriculture Prices at a Glance section.
- Ag Briefs
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
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The February 2014 - April 2014 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online. Click HERE to download the PDF
This Issue's Stories:
- Issues, Challenges and Options for
Belize's Agricultural Sector: Agriculture plays an important role in Belize's economy,
contributing almost 14% to GDP, about 50% to export earnings
and provides a significant base for employment and income
generation in the rural areas. In the last decade (2003 - 2012),
the growth of the agricultural sector averaged over 4% per year
but there was negative growth in five years during the decade.
In 2012, both the economy and the agricultural sector recovered
significantly, expanding by more than 5% and 15% respectively.
A review of policies and strategies and the many studies done
on Belize's agriculture during the last 25 years indicate that
there is no shortage of recommendations on what needs to be
done to facilitate the long term growth of the sector. The first
comprehensive policy document for agriculture was prepared
by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1986. This was followed by
three other initiatives in the last 15 years to provide a policy and
strategic direction for the sector.
Previous Challenges and Recommendations
Since the early 1990s, recommendations on policy options and
a strategic direction for the sector emphasized five major areas:
(1) a market-led approach; (2) the need to make the sector
more competitive in both the domestic and export markets; (3)
diversification; (4) incorporation of the issues of sustainability
in agricultural production, management and use of the
environment and natural resource base; and (5) strengthening
of inter-sectoral linkages.
- TO THE EDITOR
Response to Development of Corn, Issue 23 page 17: Dear Editor,
In his article titled, "The Development of Corn", Mr. O'Brien
states, "In the field of agriculture, hybrid corn is one of the
greatest marketing success stories of all time." I agree with
this statement and I think that if he were still alive, the late soil
scientist, William Albrecht, Ph.D, would also agree with this
statement. In studying Albrecht's papers, however, the reader
would find that Albrecht explained how simply measuring
yield does not take into account the nutritional value of the
crop.
In Volume II of his papers, Chapter 4, "THE LOW QUALITY AS
NUTRITION AND HIGH YIELD OF BULK DEMONSTRATE
THEIR MATHEMATICALLY CLOSE RELATION", Albrecht
reports that this mathematical relationship was worked out by
O. W. Wilcox and published in June, 1956 as an article titled,
Inverse Yield-Nitrogen Law of Nature. This relationship ties
increasing yield per acre of dry matter to the production of
more carbohydrates but less protein. Albrecht explains that
the introduction of hybrid corn is an example. The increased
yield of hybrid corn reduced the protein content while the
starch and fodder yields have increased. Albrecht concludes,
"By this manipulation, we have pushed this crop's production
of protein nearly down and out for growing young animals."
- Fertilizers: What & How They Work
By Bill Lindo: Most everyone thinks of fertilizers
as some chemicals made in a factory and used by farmers
and gardeners to feed plants and crops. This is what we
call a half-truth. There are many kinds of fertilizers and
their use is varied. Some are natural, meaning we mined
them from nature and use them as such, or mankind, using
different manufacturing processes, refines and concentrates
the natural, mined fertilizer into a product with more value
added. The by-products of humans and animals as well as
plants are also used as fertilizers by farmers, and have been
used for over 10,000 years since the dawn of agriculture.
In addition, there are slow-release fertilizers and instant
- soluble -fertilizers. But, really, what is a fertilizer? It is
a concentrated source of energy for plants. Plants grow by
energy. They need water, carbon, air (nitrogen & oxygen),
sunlight, good tilth soil, and energy to grow and feed humans
and animals. Science (Dr. Maynard Murray) has shown that at
least eighty or more of the elements in Mendeleev's Periodic
Table of elements are necessary for optimum human health.
The farmer is a person who has knowledge of chemistry,
biology, physics, mechanics, weather, computers, economics,
and some business principles. The farmer knows that
agriculture is the only thing on God's earth that gives one
something from almost nothing. He/she puts a bag of 60,000
corn seeds in the soil and 3 months later gets back some 16.5
million seeds - for every pound of corn seeds he/she gets some 275 pounds of seeds - the potential of corn (op) is some
500:1.
- Milestone Project Handover
TTM to MNRA
Thank You, ROC Taiwan: After an impressive list of assistance to
Belize, the Taiwan Technical Mission
(TTM) signed over three important projects
including the assets associated with them
to the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Agriculture (MNRA). In his speech at the
signing ceremony on November 27, 2013, the ambassador of
the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. David Wu, reported 472
families directly benefitted from TTM's projects; 175 families
assisted with training and loans; 24 farmers graduated in
November, 2013 from their formal training in food safety and
good pesticide use; 700 farmers trained in horticulture practices
to improve quality and reduce costs produced over $1.3 million
of vegetables and fruit; 517 women's groups helped; and other
noteworthy results of the efforts of TTM. According to MNRA
statistician, Philip Tate, Belize used to import rice in 1987 but
now, after 450 farmers received training in rice production
Belize can supply the local market.
The three projects that were signed over by written agreement
are the Rice Seed Project (begun in 1991), the Horticulture
Training and Demonstration Project (begun in 1992), and the
Agro-Processing Project (begun in 1999). To assist MNRA
personnel now in charge of continuing these projects, TTM also
signed over all the assets, approximately BZ$790,000 worth
of vehicles, farm equipment, food-processing equipment,
buildings, and documentation such as training and operating
manuals.
- BEYOND THE BACKYARD:
Just Kidding: "High on the hill was a lonely
goat herd.." A very, happy, catchy
song that got me wondering why
we do not see more goats. It is
claimed that goat is one of the
most eaten meats in the world yet
we hardly ever see one here, let
alone find someone who has ever
tasted it. We see a lot of those
long legged unkempt Barbados
black bellies roaming freely in villages and I believe some Dorper
in Cayo. Those are sheep and come with a distinct indicator:
the tail hangs down. Goats have a perky tail pointing up, unless
sick or in distress. Most sheep have wooly fleece although some
tropical breeds have hair not wool; goats have hairy coats.
My friend was raising ADGA Nubian goats for milk production.
One successful farmer suggests a cross of Boer and Kiko goats
for making excellent meat and recommends goat rearing as a
profitable business. Goat is a popular meat in other Caribbean
locations and many may have sampled delicious Jamaican
curried goat. Once only in ethnic markets, it has now found its
way to menus with fancier cuisine carrying a label that sounds
more palatable. So perhaps on your travels you have tried chevon,
cabrito, or capretto and not pictured its curiously intelligent
visage.
My goat rearing friend says that they are very humanlike in their
family rearing and behaviour. She found that sheep and goats do
not communicate and stick to their own herds. They are a different
species.
- Pesticide Control Board (PCB) Celebrates
25th Anniversary: The impetus for the establishment of
the PCB was the export of bananas
as a result of an exportation act
adopted by the government in
1985. Although 14 members
were to comprise the board, it as
not until 1988 that funding allowed the hiring of a staff for its
administration. Annual funding of $500,000 is supplemented by
license fees and a 2% importation fee of all pesticides. Licensing,
which began in 1989, used to be by ingredient but by 1995,
it was switched to brand. The board still has 14 members: 4
come from Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture
(MNRA), Ministry of Health, Department of The Environment
and Belize Agriculture and Health Authority (BAHA); 4 from
large agro-producer/grower associations such as citrus (CGA),
bananas (BGA), sugar cane (BSCFA), and vegetables; and 6 from
other stakeholders: labour, Caribbean Agriculture Research
and Development Institute (CARDI), Prossers, Brodies, and an
independent member appointed by the minister of MNRA.
- Addicted to Round Up: Globally, the use of pesticides and herbicides has become
commonplace. Alarmingly, the usage is doubling
every five years exponentially. In 1990, 35 million
liters of pesticides were sprayed on fields in the US
alone; this past year (2013) over 300 million liters
were sprayed!
In an article from the 5th October 2013 Amandala,
"Trade Gap Expands": "$1 of each $5 dollars of imports
is attributed to consumer goods, the largest expense in
this category being pesticides, medicines, cigarettes and
vitamin supplements".
Chemicals are often applied by spray (e.g., from backpacks
or airplanes), where aerosol can be dispersed by wind or overspray
can runoff into aquatic ecosystems. Sprayed chemicals enter the
transpiration cycle and are taken up high into the atmosphere into
the clouds and may be carried long distances from the original
point of spraying, later coming to earth in rainfall. The use of
these chemicals and their overspray has given rise to a multitude
of studies of the toxicological effects of pesticides on non-target
species, as well as the impact of pesticide drift into freshwater
ecosystems.
- Sustainable Harvest International-
Belize (SHIB)
Agricultural Training
in Toledo and South Stann Creek: After an extensive 5
year training program,
15 Toledo and Stann
Creek farmers were
awarded certificates
of completion at the
Organic Fair in Punta
Gorda in October,
2013. Although the
core training, based
on principles of
environment, agroecology,
food sovereignty, improvement of livelihood and
learning capacity, is the same, the farmers receive customized
training based on their needs. For example, families have a
work plan that focuses on the first two phases of work, with
focus on family nutrition, sustainable and holistic farming
(includes soil conservation, reduction or elimination of
external inputs), diversification, improved ecosystems, and
sustainable livelihoods. SHIB's mission is to provide farming
families in Belize with the training and tools to preserve our
planet's tropical forests while overcoming poverty. Here's
an interview with Yasmin Ramirez, SHIB Marketing Officer
who explained the SHIB training program:
1. Who does the training? Training is done by SHIB field
officers and Country Director. They are all Belizeans. The
field officers hold associate degrees in natural resources
management and have additional agronomy training
received in Honduras and Nicaragua. All of them are
registered organic inspectors. The country director is a
renowned agronomist in Belize.
- Spanish Lookout's Expanding Rice
Industry
Belize Ag Report visits with Tropical
Country Rice: Tropical Country Rice
(TCR), the company behind
the rice label of the same
name, supplies about 40%
of the domestic rice market.
Their milling facility is based
in Spanish Lookout, with
rice fields located within
that Mennonite farming
community and other lands
in Cayo District. Two other Mennonite communities, Blue
Creek and Ship Yard, both in the Orange Walk District, grow
and handle a bit more of the market share and the remainder
of rice production is cultivated for most part by smaller farmers
in Toledo District. Total domestic rice consumption in Belize
is estimated to be approximately 1.8M lbs/month (21.6M lbs/
year).
Overview
About 4,500 acres of rice are grown by approximately 30
farmers who utilize TCR to mill and market their rice. Average
yield varies between 3,500 to 5,000 lbs. per acre. That yield
figure is for 'paddy rice' or un-milled rice. Paddy rice mills
out from as low as 45% to as high as 70% in milled white rice,
depending on the quality of the paddy rice. About 600 acres
are flooded fields, and approximately 625 acres are irrigated by
pivot (mobile pipe irrigation, see cover photo). Flooded fields
give the highest yield but fields that are flooded can be used
for only one crop per year. Under pivot, the same fields can
grow rice in the summer and beans in the winter. Each pivot
irrigation rig can service about 125 acres, and there are 5 of
them currently in use for rice in Cayo.
- A GOOD FUNGUS?: Many are familiar with the potato blights of Ireland and France
that wiped out the potato harvests, rotting the tubers close
to harvest, which changed the course of history drastically.
PHTOPTHERA by name, which means PLANT DESTROYER,
was the fungal villain causing those famines. Does a good
fungus exist, one that can help plants? Yes, absolutely yes.
In the news of late, we read of 'good bacteria' located in
our stomachs and intestines, being responsible for people's
immune system - some credit up to 90% of our body's ability
to fight off diseases, being related to these gut bacteria.
Similarly, we also read of plants' abilities to fight off diseases,
protected by elements in the soil. As with the bacteria - also
not visible to the naked eye, both fungus and bacteria have
been overlooked and misunderstood.
Many notice during the hardest parts of the dry season here,
along the edges of row crop fields, when the crops themselves
might be wilted for lack of water, that the weeds along the
edges appear to be green and vibrant, standing tall and
strong. We wonder, 'interesting these weeds don't need as
much water as those crops.' In fact, those weeds often do
need water but have access to water that the crops do
not. How can that be? Think of snakes here in Belize: most
of us know that the black snakes (colubridae) will fight off and
actually eat baby fer-de-lance (tommy goffs) snakes. If one
kills off the 'good' snakes, that might almost be an invitation
to more venomous snakes, such as fer-de-lances, asking them
to come move in.
A similar situation exists with fungus.
- Consortia - The Coming Secret for
Success of Small Businesses in Belize: Many small business owners in Belize have become curious,
having heard about the success of consortia in other countries.
An export consortium is a voluntary alliance of businesses
(or other) operating under an agreed set of rules, the first
of which could be that members bring all their produce to
the organization, a move intended to dissuade opportunistic
behaviour. Notwithstanding, the main purpose for this kind of
consortium is to promote and export goods and services into the
foreign market. This umbrella group requires that members such
as small farmers share the huge costs associated with marketing
goods, while allowing them to keep their individual profits. As
well, members find a consortium attractive because it does not
require them to divulge company secrets to the group, such as
negotiated prices and contract terms with their individual clients.
Apparently, a number of small farmers have determined not to
wait for the government to bell this cat. After all, the government
of the day has already created the enabling environment and is
doing a lot for businesses broadly through initiatives like Belize
Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).
Furthermore, consortia require a lot of attention and day to day
management which BELTRAIDE, by design, may not be intended
to provide. BELTRAIDE's focus is probably more outward,
bringing investment into the country. This creates business
opportunity for a local agency to serve as a repository for
consortia, helping businesses with common products
form into groups and assisting them as they go through
the stages (as the saying goes) of forming, storming,
norming and performing.
- Toledo Cacao Growers Association
(TCGA) Holds 20th AGM: Cacao producers from 42 Villages in Toledo and Stann Creek
Districts gathered on Saturday January 18th, 2013 for TCGA's 20th
AGM held at the Julian Cho Technical High School auditorium
in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District.
From the Industry Report
During 2013, production decreased
by 53.5%, (2012 having been an all
time high producing year for TCGA
at over 54MT and 2013 production
was 26MT. Multiple factors caused
this decrease including cyclical
production, farm rehabilitation,
and the challenges of Moniliasis
(fungal disease). Nevertheless
TCGA remains very positive as they
move toward sustainability and improved product quality and
increased quantities. During 2013, 10 satellite drying facilities
and 3 centralized fermenters were built and over 50 training
sessions were held. About 300 acres of cacao were rehabilitated.
Report was given on the Maya House of Cacao & Chocolate
Museum, located at mile 18 on the San Antonio Rd. This is a
joint project of TCGA and the European Union and should be
open to the public before the end of 2014. Facilitating cacao
field rehabilitation, Caribbean experts assisted in the training/
employment of 20-25 youths to use power tools which they used
over 6 -9 months while rehabilitating approximately 200 acres
of cacao.
- GlutenFree - To Be or Not to Be?: For a long time I thought the gluten-free diet was just another
fad or only for people with Celiac Disease. After I read a book
called "Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find
Your Path Back to Health," by William Davis, MD., I decided to
drop wheat from my diet. The results are remarkable enough
to share, so others can enjoy this simple trick for feeling better,
enjoying decreased joint pain, increased energy, and yes, weight
loss without much effort.
The wheat we eat today is a far cry from the original product.
"Einkorn wheat, ancestor of all modern wheat, harvested by
hunter-gatherers in the Fertile Crescent 10,000 years ago is
a 14-chromosome wild grain. Emmer wheat, of Biblical times,
bore 28 chromosomes. Modern wheat has 42 chromosomes and
has been changed (hybridized, genetically modified) more times
than any other grain. What other changes occurred deep within
the gene structure of the plant? The truth is that little testing
was done on the effects of these hybridized or modified plants
on the human body. The testing that was done and modifications
made were to increase yield and profits without concern for how
it changed the nutritive value of the product.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many more obese people
today than there used to be? Why do so many more children have
autism than they did 30 years ago? Why are so many suffering
with joint paint and arthritis?
- Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA)
An Organization on the Way Up: After several years of semi-stagnation and lack
of enthusiasm in the cattle industry, there is a
revival taking place, thanks in no small part to
the Cattle Sweep taking place within Belize.
It is no coincidence that almost to the day
when all the agreements were signed and it
became clear that the much talked about and anticipated Cattle
Sweep was actually going to happen, the price of Belizean cattle
started to rise and rise quickly, from around 95c/lb. up to a high
of around $2.15 in the middle of last year. Currently the price
stands at around $1.85/lb. and will hopefully hit the same highs
as last year depending on supply and demand throughout the
course of the coming year. One thing is for certain: if we can
keep the momentum going with the Cattle Sweep, complete this
massive project and become certified free and clear for TB and
brucellosis, we will not be visiting those dark old days of 95c/lb.
again anytime soon.
The sweep, as we write, has almost completed round 1 and has
already started up north with the second sweep, the Blue Creek
farmers blazing the trail and now patiently awaiting round 3!
Once the few stragglers that are proving to be very elusive and
difficult to catch and test are completed in the south, all the vet
teams will be moving back up north to help out up there and things
will again move forward at a reasonable pace. It looks as though
the original estimates of around the 100,000 head of cattle in the
country will be very close to the mark and it is expected that very
close to that figure will have been tested by the time all is said
and done. The few that are left are mainly because of logistical
problems of actually catching these wild animals in the bush in
certain areas, being unable to reach animals on the wrong side of
flooded creeks and rivers and also due to several farmers actually
hiding their animals to avoid taking part!
- National Conference on Agro-
Biotechnology and Biosafety in Belize: Mr Anil Sinha participated in the National Conference on Agro-
Biotechnology and Biosafety which was held on 10 December 2013 at
George Price Centre, Belmopan. It was organized with the support of
IICA, FAO and CARDI. The objectives of the National Conference were
(i) to provide scientific information on the topic of biotechnology and
biosafety, and (ii) to support the interest of the Belizean government
to develop a platform for discussion among the key stakeholders to
develop and inform Belize's strategy as it relates to biotechnology and
biosafety. The conference was attended by a total of 83 participants
from a wide cross section of agricultural stakeholders from the public
and private sectors and international development agencies and civil
society which included farmers, industry leaders and representatives
of producer associations, concerned citizens, academia, government
technicians and policy makers, the media among others. Dr Pedro
Rocha, Coordinator, Area of Biotechnology and Biosafety, IICA, Costa
Rica and Dr Juan Izquierdo Fernanadez, Consultant, FAO made key
scientific presentations on the topics. Mr Francisco Gutierrez, Director
of Plant Health, BAHA made presentation on "Drivers and lessons
learnt in the development of the current National Biosafety Policy in
Belize. Mr Hugh O'Brien, Representative, Grain Growers Association
in Belize made presentation on the perspective of benefits of use of
biotechnology in Belize while Mrs Miriam DeShield, Representative,
Concerned Citizen made presentation on the perspective that some
biotechnology in Belize is not beneficial.
- Belize's National Agriculture and Food
Policy: In early December, 2013 major stakeholders came together at
the George Price Center in Belmopan to provide input for the
development of a national policy and strategy for creating an
enabling business environment for agriculture. Sponsored by
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA),
International Institute of Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA), and
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the attendees were
divided into 5 groups to discuss the challenges and opportunities
and provide recommendations for the national policy.
The common themes that emerged were (1) the need for more
information flow and dialog between farmers and government
agencies to identify market niches, agricultural barriers to
increased production, high quality products, and eco-friendly
practices and (2) the effects of price controls and tariffs on
agricultural production.
Agriculture contributes approximately 11% to GDP and provides
a base of employment and income for over 75% of the population
of Belize. The MNRA recognizes the potential of the agriculture
sector on the local, regional and global levels and is actively
seeking to develop the means to assist farmers, cooperatives,
and businesses to be proactive in achieving supply/demand
successes.
- Seed Toxins And The Purpose Of Life: The purpose of life for
any organism, animal or
vegetable, is to achieve
immortality by producing
offspring; that is,
reproduction ensures the
continuation of the species through the perpetuation of its genes.
Natural selection determines that the more successful survival
strategies result in gradual evolutionary development. For an
animal, this might entail being the fastest runner, having the
sharpest teeth or the most intelligence, all of which enable the
creature to stay alive long enough to mate, hopefully repeatedly.
But what does this mean for a plant that can't run, fight or think its
way out of danger?
Plants have also evolved a range of self-defense strategies to
increase the probability of reproduction. One of the most creative
of these is to produce substances that are noxious to predators that
might otherwise consume, digest and obliterate the all-important
regenerative seed.
These poisons or toxins, including fear-inducing ricin and cyanide,
are present in some of our most common and seemingly innocuous
human foodstuffs. Apple seeds, for example, as well as the pits
of many other fruit contain the substance amygdalin. (You may
recognize 'amygdalin' from the Greek for almond 'amygdalē',
which also gives its name to the amygdala, the almond-shaped
structure in the brain).
- Home Production and Use of
Cassava Flour: Much information is available on the cultivation of cassava,
an important tropical staple food. This article will focus on
a less-well-known and underexploited use for cassava; the
versatile flour which can be made from this root crop.
We have heard that there used to be a factory in Belize that
produced cassava flour for sale. Families in Upper Barton
Creek and daughter settlements have been producing cassava
flour for home use for over 40 years. Drying cassava for flour
takes effort, but it's an enjoyable job the whole family can help
with. It's a good way to spend time together while producing
a useful food! Cassava flour can be used successfully to make
pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, corn bread and other
quick-rise baked goods. Its by-product, cassava starch, also
has many uses.
To make cassava flour, we dry cassava in the dry season when
we have dependably sunny weather. January and February
are the best months. The mature cassava roots are first
harvested and peeled. To make full use of a sunny day, this job
can be done the day before and the peeled roots left overnight
in tubs, completely covered with water. The next step is to
shred or chop up the roots finely.
- Mighty Moringa
The Miracle 'Tree Of Life': This article is the first of
a series on leguminous
trees that grow in
Belize. A leguminous
tree is defined as a tree
belonging to or relating
to the Fabaceae family of
flowering plants that bear
pods. Botanist Linnaeus
initially classified
moringa as a leguminous tree and it has since been reclassified. Not
until 2002 has moringa been properly confirmed the sole genus of
the flowering Moringaceae of the thirteen species of moringa. It
is being included in this series as moringa has similar properties
to leguminous trees and is an amazing, highly nutritious, versatile
tree.
Moringa oleifora, also known as widow's tree, drumstick tree,
clarifier tree, benzoil tree, mother's best friend or miracle tree,
is native to northern India, in the foothills of the Himalayan
mountains and parts of Africa and Asia. Moringa trees thrive
and are now widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical
climates around the world. Moringa was utilized by ancient
Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. Thanks to several horticulture
projects during the past decade, including The Australian High
Commission and Belize-Michigan Partners, moringa is becoming
a common and popular tree in Belize. (see Belize Ag Report, July/
August 2009 issue p.17).
- : Local and Regional
Fuel Prices
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: Find local and some international commodity prices
on our Agriculture Prices at a Glance section.
- Ag Briefs
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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The May 2014 - June 2014 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online. Click HERE to download the PDF
This Issue's Stories:
- Stubeef Jerky Returns
To the Delight of Former Customers: Although still a
young man, Stuart
Doley has been
making jerky for
decades. Growing
up in Virginia
(USA), he made
venison jerky
from deer that he
hunted. In university he continued refining his recipes and
techniques making jerky in a small dehydrator for himself
and friends. It is not surprising that soon after his arrival
in Belize in 2010 he was at it again, turning local grassfed
beef into beef jerky. Using Running W meats he tested
the local market under the trade name STUBEEF JERKY.
Just as his market here was taking off, Stuart detoured to
Barcelona, Spain for an MBA degree. He and his Belizean
fianc� returned to Cayo District early in 2013 to tie the knot
and revive and expand STUBEEF JERKY. In fall of 2013
their Belize City processing facility, including equipment
enabling production of up to 100 lbs. of jerky a week, opened
for business.
Meats destined for jerky must be lean; wild meats such as
venison, known for its lack of marbling is ideal but is not
sufficiently available locally. After trying several cuts of beef,
testing for texture, tenderness, leanness and flavor, Stuart
decided Running W's fresh grass-fed round steak best fits
his criteria. The steak is custom cut into pieces of 1/8th inch
thickness across the grain and all excess fat is trimmed. Fats
are not desirable in jerky, as they increase rancidity risk. Stuart's secret
blend of spices and
seasonings are mixed
with soy sauce, sugar,
salt and sodium and
placed into a vacuum
tumbler. Only
natural preservatives
are used. 40 lbs. of
the meat pieces are
added to the mixture
already inside the
cylindrical stainless
steel container. The top is sealed shut, the vacuum tube is
attached and in just a few minutes the vacuum pump sucks
all of the air out of the cylinder. The sealed cylinder is placed
horizontally onto rollers which rotate the container on top of
the machine. In 30 minutes all of the marinade is absorbed
into the meat.
- TO THE EDITOR: ORGANIC�.What does that really mean?
Having been involved in organic agriculture for many years,
I believe that 'organic' is more than just agriculture; it is a
commitment to a lifestyle.
'Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be
your food', quoting Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician,
known as 'the father of modern medicine'. Decades of research
has established the definite link between illness and diet.
The counter-culture of the 'back to the land' generation of
the 1960s, turned into the organic agriculture industry of the
1970's until our present day. But does eating only food grown
without synthetic chemicals tell the whole story?
Why does organic food cost more? Because it is more labor
intensive. Is the extra cost worth the extra benefits? Are you
in perfect health? Do you take any man made medicines?
However, eating only organic food is not the entire answer
to being healthful. We are subjected to chemical toxins in
our bath soaps, toothpaste, shampoo, dishwashing liquids,
laundry detergents, cleaning agents and cosmetics to name
just a few.
- It's time to run the citrus industry as a business.: Ten years ago, when the Comonwealth Development
Corporation handed over the citrus processing plants (Del
Oro) to the Belize citrus industry, for $1, the Citrus Growers
Association (CGA) was seen as a responsible conduit to
handle the shares on behalf of Belizean citrus growers.
Since then, the CGA has divested itself of 59% of those shares
for various reasons. The rights or wrongs of these decisions
can be argued from different points of view. The fact still
remains that growers now own only 41% of the shares.
It is time to remove totally these shares from the control of
CGA and proportionally place them in individual growers
names based on production. This will remove the ability of
CGA to use these shares for some other scheme which will
have no benefit to growers directly.
Since the control of the processing has been in CGA hands,
citrus production has declined dramatically to the lowest ever
recorded last year, and growers delivering fruit have declined
from approx. 1000 to 384 last year. Small growers production
has declined from over one million boxes to less than half a
million. So clearly, the ownership of the processing has not
benefited growers in any way. As regards prices, we still
receive less than half what USA growers receive, despite the
fact that the processing factory invested four years ago in the
equipment to produce consumer ready packs of fresh orange
juice which sell for a much higher price and would have led
to growers receiving almost double what the factory currently
pays.
- Roots and Shoots Mini Ag Fair in
Consejo, Corozal: A small local garden club called Roots and Shoots is a special
interest group with members from around the Corozal area.
Most of our members have simple gardens, grow flowers,
shrubs and fruit trees, and some have small vegetable
gardens, and a few have small farms. The club meets every
second Monday to discuss various topics of gardening in the
tropics, listen to an invited speaker or member of the club or
visit members' gardens. Our club has had many field trips to
Cayo, Toledo, Stan Creek and Orange Walk Districts visiting
nurseries and farms. We've also attended The National
Agriculture Fair in Belmopan and Sustainable Harvest
International (SHI) Organic Fair in Punta Gorda.
On 31 March 2014, Roots and Shoots held our very own 1st
Annual Mini Ag Fair at the Consejo Shores Community
Center, Corozal District, just 6 miles north of Corozal Town.
It was a great success -- thanks to all the organizing and hard
work of one of our leading members, Beverley Griffiths. We
had a very large turnout of members and guests. We had a
number of interesting presenters: John Masson, Pandora
Canton and Nana Mensah with Yasmin Ramirez from SHI
-- who traveled to be with us from as far away as Belize City
and Punta Gorda.
- Citrus Greening in Belize: Currently Belize has about 42,000
acres of land devoted to citrus groves. Over the last couple of
years, Huang Long Bin (HLB) - yellow shoot disease or citrus
greening - has caused several thousand acres of groves to be
abandoned and now less than 400 citrus farmers are active. This
is down from a high of about 1,000 + farmers a few years ago.
According to the schoolmen, the disease is caused by a bacterium
that inhabits the phloem (energy conducting tissues) of the
tree and so far has affected all citrus varieties. The bacterium
is transmitted by an insect pest called the Asian citrus psyllid,
Diaphorinacitri. No data exists to show that the disease is
transmitted by tools, wind, rain, or human interaction. According
to the experts no cure exists for the HLB disease and only two
solutions can work. The first is to cut down all infected trees and
burn everything, then plant new trees from greenhouses that
were freed of the Asian citrus psyllid. It is very expensive at some
Bz$ 3,500 per acre. The other alternative is to wait and pray
that soon the results of genetic engineering of citrus trees will
produce citrus trees that are resistant to the Asian citrus psyllid.
A new twist being tried by the CGA is to release "beneficial'
insects in the groves to attack and destroy the
Asian citrus psyllid. This new approach is to
buy time so that in the next two-three years
the growers can be able to import GMO citrus
trees from Florida.
- 2014 International Year of Family Farming
Lots of Positive Change for the Future: The United Nations has designated 2014 as the International
Year of Family Farming bringing attention to the importance
of family farmers, including smallholder farmers, and their
role in helping to nourish the world. The celebration is also
aptly timed; it is reported that nearly 900 million people go to
bed hungry every night and the global population is expected
to reach more than nine billion people by the year 2050. The
world will need to not only increase agricultural production, but
to engage in agricultural practices that are more efficient and
environmentally sustainable.
Smallholder farmers are in a unique position to contribute to
the global food supply, but empowering smallholder and family
farmers is a vital step toward improving nutrition, increasing
incomes, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, enhancing
soil quality, conserving water, and mitigating and adapting to
climate change. Equally important as the goal of feeding the
world is the necessity of growing more nutrient-dense crops. All
farmers can have a direct impact on nutrition through the crops
that they choose to grow and consume, as well as through postharvest
and preparation methodologies they use.
- BEYOND THE BACK YARD:
By Jenny Wildman
"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside": People ask me, "What is
your favourite thing that
grows in your garden?"
Without hesitation I
say, "Asparagus" which
surprises them - that it
actually grows here in the
tropics. I walk out most
mornings and check the
patch in hopes of a few
delicate shoots to eat, raw
and delicious. For me this
is the best way and feels
very healthy as it is rich
in all kinds of nutritious
vitamins, A, C, E, B12
and K, plus minerals
and antioxidants. It is
low in calories with no
fat, no cholesterol, and
no sodium. First off I
always consider what it can do for one's health. It is a good
source of fiber, a natural diuretic, improves mental ability,
contains glutathione known to break down carcinogens and
therefore fights and protects against cancer and aging. There
are innumerable case studies on the benefits of asparagus.
People have criticized its very pungent aroma and its effect
on the body yet memorably some like Dr. Urbino in Marquez'
"Love in the Time of Cholera" welcome the effects on the
urine which he insisted on spraying on his beloved garden. I
have only a small patch so really never get to cooking bunches
from the garden. I grew this from a crown given to me from
a friend who successfully grows rows and rows in Corozal
District. I probably broke all the planting rules but like me,
the asparagus plant originates from a maritime location and
loves sand, sea and salt -which could explain why the useless
sandy nature of my land is blessed with my favourite vegetable.
- Bananas in Danger: TR4 Panama
Disease: The next time you bite into
a banana, take a moment to
savor the delicious treat. With
its sweet, consistent taste and
creamy texture, it is no wonder
that bananas are the world's
most popular fruit. What
most do not realize as they are
peeling away its golden skin to
devour the scrumptious pulp is
that bananas are in danger. A
serious fungal disease threatens
to devastate the world-wide
banana industry. The culprit:
Fusarium oxysporum f.
sp. Cubense, which causes Fusarium wilt or Panama disease,
particularly Tropical Race 4.
According to ProMusa, an organization dedicated to promoting
banana industry news and science, the fungus survives in the soil
and "enters the plant through the roots and colonizes the xylem
vessels thereby blocking the flow of water and nutrients." Once
water flow is obstructed, the plant's leaves wilt, its base splits open,
and the plant later dies.
This is not the first time banana producers have had to deal with
Panama disease. Initial reports of the original fungus were noted in
1874 in Southeast Asia. The disease was identified and researched
as it began taking a devastating toll on the Gros Michel banana,
which was the common commercially-produced banana. By the
1890s, the disease had reached Central America and proceeded to
spread, wiping out plantations.
- TAMARIND: The tamarind tree is
a leguminous tree (a
tree which bears pods).
Tamarind fruit in pods,
or hulled is available in
farmers' markets around
Belize from January -
April.
The tamarind tree
(Tamarindus indica), a
member of the Fabaceae
family, is an evergreen
tree which has become increasingly popular in Belize and Central
America. Other names for the tamarind tree include: Indian date
(tamar-hindi), or tamarindo. The origin of this leguminous tree
is in East Africa, particularly in the Sudan where the tree grows
wild. The fruit was well-known to the ancient Egyptians, and also
to the Greeks as far back the fourth-century B.C. Its origin is also
traced to India where is it well-known and prolifically cultivated.
Taiwan, southern Asia, Oceana, China as well as most tropical
countries world-wide produce tamarinds. Marco Polo introduced
tamarinds to Europe in 1298. Tamarind trees were introduced in
Mexico in the sixteenth century. Mexico presently cultivates over
10,000 acres of tamarinds. If you enjoy Worcestershire sauce or
Marie Sharp's Special Sauce, you may be surprised to know one
of the main ingredients is tangy, sweet and sour tamarind syrup.
Tamarind trees have many uses including: culinary, medicinal,
carpentry, as a metal polish, as an ornamental shade tree, animal
fodder, and as mulch.
Tamarind trees are showy and elegant; they produce a
magnificent canopy of year-round foliage. Trees can reach up to
one hundred feet tall with graceful branches spreading over forty
feet across. Some trees are known to survive and produce fruit for
two hundred years!
- World Market Prices for Citrus Growers: Last year, according to figures from Citrus Products of Belize,
Ltd. (CPBL), 385 growers delivered fruit to the processing
facility. Orange production was 4 M cxs from a claimed
30,000 acres with an average of 130 cxs per acre. The industry
has never achieved an average of 400 cxs per acre. When we
delivered 7 M cxs from 40,000 acres, 8 years ago, the average
was 175 cxs per acre. Some few groves had production of
400 cxs per acre. It was never an industry wide figure, as low
prices prevented growers from affording the necessary inputs.
Even with the same inputs our harvest figures for Valencia are
different depending on rootstock. Our 18 year old Valencia are
on Sour Orange rootstock; the average production is 350 cxs per
acre. Fifteen years ago we were advised by the Citrus Growers
Association (CGA) that trees grafted on to Sour Orange would
be dead in 5 years and that we should use Swingle rootstock
instead. But our 15 year old Valencia on Swingle rootstock
averages only 30 cxs per acre and are dying.
There is never one simple cause to the problems in agriculture.
The decline in citrus production over the past 5 years is a
combination of the greening disease, faulty rootstocks and,
particularly, low prices to growers. For years, Belizean citrus
growers have been paid prices which are much lower than world
market prices for citrus juices. The citrus processors in Belize
have traditionally produced citrus concentrates, which sell for
much lower prices on the world market than the ready-to-drink
juices produced in consumer ready packs, such as the "Tetra
Pak". These types of packs have the advantage that they can be
distributed and stored without the need for refrigeration.
- Soil Conditioners: Previous articles in the Belize Ag Report have addressed the
need for soil amendments which are those things added
to soils to make up a deficiency or to improve the quality of
soils. They include a wide range of organic and non-organic
materials with different effects. This article deals with soil
conditioners or beneficially changing the soil.
A soil conditioner is a type of amendment that is added
mostly to improve the soil's physical qualities and thereby
enhance the chemical properties, especially the ability to
retain moisture and provide food for plants. Soil conditioners
improve poor soils, rebuild damaged soils, and can be used
to maintain soils in peak condition. Organic soil conditioners
include plant and animal wastes -compost, biochar, bone,
blood and fish meal, peat, coir (coconut husk), manure, straw,
vermiculite, sulfur, lime, blood meal, compost tea, hydroabsorbent
polymers and sphagnum moss and even some
mineral fertilizers, such as ammonium sulphate, that leave
acidic residues, or calcitic and magnesic fertilizers that leave
basic residues. The possibility of using other materials to
assume the role of composts and clays in improving the soil
gave rise to the term, soil conditioning.
Soil Structure. The most common use of soil conditioners
is to improve looseness while having good soil structure.
Depending on compaction, soils impede root growth and
decrease the ability of plants to take up nutrients and water.
Soil conditioners can add more airiness and improve texture
ratios to keep the soil loose as well as reduce harmful chemical
effects such as too high or too low pH.
- BEL-CAR Updates: A good market for beans should continue in 2014. Beans were
still being harvested in late April, finishing approximately 2
weeks later than normal due to the excessive rains which
delayed planting time. The later beans, black eyes and RKs,
have slightly better yields than the earlier beans. This yield
variation may be due to the dryness at the critical podding
time for the earlier beans, rather than rains.
Sales this season for beans appear bright, as there is a world
shortage of beans. The US Dry Bean Council is advising US
farmers to plant 15-20% more beans; however the reality
is that the US is projected to be planting less due to a seed
shortage. There have even been inquiries from the US to
Belize seeking to purchase RK seeds here. Similar seed
shortages are reported in Central America but not in Belize.
Here, generally farmers save their own RKs for planting the
following season; however they are encouraged to purchase
certified seed every 4 or 5 years.
Due to the lateness of this year's crop, Belize was forced to
import one container (50,000 lbs.) of RKs in December.
Jamaica was also totally out of RKs to start the new year,
due to shipping problems. Beans were ready but ships were
too full to take our beans there. After this was remedied, the
pendulum swung to create a glut of beans in Jamaica. There
is a chance to over-export beans this year with the world
shortage, but BEL-CAR monitors carefully to avoid a local
shortage.
Corn is stable at present on the Chicago market, but is
expected to climb as demand in the world is rising.
- Bird Watch - From My Perch:
By Marguerite Fly Bevis
Endangered Species: Although Belize boasts
at least 444 species of
birds, the Scarlet Macaw
(Aramacaocyanoptera) is
one of the most beautiful and
one of the most threatened
birds in the jewel. Scarlet
Macaws have survived the
tragic flooding of their habitat
by dams built in the mid 2000's. In 1989 there were about 200
known Scarlet Macaws in the country. Today, there may be
200 to 250 birds. They remain at threat due to the incursion
of poachers who steal chicks and cut down nesting trees. Scarlet
Macaws are already extirpated in most of Central America.
Funding is needed for patrolling, fuel, supplies for the
conservation teams working in very remote locations within the
Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Due to monitoring and protection
efforts of the Friends for Conservation (FCN), the "Scarlet
Six,"a group dedicated to protecting this important species,
and individuals, Sharon Matola of the Belize Zoo, Dr Isabelle
Paquet-Durand of the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic, Charles
Britt, Kristi Drexler, Roni Martinez and many others, poaching
in recent years has dropped from 90% to 30% according to a
monitoring team in 2013. U.S. citizens can make tax deductible
donations to the Rainforest Rescue Foundation, specifying the
funds to be allocated to the Belize Scarlet Macaw project.
- Results Of The 2014 Fourth Annual Bird-A-Thon: The Bird-a-Thon is held annually with the goal of raising
$15,000. Expect to see many more lodges and individual teams
participating next year in March. You can help by sponsoring
one of the teams or lodges, donating per species or per eagle, or
just give anything you wish.
Please feel free to contact me with birding news and
conservation efforts
- BLPA Works to Address Membership Needs: Following a successful AGM the end of February,
BLPA has buckled down following through on
ongoing projects and expanding into new areas. At
the AGM, one new director was added, Mr. Albert
Moore, of Cayo District. Officers for the new board will be reported
in issue 26. Prices for finished steers/bulls and prices for breeding
heifers continue their upward climb. (See pg. 14 for charts showing
Belize cattle prices over the past 5 yrs.) The market outlook for cattle
production in Belize continues to look very bright. The Cattle Sweep: The second round of the sweep is almost
completed in the Northern Districts of Orange Walk and Corozal.
Work in the central zone will begin on May 17th.
Restructuring: BLPA is undergoing analysis to see how best to
revise itself to better serve members. Inter-American Institute for
Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is assisting in that task, and
sent Dr. Carlos Pomareda, an experienced livestock consultant
and rancher himself, from Costa Rica to Belize.
- Pesticides Control Board
Pesticide Imports Statistics
April 2014: The Pesticides Control Board over
the past years has been gathering
data on the importation of
pesticides in Belize. Since 2006,
the focus has been on having the
database reflect the quantities
imported expressed in kilograms
of Active Ingredient (kg of A.I.).
The following is a report on the
pesticides imported into Belize between 2010 to 2013.
Figure 1 shows the total amount of pesticide imported
between 2010 to 2013. This includes the following
pesticide classifications: domestic, agricultural, industrial
and public health use. There was a slight increase between
2010 to 2013 from seven hundred and thirty metric tons
to one thousand and ninety three metric tons of Active
Ingredients.
- HOMEMADE HEALTH
FERMENTED FOOD: The frequent use of antibiotics and antibacterial soaps results in
a depleted supply of "good bacteria"in our gut which we need to
effectively get nutrients from our food. We hear about probiotics
and buy expensive tablets to counteract the effects of taking
antibiotics. A healthier approach is fermented food; it helps to
restore the proper balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal
system while being tasty and interesting and full of nutrition.
Fermentation helps pre-digest food before we consume it. Foods
that are difficult to digest are more easily broken down after
fermentation. In some cases micro-nutrients are synthesized
during the fermentation process. For example, cabbage that has
been fermented has known cancer fighting compounds. These
foods are rich in enzymes which are needed to digest, absorb,
and utilize the nutrients in our food. They help us to absorb
the nutrients we're consuming. Lacto-fermented food is easy
and inexpensive to prepare; foods like sauerkraut and pickled
cucumbers provide the same benefits as purchased probiotics.
Fermentation is a good way to preserve foods, increase nutritional
value and improve taste without spending a lot of money. There
was a workshop on fermenting foods at the Caves Branch
Jungle Lodge in January 2014. Instructors were expert artisan
cheese makers from Vermont, Larry & Linda Faillace, who also
periodically teach courses in cheese making at Caves Branch
Jungle Lodge.
- Spanish Lookout
Commercial /Industrial Expo 2014: Most of the steady stream of traffic heading for Spanish
Lookout on February 28 and March 1 must have been going
to the Expo held there. The park and huge covered pavilion
were teeming with people. Friday's crowd numbered 4,000,
many of which were students; Saturday's crowd was 11,000,
greater than the previous Expo held in 2012. People came
from all over the country to view the displays and products of
the 100 exhibitors, enjoy the wonderful food and fun on buggy
rides, boat rides, tractor rides, ATV rides, trampolines and in
the bounce house. The agricultural and commercial exhibitors
were from all over the country. A big livestock exhibition was
planned but ended up very limited because the dates of the
Expo coincided with the country-wide Cattle Sweep program,
in which cattle were being examined and certified to be free of
disease. If you haven't attended Expo before, look forward to
attending the next one in 2016.
- Honey: Nutritional Facts
and Medical Uses: Honey has been consumed by humans for over 10,000 years.
It is the only food from insects that we eat. Honey is derived
from the nectar of flowers, which is gathered by the female, or
worker bee and stored in her honey sac for transportation to
the hive. While obtaining the nectar, pollen from the flower
is gathered on the two hind legs of the bee. During the course
of the day, a bee may make as many as 25 trips gathering
nectar and pollen, but will only visit one type of flower. This
phenomenon is known as flower fidelity and is nature's way of
not confusing the pollination issue.
Upon her returns to the hive, she is greeted by guards who
identify her as a member of the colony and allow her entrance.
She then passes her partially digested nectar to another
worker or deposits the nectar in an empty cell in the wax
foundation. The pollen is deposited in a cell and softened
with water to a paste. This pollen paste, a source of protein, is
used for rearing the brood.
The complex sugar (sucrose) is converted to simpler sugars
(glucose and fructose) to which are added enzymes. Water,
which in the beginning stage of honey is the dominate
component, is evaporated by the bees fanning the honey with
their wings. Less water content allows the product to better
resist spoiling. Good honey contains only about 18% water or
less.
- : Local and Regional
Fuel Prices
- Agriculture Prices at a Glance- $$$$$: Find local and some international commodity prices
on our Agriculture Prices at a Glance section.
- Ag Briefs: New Inter-American
Institute for Cooperation
on Agriculture, (IICA)
Country Representative
to Belize, The Chocolate Festival of Belize, Russia already has GMO
labeling required for all
foods with greater than 0.9%
GMO, and other GMO-related news.
- Letters To THE EDITOR
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