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

And more mangoesteens than I can eat!

Doggone it, I was looking for a good field guide to snakes...but $US199.00, used,...is a bit more than I expected.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The August 2014 - October 2014 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online.
Click HERE to download the PDF

This Issue's Stories:

• Chia: The New Old Super Food of Belize: Chia seeds, or Salvia hispancia, may be new to the ever growing list of marketable foods grown in Belize, but this super food has been around this region since the ancient Maya. Its common name "chia" is an ancient Nahuatl word for "oily". The southern Mexican state of Chiapas is said to be a combination of the word "chia" and "water " making an interesting combination considering that chia seeds soaked in water make a vital rehydrating drink that is often served a variety of ways in the Mundo-Maya and now the rest of the world. Legend even has it that chia soaked in water was the only food that ceremonialpurified royal messengers were allowed to consume during their long treks between Mayan city-states. When I asked Ronald Reimer, a chia farmer in Spanish Lookout, about this legend, he thinks it could be quite true. While he has never personally been on a complete chia and water fast, he makes a traditional drink by soaking chia in water between meals and he notices all cravings in between meals and stomach pains that he used to associate with gastritis are gone. Now he enjoys this super food over salads, in smoothies, over or in breads, and adds a handful to cereals and baked goods; they turn "normal" food into an energy-packed health food. Ronald also suspects that because of its gelatinous quality when it is wet, it could also be made into puddings as a safe replacement for tapioca and dairy desserts.
• The National Agriculture and Food Production Policy: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) with the collaboration of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Institute of the Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA) is revising and updating the National Agriculture and Food Production Policy that was produced in 2000. No Farmer = No Food. Although this policy is still relevant today, there are a number of issues such as climate change, risk management in agriculture, greater emphasis in value addition and agro-processing that need further strengthening. A series of consultations with various interest groups of public and private sectors including NGOs, and civil societies were carried out throughout the country, starting in April 2014. The aim was to engage key stakeholders in this process, develop and strengthen a dialogue platform for agricultural issues and ensure ownership of the final policy. Participation was extremely encouraging and agriculture issues discussed were diverse. Some of these burning issues raised were: the need for a comprehensive taxation review that facilitates competitiveness for the productive sector; need for affordable credit; need to strengthen collaboration and coordination among public and private sector; revision of fiscal incentives regimes; strengthening of agencies responsible for standards, sanitary and phytosanitary and other protocols needed for exports; markets and marketing linkages; ease of doing business, and responsible governance at all levels among others
• Citrus Greening Affects Roots Before Leaves: Although citrus greening enters the tree through the leaves indirectly through the Asian Citrus Psyllid, University of Florida researchers have discovered that the disease attacks the roots long before the leaves show signs of the damage. The Asian Citrus Psyllid feeds on the leaf sap and passes on the bacteria that causes citrus greening into the tree and the bacteria travels quickly to the roots according to Researcher Evan Johnson. In the roots the bacteria replicate, damage the root system and spread to the rest of the canopy. The disease starves the tree of nutrients, leaving fruits that are green and misshapen, unsuitable for fresh fruit or juice. Most infected trees die within a few years. The University of Florida researchers found that citrus greening causes a loss of 30 to 50 percent of trees fibrous roots before symptoms are visible above ground. The early root loss means that the health of the citrus trees is severely compromised before the grower even knows it is infected.
• Integrated Pest Management And Control Guide: of pests and diseases that can damage crops of major and minor economical importance exceeds 3000 with an increase of approximately 10 new pests reported every year. But the good news is that specific ones that have a major influence on productivity in any particular region are usually limited. Pests can be of different natures and can be crop specific or generic, so the range of potential control measures is huge. Nevertheless there are a number of basic principles which can be applied to reduce their impact on yield and quality. Dr. Carlos Itza compiled a list of pests for common vegetable crops, surveillance procedures and details in the nonchemical eradication of pests in a publication called Guide to Organic Pest Management for Vegetable and Other Crops in Belize. The guide is available to farmers and gardeners. Studies conducted in Belize reveal that there are 3 major areas of concern for small farmers: marketing, post harvest and alternative pest control methods. Farmers report that pest damages can range from 40 - 99% in crop loss. The most common method currently used to control both pests and diseases in vegetable crops is pesticide spray. The adverse health effects from pesticide use is aggravated by several challenges, in terms of safe storage of the pesticide, safe application of the pesticide by the laborer, appropriate frequency of application for optimum benefit, and the necessity to ensure no chemical residue at harvest and market delivery. There is also the danger of resistance development to the pesticide by the target pest or pathogen.
• Energetic Agriculture: The Gene & the Minerals: In the year 1974 Dr. Henry Schroeder in his book Trace Minerals and Man said that unless the current pace of discovery is increased, it would take another 400 years before we understand the role of the various trace nutrients (minerals/elements) on Mendeleyev's Periodic Table. But in the year 2003, after some twenty-plus years studying genetics, Dr. Richard Olree, a practicing chiropractic physician, shattered the prediction of Dr. Schroeder. By sequencing the amino acids in the process of constructing proteins, Dr. Olree traced all the elements, including the 22 sub-atomic particles to their participatory function in the life process of man, animal and plant. A few years later in 2006, a full length book, Minerals for the Genetic Code was written by Charles Walters to popularize Dr. Richard Orlee's Standard Genetic Periodic Chart and the physical, chemical and biological connections. Every serious student of minerals, genes, and m-state elements should keep a copy.
• Switchels, Oxymels and Shrubs Regaining Popularity: Switchels, oxymels and shrubs have one thing in common and what I am about to say may leave the soft drink companies groaning. I walk the beach most mornings and every few feet encounter plastic drink bottles galore. I wondered what people used to drink. The switchel, oxytel and shrub were the forerunners to today's energy drinks, rehydration fluid, soft drinks and concentrates. The switchel, a splendid word that rolls off the tongue and describes an equally refreshing beverage, is made from water, vinegar, sugar and ginger with other ingredients such as oatmeal, lemon, and lime. It is similar to ginger beer in taste and originated in the Caribbean. As early as the 17th century it migrated to the USA and quenched the thirst of southern farmers who christened it haymaker's punch. The oxymel is a medicinal drink courtesy of the ancient Greeks made from four parts honey with one part vinegar simmered to reduce the volume, then diluted with water. It was used to fight bacteria, break congestion and coughs, soothe a sore throat, restore energy and cure a host of other maladies. Different herbs can be added for various conditions and personal taste. The herbs are infused for weeks, and the jar shaken regularly to impart the flavours of the healthy ingredients. This makes a refreshing drink or perky addition to salad dressings and sauces. Try making small batches and experiment with ratios.
• Exotic Birds in Belize, Not Wild Avians��We're Talking Chickens: A visit to the Chrissie Tupper's farm near Cheer's Restaurant, reveals that the poultry of Belize are at least as diverse as the people. Our expectations were to see her Guinea hens, whom she affectionately calls 'the polka dot mafia', but we were treated to a wide collection of exotics including Guineas, Silkies, Polish, Frizzles, local turkeys and assorted ducks. Chrissie maintains over 200 head, and year-in and -out, her farm provides all the eggs for their Cheer's restaurant (between 300 to 600 eggs /wk., depending on the season). The approximately 80' x80' chicken yard has a well-drained foundation; used rice hull stable bedding from her horses provides a nice dry footing, and the decomposing manure provides some delectable insect treats to supplement the poultry's diet. Next year Chrissie will move the fowl yard and use this very fertile area for a garden. A raised and gutted school bus, (see photo) offers shade and protection under the bus while the inside of the bus has partitions which can be closed to keep night predators out, creating a comfy giant chicken condo. Chrissie, an avid poultry aficionado, maintains her incubator upstairs; down stairs, a brooder with a heat lamp, and a converted horse stall accommodate interim juveniles until they are ready to face the main yard.
• Meet Valley of Peace Farms Ltd and Cayo Grain & Agro Supply Ltd: The agriculture community has been following with great interest, the frenzy of activity this year as an enormous dryer, huge storage silos and grain handling equipment rise on the south side of the George Price Hwy at Mile 54. Belize Ag visited with Douglas Johnson, general manager of both Valley of Peace Farms Ltd (VOPF) and Cayo Grain & Agro Supply Ltd (CG&AS) to discuss their project, plans and visions. Doug brings decades of experience and a world marketing view to their state-of-the-art operation there. Approximately 10 years ago, Doug and his wife Laurie heard about an opportunity in Belize to purchase farmland and after making several trips to the country and discussing it between themselves for some time they asked themselves the question�. "Are we up for this challenge?" The thought they had was "If we don't try it, we will never find out how good it might have been." So, the journey began�.. After 35 years of farming mainly yellow corn, soybeans and raising 16 million lbs of turkeys annually in Minnesota, Doug is turning his South Central Minnesota operation over to his son. In 2005, the Johnsons purchased the first lands for Valley of Peace Farms Ltd. His first row crop here was corn in the rainy season of 2007. Soon, his love for agriculture sparked an interest in a bigger goal: a commercial operation to address the CARICOM market, and that led to the formation of sister company, Cayo Grain and Agro Supply Ltd. (CG &AS) in 2013. Doug feels that Belize's greatest advantage in agriculture at this time is being part of CARICOM, and our central location regarding sales to Central, North and South America.
• Can your soil be harmed by effects from too much lime?: Finding the correct answer to that question can be quite confusing. The problem is complicated because some soils produce extremely well that have a high pH and very high calcium levels, and yet other soils, sometimes on the same farm, with the same pH and calcium levels are a big problem. We see this in soils from several parts of the U.S., France and Austria for example. Because some soils do so well with a high pH and high calcium, it can give the false impression that too much lime to supply more calcium would never be a problem. But it can be, and it is an expensive problem to fix once you have it. Many farmers have been told, "You can't use too much lime." That is not true! In our work with thousands and thousands of acres that have previously been over-limed, detailed soil testing continues to prove applying too much lime is a detriment to most soils. This holds true not only for grass and forage crops, but for whatever crop you are intending to grow. And once this happens, it can be far more expensive to correct than just the cost of spreading an excessive amount of limestone or other calcium containing material.
• BEL-CAR UPDATES: As corn prices have remained stable, there has been no significant increase in acreage planted in corn. The corn in the ground this rainy season is looking promising, as there appears to be less problems with the chronic earworms. This is thought to be because there was much rain soon after planting. The new lands, reddish-brown soil near Hillbank and Indian Creek (Yalbac purchase), was suffering due to the dry weather up to the last days of July. Spider mites are beginning to be pests, also surmised to be from the dry weather. Normally there is more rain in July, and then a mini-dry 'mauga' season in August. This year has shown us a dry July - until the last days of the month. A wet August is predicted by some. The corn inventory is fine, and supplies should last until the first harvests around September 1st. BEL-CAR has purchased four new silos from Sukup in the USA. Each has a capacity of 4,200 tons. Also, BEL-CAR added another new elevator.
• FAO 'Seed for Development' Project, A Bright Future for Open-Pollinated Corn: The experimental seed development project sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and carried out by Cayo farmers under the direction of Lead Extension Officer, William Can, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA), is a resounding success! The project objective was to evaluate and multiply seeds of three improved corn varieties, two of which were white corn and one yellow, that adapted to weather and soil conditions of the Cayo District from the previous year's experiment. The slogan that evolved is Good seed = Good yield. The table below gives details of the demo plots that were established. The participating farmers painstakingly monitored the plants' growth and development as they adhered to the rigid procedures for producing high quality seeds in their one-acre plots. The charts and tables below compare the 2012 and 2013 trials. The table below shows the data that was collected in the trials of each corn variety in the 2012 corn cycle.
• CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY: A previous article in Belize Ag Report explained the chemistry of soil in terms of ionic composition. It is worth repeating here that the soil is a medium composed of minerals which yield/ retain ions and can exchange or retain ions of the soil solutions. Cations are the positively charged species: calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg ++), potassium (K+) , sodium (Na+). The proportion of the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) accounted for by those elements as exchangeable bases is frequently used as an indication of soil fertility. CEC is a concept that is arbitrarily defined and seeks to inform on the nutrient reserves held by the soil. The value is highly dependent on pH as the acidity/basicity of the soil determines the value of the exchange. As a practical matter, soil testing frequently reports not only the values of the indicator cations but also the CEC. The principal reason for this lies in the fact that in preparation of the soil sample an extraction is performed to determine the exchangeable nutrients. Different soils have different exchange capacities that are directly correlated to the types of clay minerals and organic matter. The type of sample preparation attempts to mimic the exchange of cations as occurs in the soil when water contacts the soil.
• Agricultural Trends in Spanish Lookout: A study of the trends in agriculture in Spanish Lookout is a study of expansion and growth in terms of cultivated acreage, types of crops, and number of farmers. These life-long farmers, who took their mechanized practices with them when they moved to Mexico from Canada and then in 1958 to Belize, have faced many challenges over the years. Belize is no exception to the risks related to weather and price fluctuations; farmers make their decisions on what to grow and when to plant to minimize their risks and maximize their gain. Unlike most farmers in the temperate zone, Belizean farmers can plant 2 crops per year. Corn, the major crop in Spanish Lookout, is known as a "summer" crop, as is rice; red kidney (RK) beans and black eyed peas (blackeyes) are the major "winter" crops along with relative newcomers, milo and soybeans. Records kept in the central office of Spanish Lookout start in 1990 but have gaps for some crops; so the charts show acreage, harvest (number of 100 lb. bags) and yield (pounds per acre) for the summer and winter crops for the years ending 2004 - 2013. Records for corn show an expansion from 4,477 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2013, which includes rented land well beyond the borders of Spanish Lookout. Although the acreage was only a 5-fold increase, the harvest was a 10-fold increase during the same time period while the number of farmers increased from under 100 to 134. Yields have fluctuated due primarily to weather. The lowest yield, 1600 lbs. per acre, was in 1996; the highest, 46oo was in 2012. Although the other summer crop, rice, has been grown since 1993, gaps in the record preclude a complete picture; however there was a dramatic 620% increase in the number of acres between 1998 and 2014 and the number of farmers over the same time period increased from 2 to 29.
• The Chiquibul Forest Reserve - Ours to Lose: The Scarlet Macaw is an important indicator species for the health of the rainforest. The current population is estimated to be about 200 birds, which is not a good number. The macaws in our country are genetically distinct and geographically separated from other populations in South America. Despite the destruction of some of its habitat due to the hydroelectric dams that were built in their breeding grounds, they continue to exist. This is due in part to the efforts of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team (S6). Recently, the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) also joined forces offering veterinary services in the field. Thanks to all this, along with countless volunteers, some new chicks are fledging safely. But, recently the monitoring team returned with sad news that two macaw nests had been poached due to their remote locations. The plight of the Scarlet Macaws should serve as a giant red flag to all Belizeans as it indicates that the future of our rainforest is in trouble. Indeed, the Chiquibul Forest is under siege by poachers taking hardwoods, Xate palms, Scarlet Macaws, wildlife, and anything else they can possibly take to sell. There are farmers planting milpas and people basically acting as if the forest belongs to them.
• Brand Registration and the Belize Livestock Registry: This month at Belize Livestock Producers Assoc. (BLPA), amongst other things, we are starting a drive to get all cattle owners to register, renew or get up to date with their brand registration. The Belize Livestock Registry (BLR), which is administered by the BLPA and based at their offices in Belmopan, was brought into being under the Cattle Branding Act, Number 207, and was revised in December 2000. It states that all cattle born should be branded before they reach 12 months of age or prior to sale. When you buy an animal you should brand it within 30 days of taking ownership with your own brand. This new brand should in no way alter, obscure, or come into contact with the original brand. The branding procedure is very important; if your animal is not branded it is almost impossible to prove ownership in the case of rustling, which we all know is reaching almost epidemic proportions in some areas of country, especially in Belize and Cayo Districts. As part of the National Cattle Sweep and the BLR traceability systems, each animal in your herd, whether you have only 5 animals or 500, is given two tags with a number unique to that animal. Correlating these tag numbers with your brand makes it much easier to identify the origin of an animal. When an animal is transported, movement permits must be filled in recording the origin and destination of the animal; so when an inspection at a police or BAHA checkpoint, or even in a slaughterhouse or butcher's shop is made, this animal can be traced back to the owner, thus ensuring that it actually belongs to the seller and has not been stolen or otherwise misappropriated.
• HOMEMADE HEALTH By MARGUERITE FLY BEVIS, RN, BSN: The purpose of this column is to share useful information about health that is relatively inexpensive and readily available for everyone. The information is not meant to be a substitute for health care, i.e., regular visits to a healthcare provider for check-ups and when you are ill. Instead, these are tips I have learned that help keep me and my family healthy, therefore requiring fewer visits to the doctor, saving time and money, not to mention enjoying the benefits of good health. A key area to consider is immune health. A healthy body is not as likely to be susceptible to daily threats, such as bacterial and viral invasions. The body is built to resist and to heal. When it is weak, defenses are down, and it becomes more likely to succumb to disease. An obvious way to stay healthy is to eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, stay away from processed foods, eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, protein, fish, chicken, grass-fed beef, and use healthy oils and fats such as coconut oil, olive oil and avocado. Exercise is very important to maintain good health. The body was built to move. When it stops moving, it starts falling apart. Muscles deteriorate and the body ceases its ability to function properly. Exercise doesn't have to be an hour work out at a gym. It is as simple as moving about during the day, taking a walk, climbing stairs, playing games with children. People I know who lived into their late 90's were active until the end, mowing their own lawns, and chopping their own firewood. They ate and drank moderately, exercised, and they lived long lives.
• Salt and Minerals for Livestock: Animals, including humans, have been given a natural taste for salt, but not necessarily for trace minerals. That is probably why in natural states (solid and solution), salt is found with a wide variety of minerals, often balanced in the best proportions enabling their utilization by animals. In the wild, animals find their salt and minerals by selectively eating to their requirements. Domesticated stock need regular, if not constant, supplementation to optimize their growth, reproduction and immune systems. Sodium chloride, or salt, is vital for maintaining the osmotic pressure in the body's cells, enabling both nutrients and waste to move across cell membranes. Trace and other minerals are becoming more appreciated as their exact functions are defined by researchers such as Dr. Richard Olree. He states "Cells are all protein producers. Trace nutrients govern the kind of protein you will have." Charles Walters adds, "If deficiency labels a mineral or if there is a toxicity of a given mineral, then proper genetic expression becomes impossible." Balanced minerals are essential.
• National Agriculture and Trade Show 2014- A Growing Success: The 41st annual National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) 2014 welcomed approximately 36,000 visitors at the newly updated 60+ acre Belmopan Fairgrounds from May 3-5. Attendance has steadily increased since its inception in 1973. Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, the mood of the event was sunny. The fairgrounds have been restructured to separate agriculture, animal and entertainment exhibits. The theme of the NATS 2014 was "Stimulating Prosperity in Agriculture Through Renewed Public and Private Partnerships". The goal of this event was to educate the public about the importance of sustainable agriculture in Belize and to inspire the younger generation to consider farming as an occupation. Numerous vendors displayed their equipment and agriculture-related products. An exhibit of all the co-ops and their products for sale was a popular feature of the event. The venue, serving also as a nation-wide social event, featured rodeos, farm exhibits, lively music, entertainment and food. Profits from the 2014 NATS will be used to improve the NATS for 2015. Mark your calendar for April 24 - 26, 2015.
• Belize Poultry Association: The Belize Poultry Association (BPA) held it 2013 annual general meeting on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at the Biltmore Hotel. The guest speaker was the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture. The new BPA Board of Directors is chaired by David P. Reimer of Spanish Lookout. Other members of the executive are Larry Reimer, Vice-Chair; David Hiebert, Secretary; and Bernhard Bergen, Treasurer. The highlight of the report was the increase in production of broiler meat (4.1%) and table eggs of 22%. The industry is poised as one of the highest contributors to agricultural GDP and the highest contributor to the livestock GDP. The industry wholesale value now stands at more than 100 million dollars. Chicken hovers above 107 lbs. of meat per capita and eggs are at 156 per capita. The industry is ever mindful of the potential entry of diseases and therefore remains ever vigilant through its biosecurity programmes. The BPA is planning a poultry school for the first week of November as a means of continuing education for its members.
• Belize Pig Council Updates, The Industry Slowly Expands and Thrives: Three swine inventories are done annually in Belize, and they reveal that there are about 20,000 live pigs in the country at any one time. Overall, our country pig head count is up 5-10% since our last swine industry article in Issue 17, August 2012. The geographic proportions for locations of the pigs in country are unchanged; 75% of the industry is still located in Shipyard, Orange Walk District. There are about 3 farms with over 1,000 head within Belize; one is in Spanish Lookout and the other large piggeries are located in Shipyard. Being smaller scale has its advantages regarding disease control. Pigs in Belize do not require any regular vaccinations. Coccidia treatments (wormers) are administered, and occasionally iron shots are given to the animals. Mexico is experiencing some problems with Porcine Epidemic Diarhea (PED); those farms are located in northern Mexico, far from Belize. PED does not affect humans, so is not a human public health issue. Porcine dressing percentages remain about the same, a respectable 74-76%, and slaughter houses note that there is an increased leanness on most carcasses. Regarding input costs, corn prices are stable and soybeans are up. Swine prices to the farmer are also rising. Weaner pigs (25-30 lbs) range from $85 to $120 for the top grade and finished butcher pigs (180 -230 lbs) are bringing $1.95 to 2.15/lb. Sale quantities are up and it appears Belizeans are consuming more pork, although a small number have been exported to Peten, Guatemala.
• Pigs in the Americas: The Belizean collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu, is a member of the family Suina and descends from the ancient Percheorus, who thrived in the Eocene era about 37 M years ago. Their cousins, the domesticated pig, originated in Eurasia and are also members of that Suina family. The Chinese domesticated the pig around 5000 BC. From China they spread throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. Christopher Columbus was the first to bring pigs into this hemisphere, carrying them on his ship by order of Queen Isabella, landing in Cuba in 1493. In 1539 Hernando deSoto sailed to Florida, carrying the first pigs on to the American mainland. The feral (wild) pigs of the Americas are descended from the escaped domestic pigs, not peccaries.
• Flamboyant Trees in Belize: The flamboyant tree has been described as one of the loveliest and most colorful trees in the world. With a blaze of yellow to crimson red blossoms and delicate fern-like leaves, the magnificent flowers grace Belize from April until September in Belize and all around the earth in tropical climates. Flamboyant trees belong to the family Fabaceae/ Legumiosea, sub-family Caesalpiniodeae. In addition to being a joy to behold, flamboyant trees also have healing properties and may be a source of revenue for Belize farmers and growers. Flamboyant trees, Delonix regia, have been grown primarily as ornamental shade trees since at least the 17th century. The tree is indigenous to Madagascar. Since the 18th century Flamboyant trees have been widely cultivated in most tropical regions. Other common names for the tree include: flame tree, fire tree, peacock tree, arbol el fuego. The tree was previously considered to be in the genus Poinciana and was known as royal Poinciana.
• Byrsonima crassifolia, aka: CRABOO, Love it, or ����..not: It's craboo time in Belize as we go to print. Children along the Hummingbird have been hawking them for weeks, and now in most of Belize it's craboo season too. There are some fruits, if one is not a native to their native area, growing up with them and their exotic smells and tastes, can never attain a 'favorite fruit' status. Newcomers to the tropics seldom stop by the speed bumps to purchase a $1. bag of craboo. But to those raised in craboo's native lands, from Mexico to Brazil and in much of the Caribbean, Byrsonima crassifolia is a treasured fruit, a reminder of their childhood, collecting ripe fruit under trees and eating fermented craboo during the Christmas holidays. Craboo has a particular aroma - indescribable, but unlikely to be utilized by the perfume industry. Other names include nance in Mexico, tapal in Guatemala, nance verde in El Salvador, and golden spoon in some of the Caribbean.
• Making Vinegar from Tropical Fruits: There are times when God gives us fruit so abundantly in the tropics that we don't always know what to do with it all. Homemade vinegar can be one way of using some of the excess, yielding a product with many uses: household, culinary and medicinal. We have made vinegar from many different fruits, including sweet and sour carambola, wax jamboo, Malay apple, pineapple, wild grape, and blackberry (java plum). I'm sure we have not exhausted all of the possibilities. Often, as in the case with pineapple or sweet carambola, vinegar is made from the peels and trimmings of a canning project, or in the case of blackberry or wild grape, with a juice making endeavor. Good, whole fruits can also be used, though we would tend to select the best Malay apples, for example, for other purposes and use the culls for vinegar. Once we made vinegar from a failed mango sauce canning project. A neighbor made vinegar from a bucket of orange juice left over from a wedding. In our communities, sour carambola has been the most faithful standby for vinegar, as it bears abundantly, but is too sour to eat as is. But fruits do not need to be sour to make good vinegar, for acetic acid is produced from sugar.
• Dear Rubber Boots, Can you recommend a good tropical gardening reference book? Thanks.: The absolute best reference on tropical fruits is Julia F. Morton's encyclopedic 1987 gem, Fruits of Warm Climates, ISBN: 0-9610184-1-0. She was a world renowned Research Professor at the University of Miami and served on numerous horticultural boards in the USA and internationally. Her maxim was: "I don't want to suppose. I want to know." The printed version is distributed by Creative Resource Systems, Inc. Box 890, Winterville, N.C. 28590, or find new and used copies on Amazon. Luckily, it is also online at Purdue University's site: http://www.hort.purdue. edu/newcrop/morton/index.html. The Bibliography in the back of this very reader-friendly classic 500+ page tome is 37 pages; this is THE source book for tropical fruits.
• The Honeybee Crisis: According to John Ross Crooks, editor of Sovereign Living magazine, 23% of American honeybee colonies died in 2013. In fact, every year since 2006, about 30% of the nation's honeybee colonies have perished. If honeybee populations continue to decline, a serious crisis lies ahead because they are vital to insect-pollinated plants that make up 1/3 of the human diet. The USDA estimates $15 billion in agricultural production hinges on the survival of the American honeybee. There is still some mystery behind colony collapse. Monoculture (the practice of growing a single crop over a large area), parasites, pesticides, sickness, genetics and habitat loss are believed to be factors. However, according to recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health, neonicotinoid, a pesticide class similar to nicotine, is a significant factor in the shocking decline of honeybee colonies.
• Study finds association between maternal exposure to agricultural pesticides: Pregnant women who lived in close proximity to fields and farms where chemical pesticides were applied experienced a two-thirds increased risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delay, a study by researchers with the UC Davis MIND Institute has found. The associations were stronger when the exposures occurred during the second and third trimesters of the women's pregnancies. The large, multisite California-based study examined associations between specific classes of pesticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates, applied during the study participants' pregnancies and later diagnoses of autism and developmental delay in their offspring. It is published online today in Environmental Health Perspectives. "This study validates the results of earlier research that has reported associations between having a child with autism and prenatal exposure to agricultural chemicals in California," said lead study author Janie F. Shelton, a UC Davis graduate student who now consults with the United Nations. "While we still must investigate whether certain sub-groups are more vulnerable to exposures to these compounds than others, the message is very clear: Women who are pregnant should take special care to avoid contact with agricultural chemicals whenever possible."
• Mrs. Itza's SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CRABOO: This is a simplified method of how to ferment a 5 gallon bucket of craboo (Byrsonima crassifolia). Step 1: Wash the craboo and take out the stems. Step 2: Drain the water and add 10 lbs of brown sugar. Put the lid on tightly so no air can spoil the craboo. Step 3: After 3-4 weeks check to see if all the sugar has dissolved; if not then mix the craboo and sugar with a clean utensil. After maybe another 1-2 weeks sugar should be dissolved; drain out all the water (liquid) that is in the bucket. The reason for this is that all that liquid is very sour!! (not spoiled but sour as in 'lime sour'). By this time the craboo has changed in color from yellow to light brown.
• Chart Regarding Salt and Minerals: For more information on minerals in foods relative to health, see Dr. August Dunning's chart on our ONLINE ANNEX which appears with the regular .pdf of this issue, as page 39. The Dunning chart illustrates the eerie inverse relationship between the dropping mineral content in modern foods (post 1920) and the increase in health problems.
• : 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

The February 2015 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online.
Click HERE to download the PDF

This Issue's Stories:

• Spices: By Dr. Thomas Mathew of the Belize Spice Farm. Spices are plant products used to flavor or preserve food. Some spices are also used in medicines, perfumes and cosmetics. The spice trade began thousands of years ago by Arab merchants who controlled it. Later, Europeans dominated the trade, taking advantage of the monsoon wind (wind patterns between continents due to seasonal temperature differences). In 1499, the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama landed on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India (where the author was born and raised), in search of spices. At about the same time, Columbus, while trying to find a western route to reach India (also searching for spices), found the "New World". The spice trade strongly influenced world history. Colonial powers controlled many spice growing regions of the world and competed to gain and retain the control. Spices were the most precious commodity in the world at one time. India and Indonesia were the sources for black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and turmeric. Allspice, bell and chili pepper, vanilla and chocolate were the New World's contributions to the spice family. Botanically, spices are variously classified as: dried fruits or seeds, such as black pepper; arils, such as mace or nutmeg; barks, such as cinnamon and cassia; dried flower buds, such as cloves; stigma, such as saffron; roots or rhizomes, such as turmeric and ginger; or resins, such as asafetida. The flavors of spice come from their volatile oils, which are oxidized on exposure to air and accelerated after powdering.
• The Chiquibul Forest Reserve - Ours to Keep - FROM MY PERCH columnist, Marguerite Fly Bevis: In the last column, warnings were issued to all Belizeans about the dire situation in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, the incursion and theft of natural resources and the woeful lack of personnel and equipment to deal with the problem. In September 2014, a tourism policeman was murdered at Caracol in the middle of the day, witnessed by horrified tourists, tour guides, and a fellow officer. The police had confiscated horses the previous day from illegal loggers who returned to issue their revenge on the unsuspecting young Danny Conorquie, who gave his life in the battle for sovereignty of this great nation, Belize. The resulting outcry was immediate and agonizing. Finally, Belizeans woke up to the unpleasant fact that Belize has been invaded and, indeed, is at war for its very sovereignty. Because of a continued lack of security efforts along the border by the Government of Belize for many years, the Guatemalans were emboldened to cross into Belize. It was just a matter of time before they would retaliate for Belizean authorities doing their job and disrupting their illegal activities.
• Pound Solids System of Payment for Citrus: Redistributing the Benefits: The pound system payment for citrus has been implemented for oranges since 2003 and for grapefruit since 2005. It has played a crucial role of rewarding payments for quality. Those growers who deliver quality fruit receive more monies than growers who deliver less quality fruits, i.e. fewer pounds per box of fruit delivered. Pound solids is the quantity of solids in a 90 pound box of orange or 80 pounds box of grapefruit. The solids are basically the sugar in the juice but can include other solid materials in juice. To obtain good pound solids, the right practices begin at the orchard level: taking good care of the citrus trees and the soil, which includes maintaining a good pH close to 6.0 and providing adequate fertilization. When fruits begin to mature, a sample is taken to the factory for analysis of quality. The timing of harvesting oranges and grapefruit at optimum maturity rewards the owner good payments for the pound solids in juice. As soon as the fruits are harvested they must be delivered in less than 24 hours. Once a fruit is harvested the decaying process begins immediately.
• Taiwan Experience On Huanglongbing (HLB) Management: Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening devastated the citrus production in Taiwan in 1951. HLB disease caused great economic loss to the citrus industry by shortening tree lifespan and lowering fruit quality. In order to formulate adequate control measures of HLB, etiological and epidemiological studies and detection techniques on HLB were conducted in Taiwan. Now this systemic disease is generally controlled by integrated measures such as cultivating pathogen-free (PF) seedlings, eliminating inoculum sources and integrated pest management (IPM) - all this for reducing the secondary spread by the insect vector. Healthy Citrus Nursery Production in Taiwan In 1973, Taiwan began to produce PF healthy citrus trees with the use of mother trees from Ponkan and Tankan cultivars. These were selected and then pathogens were eliminated by heat therapy. In 1981, the government launched the Developmental and Assistance Program for the citrus industry in Taiwan; it was a three-level system (Foundation Tree, Scion Tree and Healthy Nursery Plant).
• Energetic Agriculture Mineral Requirements: To be productive soil must contain minerals such as boron, calcium, sulfur, carbon, silicon, manganese, magnesium, iron, nitrogen as nitrates & ammonia, potassium, phosphorous, cobalt, iodine, etc. in the right proportion. Neal Kinsey's book Hands-on Agronomy states "Good soil structure which as 25% air, 25% water and 50% minerals and humus in essence is based on mineral building blocks." In some parts of Belize the soil lacks phosphorous in adequate amounts for plant growth; the sandy soils of the "pineridge" generally lack calcium. The first task of the farmer is to have a soil test done, then add the minerals missing in the soil. Minerals can be supplied by compost or commercial fertilizer or a combination of both. However, some forms of commercial fertilizers such as muriate of potash (potassium chloride) used in moderate to high rates on soybeans can kill the germinating seed. Some chemicals, such as glyphosate, used to "protect crops" can destroy soil.
• Nontoxic Produce a Reality for Belize Growers Band Together to Meet High Demand for Organic Produce: Consumers worldwide have become increasingly alarmed at the incidence of agrochemical poisons in their food because indications are that it is the cause of increases in cancer and other serious diseases. There are many people who simply don't want produce that has been exposed to agrochemicals or other environmental toxins and GMOs. Some people are turning to organically produced vegetables in Belize because they know that agrochemicals are often not safely used. Washing cannot make vegetables safe because some of the chemicals are inside the produce. Belize, unfortunately, is not yet sufficiently monitoring the safety of the vegetables in the markets. There is no mechanism to guarantee that the farmer harvests and sells according to safe guidelines. How are consumers to find a nontoxic solution? One of the best ways to assure that food is grown safely and organically is to grow your own.
• Ginger Up Your Flower Beds: The garden of my childhood hosted a multitude of colourful plants: roses, cornflowers, geraniums, gladiolus, sweet williams, lavendar, pansies, violets, phlox et al and my favourites were the sweet smelling ones that had nectar which could be sucked and petals that could be eaten. Today I choose to plant only edibles and steer clear of anything allergenic or potentially poisonous. I was therefore very pleased to find that most gingers fall into this realm. Turmeric, galangal, cardamom - all have beautiful flowers and foliage and have valued culinary uses. When I first encountered Zingibar Zerumbet I was awe-struck and simply had to have some. It was introduced to me as shampoo ginger. The act of squeezing the bulbous head and receiving a generous stream of exotically scented smooth liquid in the palm of my hand had me sold. I imagine this is how Paul Mitchell felt discovering the awapuhi in Hawaii, which led him to create his famous line of hair products. It is mostly grown as a prized ornamental but what a pleasant surprise to find how versatile it is: not only nourishing the hair and body but having nutritional value and medicinal properties.
• The Soils of Belize by District/Region:
• Growing Nutritious Foods: If you have seen The Other Side of the Fence, originally made as a short educational movie presented by Dr. William Albrecht many years ago at the University of Missouri, I think you will agree that Dr. Albercht's words of wisdom on food nutrient values hold true today. Most of the authorities of the time would not accept the idea that just because the crops being grown "looked good," it did not mean farmers and gardeners were growing nutritious food and feed. I have grown an organic garden in the same place since 1978 using no commercial pesticides and try to work from a safe, natural approach. If that means controlling weeds and grass with a hoe, to me that is better than trying to kill everything else along with the unwanted plants. I do not use commercial N-P-K products because there is no need to do so in order to maintain the levels of each nutrient needed in our garden.
• Getting to Know Humus: The term humus is not used on most soil audits, but there is the designation, organic matter percent. Humus and organic matter are often used interchangeably. Humus is made up of decomposed residues which have been completely broken down in the soil by microorganisms. The organic matter or humus terms notwithstanding, when talking about a longterm reservoir for nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron and zinc, I am not talking about undecomposed residues. This is referring to the humus (that is, completely decomposed organic residues) - without it, the reservoir function wouldn't happen. Why does humus hold nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and boron while clay does not? Because humus is "stronger" than clay. If you could take a handful of clay in one hand and a handful of humus in the other hand, and measure the nutrients, humus has three times the nutrient-holding ability of the clay.
• Drought Relief for Corn and Forages - Is Zinc the Answer?: Corn growers are aware perhaps more than most crop farmers about the value of supplying adequate zinc for the crop. Among other uses, zinc is known to be needed for moisture absorption in growing plants. That is, when you don't have enough zinc, it requires more water to grow the same amount of yield because water is lost due to the inability of the plants to take it up in time. One of the farmers attending our introductory workshop on soil fertility admitted he never had much faith in soil testing to help determine his fertilizer program. But he and all his neighbors had a persistent problem. They all had cows, and every summer during July and August the grass would quit growing and die back due to too little rainfall. When this happened, both he and the neighbors had to feed hay to the cows, and it would happen every summer without fail.
• BEL-CAR Makes Belize's 1st Bulk Corn Export: Belize's first bulk export of corn was made late in October of 2014, after Bel-Car signed a contract with a Trinidadian company for 2,800 Metric tons of corn. The cost of producing corn in Belize exceeds the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) prices. However, the Trinidadian buyer who purchased this corn paid more than the CBOT price as they realize that Belize's corn is of higher quality, which will more than compensate for the higher cost. The 2800 M T (equivalent to 124 of 50,000 lb container loads) shipped from the port of Big Creek in Southern Belize. Bel-Car brought their own portable augers for loading, and had 30 Spanish Lookout trucks delivering the corn from Spanish Lookout to the port on a 24 hour basis until the job was completed. Bel-Car's Paul Penner acknowledged, "loading a bulk vessel without the right equipment is a challenge. We managed to load it at that time. But in the future a better conveying system will need to put in place."
• Rice Production in Spanish Lookout: Spanish Lookout rice producers report that there is more than ample rice supplies for the coming year. Although it was a dry year for them, yields were considered average and similar to last year's. There was somewhat of an issue with the Spinki mite, because of the drought. The harvest of 190,000 bags of paddy rice produced roughly 139,785 milled bags (60%). Average yield was 2681 lbs/acre (milled). The rice acreage remains stable, and slowly farmers are converting to flooded or irrigated fields.
• Rabies - A Serious Consideration: On 28th September every year, the world unites in the fight against rabies by celebrating World Rabies Day, a day of activism and awareness. It is the global movement to put an end to the suffering caused by rabies. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) states, "Rabies kill around 70,000 people a year and more than 95 % of human cases are caused by bites from infected dogs." The last human case in Belize was in 1989 when two children died after playing with a dog and her puppies. Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals. The time period between contracting the disease and the start of symptoms in humans is usually one to three months; however, it can vary from less than one week to more than a year.
• BLPA UPDATE By Alistair Macpherson, CEO of the Belize Livestock Producers Association: Over the last couple of months there has been much going on within the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) and our industry, and for once all seems to be good news. The BLPA has embarked on producing a 10 year plan, a long term strategy with defined goals for ensuring the sustainability, growth and improvement of our industry at all l e v e l s . It is necessary to have this type of strategy in place when we talk to potential partner organisations who will provide technical and financial support for projects we may want to run in the future. Basically these donor organisations want to make sure that they are dealing with an organisation that "has a plan" and has certain administrative, financial and planning systems in place and has the capacity to run these projects whether it is a small artificial insemination (AI) project for farmer groups or running the Belize livestock registry (BLR).
• The Importance of Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen uptake or assimilation is essential to the survival, growth and reproduction of all plant species. In general, plant nitrogen requirements are met by root uptake and in some cases leaf and stem absorption of ammonia (NH3) and/or nitrate (NO3) forms of nitrogen. However, plants don't always get these forms of nitrogen they need directly due to the competition for ammonia and nitrate uptake with soil microorganisms, volatilization into the atmosphere and soil leaching. Conversely, soil ammonia levels are replenished via the process of ammonification or the breakdown/decomposition of nitrogen-containing plant and animal tissues. However, over the course of geologic time, nitrogen losses due to the combination of nitrification/denitrification by microorganisms have been significantly greater than nitrogen inputs due to ammonification, resulting in approximately 80 percent of the atmosphere consisting of dinitrogen (N2). Consequently, in the rooting zone of many soil-plant systems across the globe, nitrogen availability is often the most limiting factor in terms of overall plant growth and seed production.
• Growing Carob in Belize: Carob is actually a shrub, but usually considered to be a tree because it can grow to be fifty feet with a broad spreading canopy of dark green, glossy, leathery leaves. Although not well known in Belize, cultivation of carob has potential to be successfully grown here. The prevailing advice is: "anywhere citrus is grown, carob may be grown". Carob (Ceratunia siliqua), is a leguminous evergreen shrub/tree which is a member of the Fabaceae (pea or legume) family. The versatile trees are grown for their pods, seeds and wood, enjoyed as a showy ornamental shade trees, or pruned to form a dense screening hedge. Wood of the tree is hard and close-grained. It is prized for turnery (objects made on a lathe), furniture and cabinet wood. As a fuel it burns slowly and creates an excellent charcoal. Carob trees are fireresistant and are sometimes planted around homes in areas where there is a high risk for fires to help protect homes and property.
• Management System for Sugar Industry - A Giant Step Forward: Since its activation in 2009, the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) has made great strides in assisting the cane sugar farmers to improve the quality and quantity of sugar cane. But with over 5000 farmers, hundreds of thousands of acreage in two districts (Orange Walk and Corozal), 8 varieties of cane in commercial production, and only 4 technical field extension officers an obvious requirement was a management system. That need is being met with Sugar Industry Management Information System (SIMIS) under the leadership of Gregorio Canto. When operational, the system will be a comprehensive data base of sugar cane fields, indexed in detail by geographic location. The system will allow farmers and field extension officers to (1) monitor soil fertility, plant growth, pests, weeds and disease control, and water quality and drainage, (2) coordinate schedules for planting and harvesting, (3) assist farmers with record keeping, (4) identify common problems to be addressed, and (5) assess unique problems.
• Belize River Valley Ltd. (formerly Tennessee Farms) Hosts Discussion on Sustainable Farming Center for Belize in Burrell Boom: Belize River Valley, Ltd. (BRV) of Burrell Boom, Belize organized a meeting on January 9, 2015 to discuss various agro-ecological principles that could be applied in Belize.Over forty people from thirty different groups attended the meeting this morning. The featured speaker at the workshop was Dr. Miguel Altieri of the University of California Berkeley's agro-ecology program. Dr. Altieri provided an overview of the principles underlying agro-ecological development and presented numerous examples of sustainable farming practices that have endured since the dawn of agriculture. His worldwide involvement in assisting farmers allows him to share successes across many cultures. He showed amazing "before" and "after" pictures of projects in Peru, China, Cuba and Mexico with a special emphasis on 'chinamapas' used by Mayan cultures.
• School Gardens Ministry of Education (MOE) leads way to bring school gardens to Belize and Stann Creek Districts: Workshops were held for over 20 teachers in Belize City on 11 & 12 August, and similar workshops were held for over 20 teachers in Dangriga on 13 & 14 August to help them bring back garden-based learning to our Belizean classrooms. Approximately one half day was spent on each of 4 general subject areas: Administering a School Garden Program, Agricultural Practices, Hands-on Agriculture, and Integrating Garden-Based Learning into the curriculum. Yvonne Codd, Health and Nutrition Officer for MOE organized the workshops, and explained the history of school gardens in Belize, and some of the many benefits of gardenbased learning: improved nutrition, a teaching tool that can be used to improve the learning of science and other academic subjects, vocational education, life skills, and more.
• Dairy Products at Home, Making Cottage Cheese: This is the first in a series aimed at instructing readers in the simplest ways of processing dairy foods at home. Whether you are interested in keeping your own milking cow, or are able to procure fresh milk from a neighbor, you may be surprised how easy it is to produce your own yoghurt or cheeses. A theme of this series will be how to do these things in tropical weather without refrigeration, as many Belizeans do still live without electricity. Others living a more modern lifestyle may be glad to learn that it is possible to live without refrigeration even when using milk, the most perishable of foods. Thankfully, God designed cows to be milked every 12 hours. 12 hours is enough time for most of the cream to rise to the top of the milk container and in almost any weather the milk is still sweet after that long. Therefore, in general, you can have sweet milk to drink always on hand, if you milk your own cow. What about the milk that becomes sour?
• Turmeric - A Tasty, Beautiful Plant with a Powerhouse of Healing Properties: Turmeric is the root spice which is a main ingredient in curry and mustard. The plant is also a stunning, flowering, tropical delight in the garden. Turmeric has recently been 'rediscovered' as a plant with rhizomes with many healing properties. It is easy to grow, especially in the tropics. The entire plant is edible, from the leaves, which are used as a wrap for grains and vegetables, to the exotic, decorative white flowers and especially the yellow-orange rhizomes, which are enjoyed world-wide in South Asian and Indian cuisine. Turmeric rhizomes may be grated or chopped raw in salads, rice dishes or in curries and coconut sauces, or may be used in ground powdered form after being boiled, dried and ground. The taste is described as a subtly pungent, peppery, zesty flavour with warm, slightly bitter undertones and a mild pleasant fragrance. In addition to its culinary, medicinal and landscape attraction, turmeric is used as an ingredient in perfume and as a yarn and clothing dye.
• Raising Chickens - Naturally at New Life Farm: A colorful array of chickens roaming around a 15 acre field greeted us at New Life Farm when we visited there to see their portable chicken coops. We happened to arrive during the hour in the morning that the chickens are let out of their coops to supplement the grass available to them as the floor of their coops. They are also let out for an hour in late afternoon. When it's time to go back into their coops, Abel Garcia, who manages the operation, says he heads for a coop and all the chickens that belong in that coop run after him. Their in-coop organic diet, consisting of rain water and ground white corn, local grasses, various beans, rice, amaranth, and milo grown on the farm, mineral supplements, and weeds pulled from their gardens, was developed by Dr. Keller and his workers, Abel and Antonio Orsini.
• Belmopan 2014 Rain:
• : 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

The May 2015 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online.
Click HERE to download the PDF

This Issue's Stories:

• Tropical Agro-Forestry -- A Belize Bamboo Project: Bamboos are very well adapted to Belize growing conditions. These elegant plants thrive in many soils and bring a tropical look to any landscape. Over the years, we have introduced many varieties of useful and beautiful tropical clumping bamboos to our farm on tranquil Spanish Creek in the Belize District. This article is a summary of our progress to date. Our bamboo agro-forestry project began in January, 2005 when we purchased a second growth forested property of 1978 acres. Tropical Agro-Forestry, Ltd. was formed and we began to study our site. At the recommendation of the Belize Forestry Department, we started to work with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). BAHA officials began a pest risk analysis (PRA) to verify that the introduction of bamboo would pose no risk to other crops in Belize. After a year of research and site visit to south Florida to view bamboo plants there, the protocol for the importation of bamboo into Belize was developed. Bamboo plants from cuttings were started in our nursery in grow bags of native soil amended with rice hulls and compost. We planted our nursery starts in the field later that year on 50 acres on the forest edge. Our varieties are clumping types of Bambusa and Dendrocalamus species. We are currently introducing new and exciting varieties from south Florida. In a few years, we will also have young nursery plants available for sale or trade.
• Belize Ag Report Thankfully Enters 7th Year of Publishing�: fledgling edition, but it has. From a vague concept of providing information useful to producers, and thanks to the confidence of our advertisers and the growing cadre of passionate contributors, we have grown not only in size (24 pgs of issue #1, to 44 pgs of issue #28), but in focus and in geographical coverage. In this issue you will find 2014 crop data from Blue Creek (Mennonite) community (pg 36), as well as prices now delineated by location in Belize for several commodities. Thank you to all our writers, an expanding group of diverse talents, some one time writers, some regulars; we appreciate you all. You expose the variety of Belizean agriculture that is its signature. More binds us than divides us. Regarding the current rice importation/marketing debate unfolding, we should keep our eyes on food security via local production (pg 36). Together, the ag community has a tremendous lobbying power to help mold Belize's future. Opinions are always valued, welcomed and usually printed in our Letters to the Editor section. Discussion by sharing information is our goal.
• Is citrus a dying industry?: Dear Editor, As citrus production continues to fall in our country, 4 million boxes last year down from 7 million a few years ago, citrus growers need to ask themselves, "Why are we letting this happen?" We know the main reasons: low prices and Citrus Greening disease. Why are we doing nothing about it? Can we do anything about it, or are we doomed to lose our investments? Let's look at the reasons and determine if the inevitable can be avoided. 1. Low prices - The citrus processor paid growers last year $10.50 per box of fruit. Florida growers received $27 per box for the same quality. Florida growers spent $4,000. per acre in an attempt to keep their groves alive and producing until a solution to Citrus Greening is found. Even so, theirs is a stopgap measure as production has fallen from their 170 million boxes of a few years ago to the current forecast of below 100 million boxes. Without heavy inputs of foliar sprays and a heavy Psyllid (the bug that spreads Greening) control, they will soon have no industry. In Belize, our only cost saving versus Florida's is our cost of labor. Everything else costs more here. As our national average production in Belize is reputed to be 175 boxes per acre, a gross income of $1,750 per acre will not allow for sufficient inputs. We will and are, going out of business.
• State-of-the-Art Citrus Nursery: By Thomas E. Tate, Nursery Manager for Plant World Nursery, CGA. Who we are... Plant World Nursery was created to complement the existing nursery production capacity and ensure the availability of citrus plants in the quantity urgently required by the citrus industry to replant and replace uneconomic diseased trees, thereby lowering the Huanglongbing (HLB) innoculum in the industry. Plant World Nursery is a state-of-the-art nursery facility located on the Red Bank Road off the Southern Highway. It consists of four greenhouses totaling 3.6 acres of covered space. There are three nursery structures of about 1 acre each for the production of clean (disease-free) nursery plants. The other structure, covering about 0.2 acre, is used for budwood production. Plant World Nursery sits on 18 acres of land out of 100 acres available for nursery expansion or for the planting of fruit crops like citrus, soursop and pineapples that are processed at the citrus factory. In addition to direct support of the fruit juice industry, the nursery will also be able to produce other fruit trees for customers.
• Conquering the Silent Killer - The Pink Hibiscus MealyBug: Did you know that you could be harbouring thousands of pests in your backyard? And did you know that thousands if not millions of dollars can be lost because of it? The hibiscus plant serves as an aesthetic plant, decorating our beautiful yards, but at the same time serves as the perfect place for the silent killer to hide and survive. Since its detection in 1999, the silent killer has been largely ignored. The pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green), as it is widely known, has unnoticeably established itself throughout the country causing significant challenges to plant growth during dry conditions, especially impacting agriculture's stability and the livelihoods of many farmers. Mealybug infestations appear on a large number of host plants as a tiny, soft bodied insect that looks like a mass of cotton. Mealybugs are sucking insects that feed on sap of young tissues on plants by introducing its mouth part called a stylet. Through its feeding mechanism, the mealybug introduces toxic saliva inside the system of the host plant causing significant visual symptoms such as curling leaves, deformed fruits and flowers and stunted growth.
• Management of Soil Micro-organisms for Improving Organic Matter Levels in Belize: By Dr. Stephen Zitzer. Agricultural soils and undisturbed soils both consist of complex communities of living organisms. It would be foolish to lump all plowed fields and native soils together as just "plain dirt". However, all soils do fundamentally rely on similar groups of soil bacteria and fungi to consume and break down living and dead organic matter and mineral rocks into small mobile chemical forms of most elements that they contain. Among these decomposition products are the 16 essential elements plants require for growth that are in forms most plant species are capable of absorbing through root, stem and/or leaf surfaces. Besides conducting these critical chemical transformations, the life and death of trillions upon trillions of soil bacteria and fungi result in the development of soil structure. Soil structure, or really development of interconnected internal pore spaces, provides the microscopic infrastructure or plumbing that allows soils to breathe, eat, drink and grow. As soils age, a general measure of their growth is the amount of carbon they accumulate, most of it incorporated in living and dead organic matter or biomass. Associated with soil carbon accumulation is the accumulation of most of the soil nutrients required for plant growth and an overall increase in biodiversity.
• Update On Avian Influenza: By Dr. Miguel Depaz. Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral infection, primarily in avian species. Clinical signs range from inapparent in wild birds to a rapidly fatal condition in domestic poultry. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) requires notification of this disease once the subtype is H5 or H7 due to its zoonotic (affect humans) potential and the virus's ability to mutate into a highly pathogenic avian influenza which may cause high mortality in poultry and great economic loss. BAHA through its active surveillance for avian diseases detected, for the first time in Belize, Avian Influenza H5N2 on January 14th, 2015 at two poultry farms in Spanish Lookout, Cayo. The detection was confirmed by the OIE reference laboratory, The National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), USA. The two poultry farms were immediately placed under precautionary quarantine and the implementation of six checkpoints to control the movement of poultry and poultry products in the area was begun. BAHA has also increased surveillance in the area to determine the spread of the disease.
• Fabulous Forest Food: By Jenny Wildman. Twelve species of Chamaedora are reportedly found in the understory beneath the forest canopy of Belize. Three of these have value for cut leaves, the best known being Xate. As usual I search for plants that are edible and nutritious giving us interesting food alternatives. The Chamaedora tepejilote, date palm or Pacaya is an attractive ornamental palm but also produces a vegetable well known to many as chib. The tree thrives in shady locations and usually grows a single trunk reaching as high as twenty feet but there are also clumping varieties. The petiole has a prominent yellow stripe, the tree produces very showy decorative berries and the male and female flowers grow on separate trees. The stems can be used as heart of palm but the prize is in the male inflorescence which is the delicacy grown commercially in Guatemala and canned for export. The female flower is reportedly tastier than the male but not as readily available and reserved for special occasions in some places. The chib is mostly eaten fresh and planted in home gardens. It grows abundantly in Central America and has huge commercial potential. I found studies of production and forest management which say that by removing fifty per cent of the trees leaves the male plants produced twice as many inflorescence. Useful information if you decide to cultivate. The palms have great longevity so you can plan on harvesting for many years.
• The Soils of Belize by District/Region Northern Regions-continued: The Xaibe Plain land system extends across the southern border of the Corozal District into the Orange Walk District. The recent alluvium soils of the western Corozal District and contiguous northwestern Orange Walk District contain some swampy areas due to limited drainage across the Bravo Hills that originates from the land region. The dominant drainage course is in the Rio Bravo into the Rio Hondo. The only alluvium found is in large solution basins in the north, the Neustadt Swamps. This area is an open savannah plain and low marsh forest plain based on recent alluvium. Wetness, low nutrient availability, severe workability and root room limitations as well as anaerobic conditions preclude development and these soils are marginal to moderate in suitability for rice. Most of the better lands have been taken up by sugar cane production. Another feature of this area is the occurrence every few years of severe flooding which can last for weeks in some areas.
• CASSAVA - The Old Becomes New Again: By Beth Roberson. When CARICOM member states met in September 2014 to discuss regional agricultural policy and strategy, they assessed the region's food imports and made recommendations for production and trade opportunities in foods. They recognized that the Caribbean is heavily dependent on imported foods. With a population of 16M people in the 15 CARICOM countries, the annual food import bill is in excess of US$4 Billion. This figure has doubled in the last 10 years. Further, they recognized that often these imported (and often processed) foods also contribute to the increasing incidence of diet related diseases. Thus the CARICOM delegates have been seeking alternative commodities which can reduce the import bill and increase consumption of healthier alternatives. Cassava and sweet potato were identified as fitting the bill to remedy some of these issues. "Their analyses show that there is a huge untapped import-substitution market opportunity for flour, feed and beer (and possibly energy, if volumes permit) that can be addressed by utilization of cassava."* Belize we know has the conditions to grow good cassava. At this time there is one commercial cassava factory in Belize, Sabal Cassava Farm, at 3 � Miles Stann Creek Valley Rd, Stann Creek District. They have been growing mainly 2 varieties of cassava from the same germplasm for about 20 yrs; the white on about 12-15 acs, and the yellow, on about 3 acres, all close to the factory.
• Soil Analysis A Necessity for Good Crops: By Neal Kinsey. If it were possible to accomplish improvements in just one step considering all aspects of soil fertility and fertilization, where would be the place to begin? Many answers will likely come to mind depending on the past experience of each person. But all types of growers from farmers to gardeners should consider that without a proper foundation on which to build an excellent soil fertility program, it will not be possible to achieve the full range of benefits that could otherwise be available. Working with farmers and growers on fertility needs for all kinds of crops in all states of the US and many other countries, learning or obtaining the experience, knowledge and understanding concerning how excellent soil fertility works to benefit all crops has been most helpful. Taking a sufficient number of soil samples to show all those differences that can significantly affect crop quality and yield potential seems to be the most important step that is not normally taken seriously enough for the benefit of the land and those who live from it. If all of the soil in a field were alike, it would all look the same, feel the same and grow the very same way. But that is seldom the case. If the soil has any major differences in texture, color, or plant population - even different weed or grass/legume populations - chances are the fertility will be significantly and measurably different as shown by using a detailed soil analysis. For farmers, consultants and all others dealing with soil fertility and fertilization this should be the principal goal, to help each farmer learn how a detailed soil fertility program that accurately identifies crop needs can become most helpful.
• $12 Million Project to Boost Belize Forests : By Dottie Feucht. "We like our forests and waterways; we want them protected from illegal logging, runoff of agrochemicals upstream, and deforestation. We look forward to working together to achieve the goals." These were some of the comments of the citizens groups in response to the project plan presented by Tanya Santos Neal, project manager, and Eugene Waight, project officer, at the official launching of the project on March 25. Funded by the Global Environment Facility and administered by The World Bank, the five year project aims to manage and protect natural habitats of high conservation value, called Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), that total more than 500,000 acres including: 1. Fresh Water Creek Forest Reserve 2. Spanish Creek Wildlife Sanctuary 3. Vaca Forest Reserve 4. Chiquibul National Park 5. Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve 6. Columbia River Forest Reserve Mr. Enos Esikuri from the World Bank said that in other parts of the world Belize is known for its pristine forests and waterways. Indeed, Belize has the largest forest coverage in Central America but deforestation is alarming. In November, 1980 74% of Belize was forest; by June, 2014, that percentage dropped to 60.3%. The largest amount of the grant money has been allocated to sustainable forest management.
• BEL-CAR UPDATES: As usual, BEL-CAR is keeping up with the world, with their CEO Otto Friesen serving as an unofficial ambassador of our growing Belizean agricultural community. Otto and another traveled to Las Vegas, USA, to attend a conference for CICILS. "CICILS is the not-for-profit peak body for the whole global pulses industry value chain. As the sole international confederation for the industry, it enjoys membership from 18 national associations (federations) and over 600 private sector members in an industry worth over $100. Billion at the retail level and over 60 M tonnes in pulse production and distribution in over 55 countries."* CICILS is headquartered in Dubai. Corn - Last year's corn crop is diminishing nicely - enough for the local market and some sales to Guatemala (mainly for pig feed). The buyer of last fall's bulk corn shipment (see last issue #27, pg 16) is negotiating for another bulk load, but supplies do not warrant another bulk sale until the new crop arrives. Guyana's rice flood (flood of rice not water), now with a 2nd year of bumper rice crops, is still hampering Belize's corn sales (see issue 27, pg 16 and this issue, pg 36). Some in the Caribbean switch cheap rice for our premium corn. Beans - Currently there is a world shortage for black eye peas and black eye prices are up. This would put Belize in a good situation except for the quality this year. The harvesting was still going on at time of the interview for this article, as there was a 6 wk. time span planting. The quality of the first planting does not indicate it reaches world market standards.
• PUROXI: Hydrogen Peroxide Based Water Treatment Product Helps Protect and Increase Profits In All Types of Farming: About 3 yrs ago, Spanish Lookout poultry producer (broilers and layers), Dennis Dueck, heard about a water treatment product which helped farms obtain 'clean, clear nutritional water', and treated 'water as a nutrient' which would 'boost the immune system' of animals and at the same time 'helped reduce dependency on antibiotics' and even increase feed conversion rates. As this seemed almost too good to be true, Dennis followed up with more inquiries, then purchased a system and product. Eventually he became the country distributor for B.C. Canadian company, Puroxi Pure Water Global Inc. This led to the opportunity to expand distribution further into Latin America and the Caribbean. The home company has been in business for over 7 years, while the product is 17 years old. The company is now a leader in the water purification business. The science behind Puroxi Water is simply that it has found a way to stabilize hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and customize it with natural formulas which breaks down to oxygen and water once used. Viruses and many contaminants hate oxygen and/ or do not thrive in an oxygenated environment. Chlorine has been and is still commonly used in many industries as a disinfectant. Chlorine though, is very harsh, and actually some chlorine treated products, such as chicken meat cleaned with chlorine, are currently banned in the EU.
• Nutrient-Smart Agriculture Arrives in Belize, HarvestPlus Agronomists Explain Biofortification: The recently concluded Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) in Rome, Italy, identified nutrition-sensitive agriculture as one of the priorities in the quest to end global hunger and malnutrition by 2025. The conference outcome commits world leaders (attendant 170 countries) to establish national policies aimed at eradicating malnutrition and transforming food systems to make nutritious diets available to all. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) two billion people worldwide suffer from hidden hunger. Twothirds of all deaths, globally, are now diet-related (The Lancet, 2012). Global food systems are failing because they have neglected the most fundamental purpose of the agricultural systems- to nourish people. The global community is now calling on agriculture to respond to what the Copenhagen Consensus has twice in the past few years identified as the greatest challenge facing humankind - poor nutrition caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet on a warming planet. We need to re-envision agriculture as the primary source of sound nutrition through the food people harvest and eat. This is a radical concept in the true sense of the word - returning to the root or fundamental purpose of agriculture.
• Onion Research in Belize: In Belize, commercial onion (Allium cepa L.) production was started in 1988 through the efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). The objective was to promote diversification toward high income vegetable crops in the northern part of the country where most farmers were involved in sugarcane production. Because of falling sugar prices, the potential loss of preferential market and an ever increasing food importation bill, the ministry's plan was to increase locally produced crops. Onion research started with the establishment of onion variety plots in the Cayo and Orange Walk Districts. After eight years of field evaluation, the results indicated that the northern part of country was most favorable for onion production due to its agro-ecological conditions. As a result, today the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts are the major producers of onion followed by the Belize District. Only a few farmers grow onion in the Cayo District.
• ONION FIELD DAY in COROZAL: well-coordinated effort of Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) and their extension officers and Central Farm's Crop Research and Development Unit, was held in Corozal District on Wednesday 25, 2015. Presentations were made at each farm, by MNRA and the Research Unit, while visiting onion trials at the private farms of Mr. Donicio Che, Mr. Santiago Masariego, Mr. Romaldo Escamilla and the Little Belize (Mennonite) Community. There were different planting times for each farm, caused by inclement rainy weather having delayed optimum planting time. Optimum planting time for the short-day length onions in northern Belize is October or November. Most were planted much later for the 2014/2015 season, even into January of 2015. Several of the farms also had severe problems with downy mildew, Peronospora destructor, caused by the wet cool weather.
• Drop Into the Green - The Nohoch Ch'en Expedition: The seeds for the Nohoch Ch'en Expedition were planted years ago when Neil Rogers flew over the Chiquibul Forest and took the first images we had ever seen of the giant sinkhole. My husband, Jim Bevis, owner and operator of Mountain Equestrian Trails (MET), Cayo kept that photo above his desk for the next twenty odd years. This was one expedition he was determined to make happen. Jim approached Mr. Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD), for endorsement and to ensure that an expedition into this massive sinkhole would be beneficial to the development of the FCD Karst Management Program in this remote area of the Chiquibul. The answer was, "Let's do it." The purpose of the expedition would be to document one of the most remote, rugged and unexplored locations in Belize and to hopefully further justify to Belize and the world, the uniqueness and value of this region as a potential World Heritage site. The Nohoch Ch'en sinkhole, the largest of 49 collapsed doline formations that are located mostly over the Chiquibul Cave System, is located in an area where surface water is very scarce, making it challenging to explore for long periods of time. Very little scientific information was available for this region of the Chiquibul National Park, let alone the forest environment at the bottom of the 650' wide and 450' deep sinkhole. In the year 2000, several members of the Millennium Expedition descended by rope into the sinkhole and made brief observations, but time did not permit exploration and little data was collected, as this was not the main focus of their expedition.
• Agriculture: The Continuing Pillar of Our Economy: By Zeidi Bowman of Atlantic Bank. Agricultural exports have increased by 32% from $322.2 million in 2011 to $481.0 million in 2014, and accounted for up to 80% of total exports in 2014, despite declining total export levels over the same period ($680.9 million in 2011 - $602.9 million in 2014) caused mainly by decreasing exports of crude petroleum. The traditional sub-sectors including marine products, sugar, citrus, and bananas have maintained their stronghold, while other non-traditional exports like pepper sauces, citrus oil (orange and grapefruit), grains, corn meal, and others accounted for 15% of the agricultural exports. Non- traditional exports have increased by 53% from $47.8 million in 2011 to $73.0 million in 2014, showing the growth trend in the sub-sectors. These figures show that the agriculture sector continues to be of economic significance and is classified as one of the strongest economic pillars of the Belizean economy. As export earners as well as an import substitute, all agricultural products give Belize its sustainable economic strength and its status as a serious trading partner in the region. The agriculture sector's short and long-term prospects for Belizean prosperity continue as good and even better than they were in the era prior to oil exploration and exports.
• DOE and Renco Work Together Recycling Batteries: Lead acid battery recycling is one of the most successful recycling programs in the world. In the United States 99% of all battery lead was recycled between 2009 and 2013. The two components that make this product hazardous are lead and sulfuric acid. Some lead compounds are extremely toxic. Long-term exposure to even tiny amounts of these compounds can cause brain and kidney damage, hearing impairment, and learning problems in children. In Belize the Department of the Environment (DOE) along with Renco Battery launched a lead acid battery recycling program in 2004 and it functioned for only about 2 years. Now they are trying to resurrect the program and collaborate with other retailers and the public.
• Plastics to Oil : By Dottie Feucht. "Disposing of plastic is a global problem. Plastic comes from oil so why not convert it back to oil?" That's what Japanese engineer, Akinori Ito, thought as his team set about to develop a machine to do just that. Plastic does not have to be broken down; it is put into the machine "as is" from garbage bags. The machine melts the plastic which becomes liquid which is passed through water. The result? Same as refined oil from which the plastic was made. 1 kg plastic = 1 liter of oil that can be used as fuel. "Waste is a treasure," Mr. Ito emphasizes as he demonstrates his machines to school children who eagerly collect plastic waste for his machine. He estimates that this process, used globally, could reduce 80% of CO2 emissions.
• The Sugar Industry Management Information System (SIMIS): SIMIS, initiated at the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) headquarters in Buena Vista Village, Corozal District, currently holds one of the largest agriculture databases in Belize. It includes soils data from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), weather data, field data and pest (frog hopper) monitoring data. SIMIS is being developed as a collaborative effort among sugar industry stakeholders in northern Belize with funding from the European Union through the institutional strengthening project of SIRDI. Project implementation includes two phases Phase 1: � Development of a cane parcel database � Development of a farmer identification (ID) system � Establishment of a governance and management framework Phase 2: � Building of the SIMIS infrastructure � Development of a cane estimate process � Design and implementation of a harvest management system � Development of related proposals (Aerial, Photo etc.) Based on an estimate of approximately 79,000 acres of cane fields in the sugar belt, system personnel are currently conducting a sweep of the sugar belt to validate this data. Data collected and verified includes owner of cane fields, variety planted, age of cane, condition of cane field and a production estimate.
• Luciano Sho TCGA's Cacao Farmer of the Year: Based on his keen interest and support of Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA), high producer of quality cocoa with excellent flavor characteristic, being a good role model and giving back to his community, Luciano Sho was chosen the TCGA farmer of the year in 2014. He inherited his father's 3 acre farm and expanded it to 21 acres where he cultivates at least six thousand five hundred cacao trees including Criollo, Trinitario, and Forastero varieties. Having attended cacao growers seminars in other Central American countries Luciano has shared his new insights and helpful information with other TCGA farmers. As with many TCGA farmers, Luciano ferments and dries his beans on his farm before they are taken to the TCGA facility in San Antonio, Toledo. He ferments them in cascading special boxes 3.5 - 4 feet high and dries them on long tables under roof. Cacao beans are properly screened, bagged and sold in 125 pound bags with data identifying the farmer and dates of production. After arriving at the TCGA facility, the beans are tested for moisture and proper fermentation. Estevan Assi, TCGA's compliance officer, is in charge of quality control and generally oversees the operation ensuring that quality for the markets are met.
• Purple Corn Possibilities for More Than Ixpaxa and Tortillas: In August of 2014 the Belize Ag Report started a folder on purple corn, after noting the price for one pound on amazon.com - a stunning US$8.95. Eight months later, April 2015, the price from the same brand (barryfarm.com) on amazon has crept up to US$10.95/lb. The bulk (discounted) price on amazon from another supplier (Angelina's Gourmet Purple Corn): US$55.40/25 lbs, and hold onto your hat, Natural Traditions Corn Powder, Purple, retails on amazon for US$18.42/3.5 ounces. What is so special about this corn to merit these astounding prices? Is the purple corn of Belize equally special, with export potential? Many countries around the world - USA, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand are becoming interested in blue or purple corn varieties native to South and Central America, as they are unusually high in anthocyanin/ flabophen content, which is linked to anti-oxidant quality. In a trial at Ohio State University, Asst. Professor of Food Sciences Monica Giusti tested anthocyanins from different plant sources (including purple corn, grapes, radishes, chokeberries, bilberries, purple carrots and elderberries), to see how much of each source of anthocyanin it would take to reduce cancer growth (lab grown human colon cancer cells) by 50%.
• The IICA Focus in Belize: The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) is focused on 4 central themes: family farming, resilience and climate change, value chains and inclusion and food security. IICA Belize has been working diligently at ensuring that our efforts reflect the needs of the country, taking into account IICA's strengths, and the priorities identified in IICA's 2014-2018 Medium Term Plan. Our priorities for 2015 will focus on selected value chains, continuing our work in support of the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), launching new initiatives to support the cattle and processing sectors, and providing additional support to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture in rolling out the new National Agricultural and Food Policy.
• The Associates Degree in Applied Agriculture - A Competency-Based Approach to Agriculture Training at UBCF: Youth and Sports (MOEYS), the agriculture program at The University of Belize Central farm (UBCF) has undergone realignment to make it more demand-driven. This initiative, known as CARICOM Education for Employment (C-EFE), is funded by the Canadian government, partner colleges of western Canada namely, Lakeland, Parkland, and Bow Valley, and UB. It is designed to link education to employment in preparing graduates for the workplace. The new curriculum focuses on knowledge, skills, and attitude development with training expanded to include significant workplace practice. Students will be prepared for several career paths based on a recently conducted labor market survey undertaken by the college. Graduates of the new program are also eligible for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Science degree of the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the St. Augustine campus.
• BLPA'S AGM - A Rousing Success: An enthusiastic and positive group of approximately 80 ranchers from all over Belize converged at their headquarters at Mile 47 � George Price Hwy. on February 28th, for the AGM of the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA). Chairman Abdala Bedran opened the meeting with reports of a whopping 240% increase in cess collections, and healthy monthly accounting reports by Owen Codd. Chairman Bedran continued with good news for the Belizean cattle industry. BLPA has met with counterparts in Guatemala, the senior livestock officer for Peten and BLPA joined as a member and attended the meeting for Federaci�n Centroamericana del Sector C�rnico Bovino (Fecescabo) in Guatemala City. By aligning with Fecescabo, BLPA will enjoy their lobbying and marketing benefits. Beef prices here are almost the same as the rest of Central America. Fecescabo is working to harmonize phyto-sanitary and quality standards for our region. By becoming part of this Central American trading block, BLPA members will enjoy the same privileges. For example, if fellow member Nicagagua contracts to sell to the EU, Belize would be enabled for that as well.
• Seaweed: A Garden's Gift from the Sea: While at the beach several weeks ago, I watched as workers from one of the resorts raked the seaweed along the shoreline back into the sea. The sea, naturally, washed it right back up onto the beach. I knew that seaweed could be beneficial to the garden, so I asked one of the workers to bag me up some and I brought it home for my kitchen garden. I even suggested to him that he could probably make a business harvesting the seaweed and selling it to organic gardeners. He seemed to like that idea and said that many people from his village in the south knew about the benefits of using seaweed in their gardens. And, indeed, for thousands of years, seaweed has been used by coastal farmers in their gardens because it has a full range of properties to enhance the soil and benefit the plants. Seaweed supplies bulk material to condition the soil and it contains approximately 60 trace elements, as well as growth hormones and plant nutrients. It is anti-fungal and helps prevent many plant diseases. Imbalances in the soil, such as nitrogen deficiency, can be fixed by adding seaweed because it can balance the soil's environment so that nitrogen-fixing bacteria are encouraged. The sand and salt in the seaweed contain elements that actually benefit plants, so unless your soil already has a high sodium content there is no need to wash it before placing it around your plants.
• Young Botanists Learn About Plants at Caves Branch: are usually about 80 spikes," explained Marvin, staff member at Caves Branch, to the group of Standard 3 students from Valley of Peace School. He was describing the largest orchid in Caves Branch garden, the Shower of Gold (Oncidium sphacelatom). Incorporating math into their field trip, he asked the students to pick a number between 180 and 220; 211 was the choice. "OK, now, let's estimate how many blossoms this orchid may have this year. Let's multiply 211, the number of flowers each spike can produce, by 83, the approximate number of spikes." Wow! 17,513 blossoms! In the first year, 2011, there were 4,576; each year the number of blossoms has increased. In 2014 there were 13,652. through the activities; so all three groups estimated the number of blossoms. Staff members David and Sayuri taught the students how to take field notes the way botanists do when they find plants in their natural habitat. The students chose a plant and determined its type (epiphyte-grows on trees; lithophyte (grows on rocks; terrestrial (grows in soil), carefully measured the distance from the ground the plant grew, wrote down the exact GPS coordinates, and examined the plant to note its characteristics. Each group took an herbarium with proper instruction for preparing and caring for it.
• Developing the Rice Industry in Belize: Establishing a 'Culture of Rice': Commercial rice production in Belize has a relatively short history. Small farmers in the south produce rice; the larger mechanized Mennonite communities in the north and west produce most of the 21.6M pounds annual consumed in Belize. At a Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) policy meeting in December 2013, the moderator, then IICA Country Representative Dr. Muhammed Ibrahim was asked, "What does Guyana have {regarding rice production} that Belize does not have?" He did not hesitate to reply, "Guyana has a culture of rice." Years of raising a crop will eventually endow a farming populace with a "culture" of that crop. Until that time, the rice producers of Belize are doing their best to progress on that learning curve, while taking all the risks with which the agriculture sector is familiar, and of which the typical consumer is unaware. Look at last year's drought up north, which drastically reduced production up there and created a shortage for the domestic rice market. Prospective importer, Mr. Jack Charles of Extra House Imports, has requested, and been denied by MNRA, a permit to import 500,000 lbs of rice from Guyana. Guyana has had a bumper rice crop, and is doing all she can to export same, even to the point of disrupting a portion of Belize's corn exports for animal feed (corn being replaced with cheap rice in some feeds).
• Organic Produce Available in San Ignacio Market: There is now an easy way for consumers to purchase fresh organic produce at the San Ignacio Open Air Market on Saturday mornings. There is a growing customer base who have been pleased with the system of ordering fruits and vegetables by phone or e-mail and picking up and paying for produce from the SACOGA booth. To order produce for delivery to the San Ignacio Open Air Market on Saturdaym, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Abdias Mesh, 674- 8064. Once you are on the customer list, about midweek you will receive a message listing what produce is available and what the prices are. POB and SACOGA meet in the San Ignacio area once or twice a month. Meetings are open to all who want to support organics in Belize. Send a message to Pro-Organic Belize proorganicbelize@ gmail.com or call 677-9658.
• "Earth Day Endorsement for San Antonio, Cayo Organic Growers Association": Pro Organic Belize is pleased to announce the commencement of a formalized agreement between Pro Organic Belize and the farmers known as San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association (SACOGA) thus paving the way for full organic certification in the near future. Of special significance is the fact that the agreement occurred on Earth Day which is very appropriate as organic farming uses sustainable practices rather than destructive ones. Essentially this agreement comes from a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) which encompasses both these groups. All members of the PGS participate in an aspect of promoting organic practices, whether it be farming, or education. This agreement is an important step for Pro Organic Belize as a future organic certification body for locally grown and produced organic food in the Cayo District. All over the world the question is, Who's Your Farmer? Pro Organic Belize encourages you to know your farmer, know your food, and know your vendor. Personal relationships based on mutual agreement, and the integrity of those involved lead to a safer food supply for Belize. Pro Organic Belize is committed to a better informed public, and increased food security on a country wide basis.The signing of this agreement brings the nation of Belize one large step forward in the worldwide organic farming movement.
• Sub-surface drip irrigation (SDI) systems have bright future in helping feed growing world population.: Throughout the world currently, only about 6 percent of the land is under drip irrigation. John Vikupitz, president and CEO of Netafim USA, which sells SDI systems says, "This is sort of a bold statement, but we think flood irrigation will become a thing of the past throughout most of the world in the next 50 years. It's simply not a sustainable practice. We have too many people entering the world, too many hungry mouths to feed and not enough clean water to drink. We're undergoing a transformative time here where the convergence of environment, technology and culture are forcing change, and we intend to lead that change. It's not just about producing drip irrigation components; it's about teaching growers how to use them most effectively and how to maximize yields by using the least amount of water, the least amount of fertilizer, using the resources you have most efficiently."
• The Connection Between Central American Farmers and Deadlier Tornadoes in the U.S.: Scientists at the University of Iowa have recently published an article linking smoke from the burning of agricultural fields in Central America to more intense tornadoes in the US. Pablo Saide, post doctoral student at the University of Iowa and a coauthor of the study, said smoke drifting north from the Yucat�n peninsula, which includes parts of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, changed two key conditions for the 2011 tornadoes. First, it lowered the height of the cloud base, which dropped 650 feet. It also changed the wind shear, which is a variation in vertical wind speed. Both conditions intensify tornadoes. Tornado season in the United States has grown deadlier in recent years, and 2011 was one of the worst, spawning 1,691 twisters. "Even without the smoke drifting up north, there would still have been an unusual number of tornadoes in 2011, but we found the smoke changed the parameters," said Pablo Saide.
• : 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

The August 2015 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

The Perfect Design - Feathers In A Nutshell
I can still recall the first feather I held in my hands. I was 6 years old, walking down a dirt road with my grandfather when I spotted a feather, its vibrant blues and white reflecting the sun's rays. My new treasure was the tail feather of a blue jay. From that moment on I became one of millions around the world awestruck by birds and the incredible characteristic that grants them the freedom of flight: feathers. Feathers are the inspiration for fashion fabrics and accessories, for traditional, ceremonial or religious wear throughout the world, and for the beautiful, flamboyant costumes of Caribbean and Central American Carnivals. The beauty of feathers inspiring fashion designers drove several species almost to the brink of extinction. Feather colors vary from vibrant reds of a vermillion flycatcher, bright yellow and green on a displayed yellow-headed parrot to the bald head of a turkey vulture. Feathers on birds attract a mate, protect them from the sun, repel water and insulate them from the cold. They have the ability to keep harmful bacteria at bay, and most importantly are structurally crafted to give flight, allowing birds to inhabit every continent except Antarctica.

To The Editor
Featured in the full page ad supporting the use of genetically modified organism (GMO) seed that appeared in the Belize Ag Report, issue 27, paid for by the Belize Grain Growers Association (BGGA) was a statement that GMO technology is used to produce animal feed. We must not forget that people eat the animals that ingest the seeds that have been injected with poison. In addition, there are increasing numbers of farmers reporting better animal health with non-GMO feed. Cattle deaths due to digestive problems or pneumonia have been cut in half for farmers who have switched back to non-GMO feed. State-of-the-art technology is already here to provide plentiful healthy and nourishing food and soil, safe renewable energy, clean water, and safe medicine- without the use of petroleum-based chemicals, seed manipulation and patenting. The technology and science of permaculture, bio-mimicry, bio-char, composting, biodiversity, non-toxic weed/pest management practices, along with other technologies described under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the Farm Management Manual published by the Belize Ministry of Economic Development, are all designed to eliminate pollution, cost, and waste.

Winged Invasion
Middle of dry season, hot and dry as expected, but out of nowhere the heavens open and we are blessed with a shower. No matter how small, any amount of moisture at this time of year can trigger something fascinating�..Clouds of tiny insects emerge from the ground, and disperse everywhere, and I mean everywhere. These delicate, soft bodied insects are subterranean termites swarmers (Genus: Reticulitermes), or locally known as wood lice here in Belize. This phenomenon is seasonal in some parts of the world, but here in the tropics it is usually an environmentally triggered event, with frequency dependent on region, species and colony size. These clouds of insects fly aimlessly on wings much larger than their bodies and float where the wind takes them, like grains of pollen, with slightly more control. Their extra-large wings serve their purpose for gliding on the breeze, but then pose a problem. When a termite reproductive (aylate), finds that small crack in the soil, and try to squeeze in, this is where the mess begins. To better enable the termite to go in search for their new home underground, they shed their wings and start their own form of cave exploration, except this is for survival of the species, so it is serious business and this is where the persistence of these pesky critters comes into play.

Soil Profile
The soil profile is an important tool in farm management. A soil profile, can give valuable insight into soil texture and fertility which is very important in growing crops. This simple overlooked procedure can save a lot of problems by taking a peek on what is laying beneath the surface of the land. A soil profile is made up of distinct layers, known as horizons. The five most common horizons are collectively known as the master horizons. Scientists have developed methods to describe the various components and characteristics of the soil profile. By using common terminology, soil profile descriptions are valuable for deciding how the soil might be used and/or predicting how the soil might react to its intended use. Technical descriptions of the soil are not only useful for farmers, but for scientists, ecologists, soil engineers, hydrologists and land use planners. A soil horizon makes up a distinct layer of soil. The horizon runs roughly parallel to the soil surface and has different properties and characteristics than the adjacent layers above and below. The soil profile is a vertical section of the soil that depicts all of its horizons. The soil profile extends from the soil surface to the parent rock material.

The Emerging Roles of the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) and Sugar Industry Management Information System(SIMIS)
As Belize heads towards the direction of increasing and maximizing sugar cane production without clearing new land the need for plant nutrition turns out to be a key study factor. Plant nutrition is important because different sugar cane varieties, soils types and weather conditions dictate types of fertilizer to be used to increase production and at the same time lower the cost of production. The research department of SIRDI has embarked on a mission to use clean seeds to establish nurseries to introduce new varieties of sugar cane. It is also collecting soil samples to verify nutritional needs of the sugar cane, establishing baseline data of different varieties and establishing a seed bank of clean seeds. The extension department has been designed as a technology transfer section with its primary role to train stakeholders to improve cane yields, be more cost effective and increase net return to sugar cane farmers. Its main objective is to establish an efficient and effective field advisory service network throughout the northern sugar belt.

Energetic Agriculture - Soil, Carbon, And Microbes
The top 2 inches of soil is the source of all living things on planetEarth; it's where all the foods that sustain animal and human life come from. Over the last 50 years as we turned agriculture from being primarily based on biology to an industry based onchemistry, we have been steadily destroying our precious top soil. Soil begins with rock, sand, or river sediments and when mixed with organic matter becomessoil. It takes several hundreds of years to create soil but we can destroy it in 20 to 50 years with toxic chemicals and bad plowing methods. The good news is that humans can create soil inabout 3 to 5 years' time. Carbon and microbes work together. One needs the other. Good or healthy soil is about 50%solids and the other 50% is water and air. One very important fact is carbon can never be created or destroyed. It changes form. When weuse certain chemical fertilizers, or do bad plowing of our fields, we drive carbon out of the soil.

Oregano!
Pungent, balsamic, spicy, zesty, slightly bitter, aromatic, tasty and healing describes oregano, an ancient herb with many culinary and healing properties. Oregano, origanum vulgare, is a well-known common species of Origanum, a genus of the mint family. Grown as a hardy small shrub and considered to be a perennial herb, oregano grows to be anywhere from about two to over six feet tall. One bush goes a long way and will stay productive for at least three years or longer, then will reseed itself. Two varieties of oregano are grown and used in Belize. One is the familiar small medium grayish to green leaved kind, described above, which many associate with pizza and spaghetti sauce. The other variety, grown widely in Belize, known as 'Mexican oregano', has larger succulent, fuzzy, pale green leaves, and is actually not considered botanically to be a true oregano. Mexican oregano is a member of of the vervain family, Verbenceae. It grows easily and is used to add a hint of rosemary with a citrus accent and is used as a subsitute for epazote leaves.

Beyond The Backyard - Paternal Instinct
In March 2015 alone more than 100,000 visitors flocked to Washington State USA to see the Cherry Blossoms. They fly from around the world and join the feeding frenzy sucking up the sight of these marvelous trees. They marry under the confetti of petals, dancing and reveling in delight, taking shots with their i phones and sharing their joy on Facebook. In Belize there is a blossom that momentarily takes my breath away, as I am stunned by its beauty, every bit as impressive as the cherry blossom but with much more versatility. It has a fairly humble position as it is used mainly as a living fence and nicknamed "quick stick"as it is really that easy to grow in any type of soil. Its deep roots and quick growth make it a good windbreak. Gliricidia sepium is derived from the Latin meaning to kill a rat. Which is just one of its many uses. It is a good insect repellent and used on dogs and livestock for flees, ticks and scabies or to get rid of termites and bed bugs. There are many folkloric medicinal claims and known to be antipruitic, antioxidant, antifungal and antimicrobial. In Mexico there is a antibacterial soap made from the bark. It is also a leguminous nitrogen fixer suitable for alley cropping. Cut branches are then used for firewood and lumber.

Hugelkultur
Hugelkultur, pronounced hoo-gul-culture, is an ancient way of gardening or farming. Practiced for hundreds of years in Germany and Eastern Europe, hugelkultur is now receiving widespread attention and interest by farmers worldwide. The word hugelkultur is a German word meaning raised mounds or hill culture and is constructed on top of decaying wood debris and other compostable material. These growing mounds hold moisture, build fertility for the plants, maximize growing space, and provide nutritious soil for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs. They are particularly useful in places where water is scarce, allowing farmers and gardeners in the tropics to continue to grow during the dry season.

Food Safety Testing In Belize
The Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) is a food testing laboratory that operates under the Food Safety Services of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).It is housed at what was originally in the 1970's the Veterinary Laboratory of Belize City. While the archaic structure is where one would least expect to find the country's only official food testing laboratory, the work that takes place on these premises is of vital importance to Belize. For example, when a panic-stricken public needed answers during the "pink potato"scare it was in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory (CAL)that operates at CIL that the adulterant was identified as a food dye. CIL houses both the CAL, and the Food Microbiology Laboratory(FML). The FML is a biosafety level 2 laboratory that tests food products for pathogens that cause food borne illness such as Salmonellosis (from the Salmonella bacterium), Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio cholera; it also provides testing support to the Ministry of Health in outbreak scenarios. This laboratory had its origins in the Fisheries department, and was relocated to the BAHA facilities in order to support export certification of the fish and fishery products, and particularly aquaculture, after the founding of BAHA in the year 2000. Since that time the lab has expanded to encompass testing of other food matrices as well.

Considering Lime and its Use for the Best Crop Response
There is a book with my name on it called, Neal Kinsey's Hands-On Agronomy. And although it has been popular enough that several printings with numerous updates and small revisions have come out since the last major revisions in March, 2009, the profits from sales each month are not sufficient to pay even my telephone bill which is only a small part of monthly expenses. That is not meant as a complaint, but just to point out that making money by selling the book is not the big reason for its existence. It was written and intended to help farmers better understand the fertility issues of the soil. And also to help everyone concerned gain a better understanding about how and why the soil's fertility needs vary so much from one part of a field to another. And furthermore, to help explain how to correct the poor areas and improve the good areas in order to grow the best crops possible in each different soil. In the 2006 through 2013 printings of Hands-On Agronomy, page 64, the discussion of liming and pH begins. From that point in the chapter and on into the next, the explanation of the relationship between calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium and each one's influence on pH is discussed, with many examples provided along the way that are intended to help make the points become even clearer.

Soil Fertility Workshop at UB's College of Agriculture Declared a Resounding Success by Participants
Shortly after Neal Kinsey's articles started appearing in the August 2014 Belize Ag Report issue 26, growing numbers of readers opined that it would be beneficial to bring him to the University of Belize's College of Agriculture (UB CF) to present his introductory 3 day Albrecht-Kinsey Method Soil Fertility Course to Belizean students, teachers and farmers. This was realized at UB CF on May 11, 12 and 13th, 2015. About a third of the 65 participants were 2nd year students at the College of Agriculture or teaching staff from UB CF and other Institute for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (ITVET) schools in Belize.

Avian Influenza in Belize
Belize implemented its active surveillance programme for avian influenza (AI) in 1999 as a result of the high threat arising from the avian influenza H5N2 outbreaks which started in 1994 in the neighbouring country of Mexico. When Guatemala and El Salvador reported low pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 in 2000 and 2002, respectively, the active surveillance for avian influenza was strengthened. In 2009,through the implementation of the Belize Poultry Improvement Plan (BPIP), AI monitoring of chicken broiler and layer breeder flocks commenced with breeder flocks being tested three times in their lives. 2014 was no different from other years in avian AI surveillance activities including active and passive surveillance and monitoring of breeder flocks. All blood samples collected from active and passive surveillance for AI in 2014 tested negative. All blood samples collected under BPIP in 2014 also tested negative except for samples collected in Spanish Lookout, Cayo District from an 8000 chicken broiler breeder flock 39 weeks of age, in early December, 2014.

BEL-CAR Update Blackeye Peas (BE's)
Red Kidney Beans are now a part of the coop program at BEL- CAR along with corn and blackeye peas. That means the farmers who grow RK's receive equitable payments based on the prices BEL-CAR receives when they sell them. That will take care of the problems that arise when price fluctuations due to supply/demand variances in the market place result in different prices paid to farmers whose harvests and deliveries vary during the season. Blackeye peas are graded according to their quality which is determined by detailed export standards, including appearance (color, spots/markings caused by insects), moisture, and presence of non-BE beans, splits or foreign material, e.g., stones. Weather can adversely affect bean quality. For example, weather that is too dry during the growing season causes BE's to have a yellowish color; however, BE's should be harvested in dry weather (no rain the previous 2 weeks) to maximize quality. Spotting also comes from weather conditions; but weather is not the only factor affecting quality.

Soils Of Belize - Eastern OW District, Northern Belize District
My last article addressed the western/south western portion of the Orange Walk district. This article looks at the eastern portion of the district and its association with the northern part of the Belize District. The major agents of the formation of these soils are the two rivers - The New River in the north and the Belize River in the south that form these two associated drainage basins further south. The principal geophysical feature is the flat land intersperses with many large and small water bodies such as lagoons, lakes and ponds. These watersheds have substantial areas of marsh lands and swamps (peat) as well as areas that are old leached alluvial pine ridge soils as well as younger soils lying on top of limestone and further south lying on top of clay hard pans. Drainage is usually a problem causing anaerobic soil conditions. Anyone who has travelled the course of the New River readily appreciates the estuarine nature of the main course of the river as it passes east and then north into the Corozal District. The occasional top gallon floods expose the nature of the flood plains. The youngest soils near the permanent water courses are entisols or inceptisols with significant water regimes and so are called aquaent or aquaept.

Quality Planting Material from University of Belize
The University of Belize has established a commercial-scale plant micropropagation laboratory at its Central Farm campus. This much needed service has not been previously available in Belize but is now supplying Belize's agriculture sector with quality planting material. By using micropropagated plants farmers can produce better crops with higher yields. Belize's sugarcane industry has already begun using plants produced by the laboratory. Additionally, lab staff are developing procedures for producing citrus seedlings and technical support will soon be forthcoming for banana plantlet production. In addition to providing farmers with quality planting material this technology can be used to rapidly introduce new varieties into the country and distribute them to growers. It is also useful for providing farmers with large quantities of plants for use at a specific time of year permitting them to take greater advantage of weather patterns and market opportunities.

Homemade Health - Chronic Pain
Those who suffer from chronic pain related to the muscular-skeletal system will attest that it can be debilitating and miserable. One may think the pain is inescapable and relay on pain medication or resort to surgical intervention to escape. This article will introduce you to a revolutionary method that has worked for thousands of people. The cost to you will be about Bz $18, which is the cost of the book I recommend you purchase for complete step-by-step instructions. The caveat is that the responsibility for your health is on you. Only you can take the steps. No one can do it for you. However, the good news is that if you do it, you can enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle. If you're in a hurry, just go to Amazon to download the book, "Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain" by Pete Egoscue with Roger Gittines. You can download a free version of Kindle on your telephone or computer and start right now.

Belize Livestock Producers Association
How things change in such a short time! With the price of cattle reaching record level over the last couple of months and no downturn in prices likely in the foreseeable future. The public has been in uproar at having to pay high prices in the stores for ground meat and stewing beef. Farmers and processors are being accused of gouging the public and this is simply not true. Discussions on the TV and newspaper articles are fuelling this fire and while it understandable, there are many folk that are either not fully informed or misinformed. It would appear that there is a growing informal trade once again developing between Belize and Mexico with cattle being moved across the border at several points. However, these numbers are very small in comparison to what is being sold to Guatemala.

Jaguar Predation: Ranchers and Conservationists Strive Together for Answers Toledo's Ya'axche Hosts Experts from Panthera
There are no current estimates as to what the countrywide jaguar and puma losses to the livestock industry are, as many ranchers have been reluctant to discuss the predation issue. More information is needed on cat predation of livestock in Belize, to create the best strategies to minimize these losses. However, enough is already known to identify several predation hotspots, including the Belize River Valley area around Crooked Tree and rural Toledo District. The Belize Livestock Association (BLPA) will shortly begin coordination with the Belize Forestry Department and Panthera, the world leader in wild cat conservation, to include cat predation feedback in the cattle sweep surveys of ranchers. Not waiting for these in-depth particulars to begin assisting Belize's ranching sector, in June, Panthera sent their Brazilian based Jaguar/Cattle Conflict Director, Dr. Rafael Hoogesteijn, and locally based jaguar expert Dr. Rebecca Foster to meet with ranchers in both Toledo and Crooked Tree.

What Happens to Belize's Bananas and Sugar after 1st January 2017?
To have an appreciation for what is happening or will happen with Belize's sugar and bananas after 2017 it is important to understand a bit about the World Trade Organization (WTO), Common Agriculture Policy (CAPS), African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), Contonou Agreement, Everything But Arms (EBA) treaty, Doha Round and Bali Ministerial Declaration. International trade is a very complex business that has to do more with politics than actual trade. So that while governments never buy or sell agricultural produce themselves they have a tremendous impact on access, price, form and quantity of goods moved. In the case of Belize it is important to understand how these agreements, treaties and decisions affect our trade with the EU. While banana and sugar are the largest exports to the EU they are by no means the only ones. Citrus, Cacao and Marine Products are also on the list. The Cotonou Agreement is an agreement signed in 2000 between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Under Cotonou, ACP countries are exempted from paying tariffs for most of their agricultural primary exports to the EU. Most ACP countries also have special trade privileges under the Everything but Arms (EBA) treaty with the EU. Under this treaty all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have tariff-free access to Europe's markets for all their goods except arms.

Tilapia Hatchery Centre "UnBelizeable taste; I'm lovin' tilapia"
Almost two years after the first shovel of dirt was ceremoniously turned over at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Tilapia Hatchery Centre in Cayo, the grand opening was held on May 20th with over 100 people in attendance. Dignitaries included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) Hon. Gaspar Vega, Ambassador of R.O.C. (Taiwan) Mr. Benjamin Ho, MNRA Director of Extension Mr. Belarmino Esquivel, extension officers from the other districts and Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM)project personnel. With funding from the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF), the project is to remain under development and management by TTM until February 2017 at which time it will be turned over to Belize. TTM project manager is Mr. Luis Jou and MNRA project coordinator is Mr. Miguel Sosa. The primary objectives stated at the ground-breaking ceremony included producing one million high quality tilapia fingerlings to assist the development of small-scale tilapia farming operations in Belize. Although the 16 earthen ponds, 16 fingerlings concrete tanks and 12 nursery concrete tanks built at the hatchery over the past two years can handle 700,000 fingerlings, this first year production was 400,000,80 - 90% of which are being sold to farmers. The farmers in attendance were able to see the fingerlings as part of the tour of the facility.

Growing Jackfruit in Belize
Considering that the giant ripe fruits of the jackfruit tree range in size from 10 pounds to more than 70 pounds, this is one of the largest tree fruits on the planet. A large family or a small village may feast on a fruit of this enormous size! Jackfruit trees are reasonably well adapted to Belize growing conditions. They thrive in Belize's rainy wet season, but they are stressed and may defoliate in the dry season months. Over the years, we have introduced many seedling varieties of jackfruit, scientific name Artocarpus heterophyllus,family Moraceae, to our farm on Spanish Creek in the Belize District. This tree is closely related to the tropical breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis. Jackfruit is native to India and Malaysia and other areas of Southeast Asia in lowland tropical forests. The fruit has been carried by man throughout the tropics; it was introduced into Jamaica in 1783 and is commonly grown there, and its seeds have been planted throughout the tropical Americas. Tropical Agro-Forestry, Ltd. Is always in search of new fruit varieties for the forest edges and cultivated areas. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) determined that the introduction of jackfruit seed would pose no risk to other crops in Belize. Jackfruit plants from fresh seed sourced in Florida were planted in our nursery in grow bags of native soil amended with rice hulls and composted wood sawdust.

Cassava Value Chain Participants
From May 10 to 15, 2015 Ms. Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano, a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), visited Belize to conduct a survey on participants in the cassava value chain, focusing on the processing and marketing aspects. The objective of the survey was to understand the informal food systems, determine men's/women's participation and needs along the value chain, the main points of entry, road blocks and best practices to support women/men entrepreneurs and also to determine whether food safety guidelines are followed, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health. The survey was conducted as a series of visits to households, farms, women's groups, processor sand local markets, meetings with public and private stakeholders anda workshop where findings were shared with invited guests. Public and private stakeholders that participated in the survey were the District Agriculture and Cooperative Department, Ministry of Health Belize and Belmopan, Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET), Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), farmers, women's groups, processors, Belize Ag Report, the National Garifuna Council,Agriculture Research Unit and senior technical staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Corn Growth Stages
This identification system divides plant development into vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) stages. The (V) stages are designated numerically as V1, V2, V3, etc. through V(n)where (n) represents the number of leaves with visible collars. The first and last (V) stages are designated as VE (emergence)and VT (tasseling). The six reproductive stages are simply designated numerically. Vegetative and Reproductive Stages Each leaf stage is defined according to the uppermost leaf whose leaf collar is visible. Loss of the lower leaves will begin about V6 due to increased stalk size and nodal root growth. To determine the proper leaf stage after lower leaf loss, split the stalk lengthwise and inspect for inter node elongation. The first node above the first elongated inter node is generally the fifth leaf node. This fifth leaf node can be used as a reference point for counting the top leaf collar.

Adaptation of Soybeans to Belize
Soybeans, a major crop in Belize,come in hundreds of varieties. In1983 the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) began to evaluate a large number of soybean varieties in Belize. Seed samples of those varieties were acquired from international centres where the seeds were produced by using traditional breeding procedures. We were able to select a few varieties which were adaptable to Belize (not genetically modified and also not hybrid). CARDI released a number of varieties based on evaluation in Belize and produced annually a limited amount of seeds of those selected varieties. The major factor of adaptability was the amount of daylight in Belize. The soybean is sensitive to day-length (photo period).

Forests and Agriculture for Human Well-being
At approximately 60% intact forest, Belize has the highest rate of forest cover in Central America. Forty percent of these forests are protected under the National Protected Areas System (NPAS)(Cherrington, 2014). As a biodiversity hotspot, these forests provide habitat for over 100 globally-threatened species, including 4 critically endangered, 21 endangered and 30 vulnerable terrestrial species. With about half of the population residing in rural areas, many Belizeans depend on forests for livelihoods, including the provision of food such as game meat and freshwater fish, timber for housing and shelter and firewood for cooking. The forests' contribution to GDP and national development often go unnoticed. Apart from important ecosystem services such as climate regulation,protection from flooding and pests and disease mitigation, our national forests also provide a lifeline for human well-being: water. The Maya Mountains Massif, one of the country's Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) with intact forests, contains 14 watersheds which provide water to over 128 communities in Belize (including 18% of Belize's population along the Belize River watershed) and more than 180 communities in Guatemala, resulting in over 300 communities that depend on the forests of the Maya Mountains for water.

Coconut Production and Market Opportunities Formation of Stakeholders Platform Committee
Since the 1980's there has been a decline in coconut production worldwide including Belize, due mainly to the loss of international market resulting from the promotion of negative health impacts and problems from pests and diseases. However, the market situation has changed in recent years. Coconut and its derivatives are now regarded as being beneficial to human health and wellness. Between 2008 and 2014, there was a 700% increase in world demand for coconut products, especially green coconut water, milk, cold-pressed virgin oil, fibers and cosmetics. Belize and the other CARIFORUM countries are keen to meet some of those market demands. The European Union (EU) has contracted the International Trade Centre (ITC) to oversee the implementation of a 4 year, 3.5 Million Euro project for increasing coconut production in the CARIFORUM countries of Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) is partnering with ITC in these efforts.

Red Ring Disease in Coconuts
Coconuts are not just for shipwrecked island survivors any more. In the past five years,world demand for coconuts and coconut products has increased over 800%. Recent interest from the European Union to invest large amounts of grant money to help increase production to meet the world's increasing demand provides Belize with a great opportunity to expand its growing capacity and export what already grows naturally. Plans for a growers and processors association are already in the works, and one of the top priorities will be education about the world's most destructive wilt disease in coconuts: Red Ring disease. Red Ring disease is caused by the tiny Red Ring nematode(Bursaphelenchus cocophilus), first described on coconut palms in 1905. The vector of this nematode is the palm weevil(Rynchophorus palmarum), in whose gut the nematode resides until transmitted by feeding. The nematode causes serious damage to palms, which are stunted and eventually killed by nematode infection.

Fresh Organic Produce for the Cayo
Pro-Organic Belize (POB), a group of persons committed to sourcing healthy food in the Cayo district in Belize, have joined together with the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association (SACOGA) to form a successful buyers and organic growers organization. A transitional organic three-year contract has been signed by POB and SACOGA. Each week a list of available produce is sent to the list of customers. Once orders are received, produce is packaged and delivered to the San Ignacio Saturday open air market for customers to pick-up from 7:30 - 10:30 am. Produce from the weekly harvest is also available for sale from the SACOGA booth. The customer base is 50 and growing with orders from around Belize. A popular addition to the weekly produce is the addition of freshly grown organic sprouts. Despite a spate of bad weather the farmers are rallying to keep their customers satisfied with organically grown produce. POB is introducing a labelling system with the San Ignacio market vendors to help buyers know which produce is imported with agro-chemicals, grown in Belize or grown in Belize organically.

Maya Forest Garden - Agave
What may look like a wild jungle is really a welcoming garden,one made by the ancient Maya. Maya gardeners chose and tend plants that are useful. Their forest gardens are a 2,000-year-old gift, but a living gift that we must care for, use and learn about, and share. I have worked with traditional Maya forest gardeners over the past four decades and will share a story of plants of the Maya forest garden. This article on the Henequen (Agave four croydes) is the first of a planned series of articles on Maya forest plants. The Maya relied heavily, both directly and indirectly, on plants and trees of the bush - for food, water, medicine, tools, cultural rituals, and clothing. The Henequen, also spelled Henequin and Heniquen,is a native cactus of the Maya forest here in Belize as well as Mexico and Guatemala. It can be found among monocot shrubs(leaves with parallel veins and flowers arranged in threes). It is reportedly naturalized in Italy, Canary Islands, Costa Rica,Cuba, Hispaniola, Cayman Islands and the Lesser Antilles. The Henequen leaves yield a fiber which was used by the Maya for producing rope, handbags, gunny sacks, hammocks, and other useful products that are completely biodegradable.

National Agriculture Trade Show 2015
The fairgrounds in Belmopan came alive from May 1st to 3 rd with over 40,000 attendees at the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS), the single largest event in Belize. The main objective of NATS is to educate the public on the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the Belizean economy and food security. It is an annual event sponsored by the National Agriculture and Trade Show staff in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA). The first NATS fair was held in 1937, and has steadily grown since. Starting in 1970 the annual event has been held in Belmopan. The venue now covers over sixty acres. The theme of the 2015 NATS fair was "Stimulating prosperity in agriculture and food production through renewed public-private partnership." The 2015 NATS fair was expanded to include participants from other countries in Central America who were invited to attend and become involved.

Ag Briefs
Joe L Friesen Brahman Breeding Stock Auction, will be held on Sept 5, 2015 at Joe Friesen Jr's Iguana Creek Farm. For details see ad. Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) will hold their Annual Organic Fair on Friday Oct 30 and Saturday Oct 31, 2015. For further information, contact SHI as per their advertisement. Spanish Lookout's 4th Bi-annual Commercial and Industrial Expo is scheduled for Friday Feb 26 and Saturday Feb 27, 2016 at Countryside Park,Spanish Lkt. Information: [email protected]

Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected in Southern Belize
These activities are important to ensure that the outbreak iscontained and that the Medflies are eradicated quickly. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) hereby informs the public, especially in Southern Belize, that the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (or Medfly) has been detected in the village of Hopkins in the Stann Creek District and in the Sapodilla Cayes in the Toledo District. As a result of these detections, eradication activities such as fruit stripping, ground spraying, and delimitation trapping are underway in these areas.

Issue #30 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!

Homemade Health - Essential Oils
Last summer I had the privilege of staying with a friend who is particularly gifted in the nursing healing arts and complementary therapies. I know a little about aromatherapy but she practices it every day. Her favorite method is to add essential oils to coconut oil (cold-pressed) and use it for massage oil. I found her massage oil to be very helpful for swollen joints, so much so that I became intrigued and decided to learn more. Pure essential oils have been pressed or distilled from the leaves, bark, roots, and other aromatic portions of a plant, yielding highly concentrated compounds. What I didn't realize is that they can be used with therapeutic benefit for a great number of illnesses and diseases. Digging deeper I learned that essential oils are used for not only treatment of stress and anxiety; they are being used with success in the treatment of cancer, pain, and for many other problems. Here are a few significant findings. *"Cancer starts when the DNA code within the cell's nucleus becomes corrupted," says Immunologist Mahmoud Suhail. It seems some essential oils have a re-set function, correcting the DNA code.

To The Editor
Did you know that minimum wage in Mexico is close to 1/3 of minimum wage in Belize? This fact is the key to understanding the challenges that farmers face in Belize. Imported produce grown more cheaply in countries with a lower minimum wage competes unfairly with produce grown locally. Farmers in Belize suffer the same consequence in competition with imports from Mexico. The great appeal of agro-chemical farming is largely due to the savings in labour. Farmers can simply spray rather than pay more workers to do the job by hand. In this way they can somewhat compete in both the world and local market by cutting the cost of production. This is where local organic farmers peel away the endemic veneer of false economy that oppresses growers the world over. The organic farmer uses labour rather than cheap agro-chemicals, which are specifically priced to target and entice farmers according to their local economy, making "agri-business" chemical farming the most economical choice. These chemicals, and the corporations that produce them, most often have their roots in chemical warfare applications from way back in the 1940's. As wartime dissipated in the 1950's and 60's these corporations had to find new applications for their products, and locked on to food production as a more stable market, introducing everything from preservatives to chemical farming applications, and everything in between, in the process of profit. Now we can rarely read a food label that does not contain unpronounceable ingredients about which we have little information, and no education. So how does all this affect our local market here in Belize? Belizean farmers must compete directly with the cost of Mexican imported produce, which is generally as much as 70% cheaper, and represents approximately 50% or more of the fresh fruit and vegetables in the fresh food open air markets in Belize.

Stormy Weather
Where were you late afternoon on 28 September? Do you know the reason for that tremendous thunder storm that dumped 55 mm (over 2 inches) of rain in just 45 minutes around Belmopan? Don Thompson's Weather Analysis web site, www.weathertricity.blogspot.com, explains that the earth was hit by an intense burst of radiation from the sun. Belize was on the outer edge of this strike. The graphic on his web site shows the extent of the hit; South America was hit the hardest although it extended west to Africa and north to the Caribbean. He further explained, "There was a high pressure ridge down the east coast of the Yucatan into Central America. It looks like a line of cells got trapped under the ridge. The one over northern Belize at 5PM local, suddenly exploded and within minutes became a violent thunderstorm directly over Belmopan. The city power was interrupted 3 times. By 8 PM the whole storm system was gone.

Young Grove Management Under Huanglongbing (HLB) Scenario In Belize
The challenge facing citrus growers today is how to bring into production young citrus trees under the heavy infestation of Huanglongbing (HLB) and Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). As infected orchards become unproductive, the decision to replace them with new ones is challenging. It is now six years since HLB was detected in Belize and there is an accumulated experience with the disease. The following are important guide lines on how to protect the new groves and minimize the infection rate with HLB. The first priority for citrus growers is to join the coordinated Area-wide Integrated Management System (AIMS) to suppress the Asian citrus psyllid population. A combined effort by everyone is more effective than individual control at the farm level. Participating in AIMS ensures the use of selected insecticides which are applied in March/April and October/November within a three week interval by all citrus growers to suppress the population of the psyllid throughout the industry. This will help to reduce the psyllid population to a low level and in the long term will allow new plantings to come into production and thus maintain low incidence of HLB. The second guideline is high density plantings: a higher number of plants per acre in the first four years. This will contribute significantly to early accumulated yields, reduce the time for recovery of investment and reduce the rate of infection.

Corn That Says "No" To GMO
In the modern world where large agriculture companies are gaining ground with GM (genetically modified) corn seeds, non-GM growers have been in an increasingly difficult situation from GM pollen drift. This pollen can drift over four miles in the wind and once it lands in a non-GM field, that corn becomes tainted with the GM variety. Once contaminated, the farmer typically gets a lower price, and for specialty food grade and organic corn the price can be as little as half what it would have been. However, one bright spot is that a few plant breeders have found a way to develop non-GM corn varieties that "say no" to the GM pollen when it comes blowing its way. Blue River Hybrids in Ames, Iowa U.S.A., is the leading company that offers this type of seed, known as PuraMaize, for Midwest U.S. farmers. Blue River describes PuraMaize as a natural gene system which impedes pollination from GMO traited and blue corn pollen. It is naturally bred into Blue River corn hybrids, giving organic farmers a powerful tool to combat contamination from neighboring fields. Corn hybrids that contain the PuraMaize gene complex have the ability to recognize and favor pollen that also contains the PuraMaize gene complex. During pollination, the pollen grains move down the silk channel trying to fertilize the potential kernel. A PuraMaize corn plant will quickly accept like pollen from other PuraMaize plants and slow the pollen of a foreign plant, like GMO or blue corn. The foreign pollen can't win the race down the silk channel and is unable to contaminate the PuraMaize plant.

Energetic Agriculture - Pesticides & Healthy Crops
Late last year a farmer from Blue Creek in Orange Walk asked me how to effectively deal with aphids and mites in his crops. This was a hard question to answer. It took me several months of research to find the answer. The answer is so simple it spins the mind. I knew part of the problem, but not the entire solution. From my previous research and 3 years of experiments, nutrition appeared to be part of the cause of this pest problem for farmers. I had also known that nitrogen was also part of the problem. Nitrogen in two forms is used in agriculture - ammonia and nitrate depending upon the stage of growth of the plant. All plants need nitrogen for their development but a major problem in agriculture is the mind-set of farmers. If a crop needs say 100 lbs./acre of ammonia, most farmers will put more than 100 lbs. because they believe that more is better. Biology, chemistry and physics are precise. Nitrogen should not be needed in quantities of more than 40 lbs./acre for corn crops in Belize if the other minerals are in balance.

Soil Inoculants - Nutrient Uptake, Water Use, Disease Resistance
Understanding soil biology is important for keeping agricultural systems healthy and productive. Living soil is complex and includes creatures that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa and nematodes, as well as familiar creatures such as insects and earthworms. One teaspoon of a healthy soil can contain billions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. This community of organisms is bound together in a food web that affects the chemical and physical properties of soils. We care about these properties because they also affect plant growth and health. Practices such as adding manures or composts to soil, planting cover crops and rotating crops are all aimed at rebuilding and maintaining soil organic matter, recycling and retaining nutrients, and controlling soil disease and pest levels. These practices are usually associated with increased beneficial soil microbial diversity and abundance. While there are examples of soil inoculants that successfully improve plant growth and crop yields (Table 1), their commercial production and use are still in their infancy. The success of a particular inoculant depends on direct and indirect effects on the desired plant species and interactions of the inoculants with the entire exiting soil biota land. Variation in soil physical and chemical properties, such as texture and acidity, also affect the success of inoculants.

Beyond The Backyard - Tropical Pioneers
Two trees that could be confused at a distance and have a lot in common are the trumpet tree and the balsa tree. Both arrived in my garden uninvited but the more I study them my respect increases.They are both fast growing indigenous jungle plants that play a very important role in the eco system. Cecropia named after the mythical first king of Athens Cecrops may have about 25 species in Belize of the family Urticaceae. Perhaps the most common is Cecropia peltata called the umbrella tree, embauba, trumpet tree, guarmo, yarumo and kooche as it is everywhere you look. It has been a seriously studied jungle weed due to its interdependency with biting Azteca ants who colonize its hollow stalks and feed exclusively on the muellerian food it provides. In Central America the leaves are also important food to howler monkeys, tapir, deer, sloths, birds,and bats plus a nesting place for chachalacas and an egg depository for the Cecropian Orion or stinking leaf wing butterfly. When the leaves are salted cattle will eat with gusto.

Why Sulfur?
Although elements, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, usually referred to as NPK, are the major considerations for fertile soil by farmers, sulfur should be considered the fourth major nutrient in terms of the amount required. Most crops use between 40 to 90% as much sulfur as phosphate. Corn, sorghum and rice use around 35% as much sulfur as phosphate; citrus and sugarcane, about 50%, but cabbage and onions, 90 to 110%. There is a difference between sulfur and sulfate. Sulfur is an element, S; sulfate is sulfur combined with oxygen, SO4. When you compare phosphate, P2O5, with sulfur you should use the sulfate form of the element to obtain an accurate comparison. Although soils are tested for the elements, it is the sulfate form broken down in the soil that the plant uses. And the higher the phosphate level the more sulfur is needed because phosphate is more stable than sulfate in soil; it doesn't leach away as sulfate does and is more readily absorbed.

The Soils Of Belize By District/Region - The Belize District - East To West
My last article introduced the soils of the Belize District along and from the sea coast. This article is a further exploration of these soils extending westwards into the Cayo District as these soils are related to the course of the main agents of formation, the southern Belize and Sibun Rivers. We go from swamps to elevations of about 200 ft that have been formed by the Belize River in the north and the Sibun River, including the Caves Branch tributary, in the south. A major characteristic is the presence of relatively large and minor lagoons, creeks and streams. As the elevation rises the containing lowland pine ridge gives way to broken ridges interspersed with areas of broadleaf forest on undulating lands going to the west. Phosphorous is generally deficient. These soils of the lower Belize River Valley, on the eastern seaboard, are mangrove swamps and do not have a true coastline. The soils are mucky and in many areas are impacted by a high water table that has saline intrusions.

Both Soils & Crops Need Boron
More often than not, the soils we receive to be analyzed for growing all types of crops are deficient in several micronutrients, but the one that requires constant vigilance to assure the greatest success is boron. Like nitrogen and sulfur, boron can be leached from the soil. So just as is true concerning sulfur, it is necessary to test for boron content and generally expect it to be required to correct the soil accordingly from year to year. Although it should be, boron is not usually considered as a necessary addition for growing most crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, vegetables and even pasture. Without adequate boron more nitrogen is needed in order to produce the same amount of growth. Consequently, it needs to be present in sufficient amounts as plants begin to grow and throughout the growing season. Apply boron to your land based on need as established by a reliable soil test, not by guessing whether it is or is not needed.

The Tropic Rice Part Of "Rice And Beans"
The seeds of the rice plant are the grain that we eat in our rice and beans meal. Like most grains, the seeds have to be threshed to remove the hulls. In the old days this was done by swathing or bundling the stalks together and beating them in troughs manually. But not in Spanish Lookout where Tropic Rice uses the latest technology to mill rice. Paddy rice, as the grain coming to the mill is called, has to have only 12 - 13% moisture for milling. Sample paddy rice is tested for moisture and quality; the price to the farmer depends on both. The first stop in the mill is a holding bin. The rice is unloaded and from there it goes through a pre-cleaner, and then to a paddy husker where the rice husks are removed and discarded. Next is the paddy separator, which removes the kernels that didn't husk from the brown rice. Rice to be made into white rice then goes through an abrasive whitener that removes the bran from off the kernel, after which it enters the polisher where the rice is brought to its natural whiteness using clean water and gently rubbing the kernels. Brown rice bypasses the whitening and polishing processes.

Silicon's Role In Rice Production
Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element of the Earth's crust after oxygen. It has long been neglected by ecologists, as it is not considered an essential nutrient for plants. However, research in recent years shows that it is beneficial for the growth of many plants, including important crops such as rice, wheat and barley. For instance, Si enhanced the resistance against pests, pathogens and abiotic stresses such as salts, drought and storms. Silicon might, thus, play a crucial role in the development of sustainable rice production systems with lower or zero input of harmful pesticides. Researchers from the interdisciplinary LEGATO project on sustainable rice production looked in more detail at the cycle of plant-available Si in contrasting regions of Vietnam and the Philippines to provide insights on the importance of this element in rice production.

Bird Watch - From My Perch
Chiquibul Adventures - Watershed Awareness, Solitaire Canyon River Expedition. With the aim of further exploring and understanding the Chiquibul National Park, the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and Mountain Equestrian Trails (MET) completed another exploratory expedition on an un-explored river in the western jungles of the park during the month of August. Jim Bevis shares the essence of the team's experience: We entered the crystal clear river with inflatable kayaks at a remote location on the western base of the Maya Mountain Massif. The purpose of the expedition was to explore the downstream and photograph points of interest in the 14 miles stretch for a period of five days. Soon after casting off from the north side of the river, we entered a rugged and beautiful steep walled limestone canyon, where in places the swift and turbulent floodwaters of many millennia had cut deep and smooth into the polished limestone walls. The upper part of this river was somewhat shallow in places and much of the first day was spent dragging our kayaks through and over basketball-sized "boulder gardens" to the next pool of deep water.

Reminiscing With Joe Friesen Sr., Cattleman Par Excellence
Of all the families who moved to Belize from Chihuahua, Mexico in 1958 one of the largest families was the Peter Friesen family. Joe, who is the second oldest of 11 children was 6 years old when his family moved from Manitoba, Canada to Mexico and 16 when they moved to Spanish Lookout.As a pioneer in the developing country Joe's father, Peter Friesen,did lathe work and made his own machinery for whatever he needed. They settled in Spanish Lookout on lands along the Belize River. At the time, it was in bush with many cohune trees and much bamboo. Rather than bring cattle from the 7,000 ft elevation area they left in Mexico, they purchased Brahman-type cattle from local sources, such as Eduardo Juan, Trinidad Juan, Negroman {Ranch} and the Delafuentes. Beginning in 1964, Joe began marketing cattle, a trade he would carry on for over 40 years until 2004, when he would turn things over to his sons. In the mid 60's, Joe sold 2 head per week, from his farm and from others in Spanish Lookout, for which the farmers received 11 cents/lb live wt for good cows, and 14 cents/lb live wt for the best steers - all local type Brahman.

What Do ppm & ppb Quantities Really Mean?
Descriptions of minute quantities, parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb), can be difficult to grasp. How can we practically relate to one part per million or one part per billion? One ppm is one part per 1,000,000, equivalent to one drop of substance diluted into 50 liters. In an analogy to time, one ppm is equivalent to 32 seconds of one year. One ppb is one part per 1,000,000,000, equivalent to one drop of substance diluted into 250 fifty-five gallon (200 l) drums - that is one drop into 13,750 gallons! In time, that would be 3 seconds out of a century. Many common synthetic-based pesticides' Maximum Contamination Levels (MCL) are figured in single digits of parts per billion, ppb, which hints at their intense toxicities. Synthetic poisons are much more concentrated than "botanical" poisons (those derived from natural botanical substances). Charles Walters points out: "� it would take a tractor-trailer load of botanicals to disturb, say, a water main, whereas a quart of Paraquat would do maximum damage."

The Southern Pine Beetle Is Speaking To Us!
You would think that as an environmental advisor to the United Nations I would be a better steward of our planet, but alas I grew up in Texas where tree huggers are hard to find and in only the past ten years have I lightened my footprint on the world. No matter where you stand on global warming, you have to admit the planet is heating up. Whether this is a cycle in our globe's very long history, which has become very warm and very cold many times, or this is the last big heat up created by man's ignorance to his surroundings, I will leave to each of our readers. I will probably get a sigh of relief from many of you when I tell you this article is not about melting glaciers, but something much smaller�..The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis). Dark brown to black in color, and approximately 1/8th inch long with a unique rounded rear end, the SPB belongs to the largest order of insects, Coleoptera, and family Scolytidae. It has a life cycle of 35-60 days; that's six generations per year capability and has increased with the temperature. In natural forest situations, pine beetles prepare the way for ecological succession by selectively removing mature, stressed or damaged pines. Consequently pine beetle infestations often begin on damaged trees, but the beetles quickly reproduce and move to other surrounding trees. As beetles bore into bark, the tree tries to protect itself by exuding pitch, resulting in the formation of characteristic pitch tubes. Weakened trees may not be able to produce sufficient pitch flow to prevent colonization and when beetle populations are high, the number of beetles attacking trees may be so large that even healthy trees cannot withstand infestation.

Lemon Grass
The typical variety of lemon grass grown in Belize, Cymbopogan citratus, is commonly known as "fever grass" as a traditional remedy to reduce and alleviate symptoms of fever. Lemon grass is a perennial plant that grows in large clusters of long thin green leaves and produces a pleasant lemony, citrus aroma when crushed. It has a slightly pungent, but delicate lemony flavor with undertones of mint and ginger to season food, especially tea, soups, curries and salads. Stalks and bulbs of the plant are commonly used as an ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine. As a gardening aid in tropical gardens it is used as a companion plant. Many Belizeans have lemon grass plants growing as an attractive decorative and useful plant in their home gardens. There are more than fifty varieties of lemon grass; not all are used for culinary, medicinal or agricultural purposes. Lemon grass is indigenous to India and tropical regions of the Asian continent, including Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. It is also commonly grown and used in Central America, Java, Madagascar, China, West Indian islands and Zambia and other warm tropical climates. It grows year-round in all tropical countries and can successfully be grown indoors in cold climates. Mature plants resemble common field or "cattle grass" and generally grow from about two to four feet in height. Plants do not flower or produce seeds; they are propagated with portions of the root of the plant. Once established, lemon grass usually grows wild via underground rhizomes. It is an easy plant to grow and requires little care beyond a sunny location and watering in the dry season.

Dairy Products At Home: Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheese
The cheeses for this cheese-making workshop are mozzarella and ricotta. These are cheeses presumably invented in Italy but now prized all over the world, the second being a byproduct of the first. Mozzarella is the gooey topping for lasagna, pizza, and other Italian dishes which everyone likes so much. Here in Central America, mozzarella makes itself at home on enchiladas or quesadillas, with its famous melting quality. It's not easy to fit into a new culture, but if we were all so friendly and likable, sacrificing ourselves for the benefit of others, it would be much easier, more like� melted cheese. Here is a simplified recipe which has evolved in my kitchen through the natural selection of shortcuts inherent to that environment. Recipes generally call to acidify sweet milk with citric acid, but milk that is naturally sour needs no acidification, so I just use a blend of sweet and sour milk. It may be whole or skimmed, or some of each. To make hard cheeses, you will need rennet, which can be purchased in liquid form from Western Dairies in Spanish Lookout. To make it easier to measure small amounts, I put mine in a dropper bottle. You need � tsp to 4 gallons of milk, or 6 drops to a gallon. Stir in the rennet and let the milk set. In less than an hour, your milk will curdle, or become a solid rather than a liquid. The curd is ready to cut when you can cut into it with a knife and it makes a 'clean break', being of cutting rather than pudding consistency.

World Food Day At Mopan Technical High School In Benque Viejo
World Food Day was organized in 1979 and promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to combat poverty and eradicate hunger world-wide; it is now observed in almost every country of the world. October 16, 2015 was the date of forums held and attended by millions of people around the globe. Belize held the event one week later on October 23, 2015. The theme of the 2015 World Food Day was: "Soil Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty". Mopan Technical High School provided the venue and it was a showcase for the teachers and students of the school who provided tours of their healthy gardens and gave vibrant seedling plants to all who visited their booth.

Pro-Organic Belize On The Grow!
The seeds for Pro-Organic Belize (POB) group were planted at a symposium "Sourcing Healthy Food in Cayo" which was held at Maya Mountain Lodge in November 2014. Following this well-attended event, POB paired up with the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association (SACOGA) to cultivate a growing relationship with the goal of having organic produce for sale at the San Ignacio open air market on Saturday mornings starting in December 2014. SACOGA now has a permanent booth at the market, run by Abdias Mesh, the founder and director of SACOGA and takes orders for fresh organic produce each week for pick-up on Saturday morning (see ad below). POB and SACOGA have developed a participatory guarantee system (PGS) of organic certification which is based on that of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM). The mission statement of POB is "To support and promote the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association and other organic initiatives in Belize."

Ag Briefs
Neal Kinsey will return to Belize to again deliver his Introductory Soil Fertility Course on February 8th, 9th ,10th, 2016 at UB Central Farm. There may be a soybean field day after the course. Second Annual Christmas Plant Sale to benefit the Belmopan Humane Society. Saturday December 5 -Blue Moon Restaurant @the roundabout in Bmp. 10am-4pm. For Sale: plants & cuttings, poinsettias, palm trees, Christmas decor. Enter the raffle to win a completely decorated tree ready to plug in and light up your home or business! Worms that eat styrofoam: A Beihang University professor and his doctoral student, and a Stanford University professor co-authored a study, just published in Environmental Science and Technology, showing that mealworms, the larval form of the darkling beetle, can digest Styrofoam and produce a biodegradable waste. What do you do when the supply of bananas exceeds the demand and the price to the grower gets reduced too low to pay laborers in the harvest period? Look for alternative ways to industrialize the raw material! How about banana flour? The initiative to produce banana flour is still in its experimental stage in Paraguay.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #31 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.

To The Editor
Dear Editor, My understanding of the recent evolution or revolution in agriculture in terms of crop selection and production methods is that since the beginning of the 20th century they have become almost entirely dependent on the use of non-sustainable methods and materials while nutritional quality has decreased. Generally, significant changes began occurring with the introduction of mechanized farm machinery and the wide spread use of synthetic fertilizers, especially nitrogen, during the first green revolution. The next readily recognizable phase included the introduction of a vast array of synthetic compounds designed to control animal, plant and microbial pests or conversely to alter the physiology of crops to suit marketing and consumer demands. Moving ahead to the present decade, the most significant change in agriculture is the widespread use of genetically engineered or modified organisms.

MNRA Horticulture Center Vegetable Research and Demonstration
The Horticulture Demonstration and Training Center was established by the Republic of China - Taiwan TechnicalMission in the late 90's and then transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture in 2012. The horticulture program is now a part of the Crop Research and Development Unit at the Research, Development and Innovation Center in Central Farm, Cayo District. The program is primarily involved in the evaluation, demonstration and training of open field vegetable and exotic fruit tree production.The Ministry of Agriculture annual work plan is developed in accordance with the National Agriculture and Food Policy of Belize - 2015 to 2030 which has as the main objective "to provide an environment that is conducive to increasing production and productivity, promoting investment, and encouraging private sector involvement in agribusiness enterprises in a manner that ensures competitiveness, quality production, trade and sustainability".

Green Bananas - A Neglected Food
Next time you visit the market put some green bananas in your basket. This amazing but neglected food is the cheapest and tastiest starch source around. Green bananas used to be commonly eaten in Belize: boiled, fried or part of stews. Green bananas contain as many minerals, especially potassium and magnesium, vitamins and fibre as the ripe fruit. The current price is around 3lbs (8-10 fingers) for $1.00, cheaper than plantains and potatoes and having more flavor. Much of this fruit is thrown away as rejects yet is available for only the cost of transportation. Our culinary artists and home cooks should take a second look at this food apart from the "boil-up" where it is most commonly seen.

High Density Planting In Orange Groves For Belize
Plagued with the dreaded Huanglongbing (HLB) formerly known as Citrus Greening, we must venture into unconventional production methods to increase yields. High density planting has been the norm in many citrus producing countries including Brazil and the Unites States (Florida and Texas). High density planting is the production of citrus with more trees per acre than the conventional number. In Belize, the conventional planting spacing is 15 feet in rows and 25 feet between rows which totals 116 trees per acre. Before venturing into high density planting, several important factors must be considered: the types of rootstocks and scions to be used, soil type, yield performance, nutritional demand of the rootstocks and spacing.

Trapping the Mischievous Palm Weevil to Prevent Red Ring Disease in Your Coconut Grove
In the last issue of the Belize Ag Report (issue # 29 pg 37) Forrest Tackitt wrote about Red Ring Disease in coconuts. The vector for this disease which affects coconut and African oil palms, with up to 80% mortality, is the palm weevil (Rynchophoruspalmarum). This large red snout beetle is native all the way from Mexico through South America and resides in some parts of the Caribbean as well. The nematode (Bursaphelenchus cocophilus) which is the direct cause of Red Ring Disease, is carried in the gut of this palm weevil. San Miguel learned a successful technique to trap this beetle vector from the staff of Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. INIFAP is the research arm of Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA).

Beekeeping in Belize Cayo Quality Honey Producers Cooperative
The first beekeepers in Belize were the ancient Maya. They kept stingless bees, Melipona beecheii, in hives made from hollowed out logs. The entrance hole was made midway between the two ends and the ends were sealed with clay. Honey was harvested one to three times a year: in March, April and in a good year, in December as well. Large apiaries existed in Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo and honey was one of the chief exports of the Maya state of Chactumal in northern Belize. Beekeeping with stingless bees continued until the mid 20th century but today only a few hives remain and the population of wild stingless bees is threatened by development. Beekeeping with Apismelifera began in the Corozal District in 1957 when Tony Espat and Hernan Urbina brought beekeepers from the Yucatan. Several colonies were established at Central Farm as well, but these soon died due to a lack of knowledge in beekeeping. By December 1958 there were 958 colonies in Corozal and Orange Walk Districts and fifteen drums of honey were exported that year.

Beyond The Backyard - A Leaf From My Recipe Book
Eating from the wild can create an unexpected culinary masterpiece or become a recipe for disaster. It is important to have sufficient information. Knowing something to be edible is not enough to prevent you from harm. Knowledge of content and preparation is essential. My daughter-in-law decorated our dinner plates with the wonderful heart shaped leaves of the taro plant commonly called elephant ears placed under some delicious stewed chicken. Whilst scooping up the juices my son popped the leaf in his mouth chewed it up and moments later was gasping for water and on the verge of a trip to the emergency room even though that would have meant thirty miles of rough roads at night. These plants have saponins that instantly inflame the mouth and throat causing chronic itching. He survived the experience and a lesson was learned.

Watershed Management: A Tool for Sustainable Development
As the population of Belize continues to grow the demand for use of the natural resources will continue to rise. Human beings are completely dependent on the environment for survival. The land produces the food we eat, the forests provide the water we drink and the shelter we need. It is an unending struggle to balance economic development with the protection of the environment, also known as sustainable development. In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It is not an end but rather a process for meeting human development goals while maintaining the ability of the earth's natural systems to provide in perpetuity, the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend.

Soils of Belize - The Southern Cayo and Stann Creek Districts
My last article left us on the limestone foothills of the Cayo District with its lower alluvial areas created by the Belize River. The southern flank of the George Price Highway is a karst (limestone based) landscape with many limestone hills starting to give way to granitic hills and mountains further south. Further east, to the coast, we begin to see deposits of granitic sand and the first occurrence of a true coastline with sandy beaches that extend down to the Placencia Peninsula. My last article left us on the limestone foothills of the Cayo District with its lower alluvial areas created by the Belize River. The southern flank of the George Price Highway is a karst (limestone based) landscape with many limestone hills starting to give way to granitic hills and mountains further south. Further east, to the coast, we begin to see deposits of granitic sand and the first occurrence of a true coastline with sandy beaches that extend down to the Placencia Peninsula.

BEL-CAR Updates - Changing Times Invite Changes to the Belize Commodity Market
After a less than normal corn harvest caused by the summer drought (see national loss estimates in Ag Briefs, pg, Bel-Car reports that corn inventories are still more than adequate for domestic needs, although leaving little export surplus. Several farmers then planned to plant during the fall, normally a bean-planting time. However, the overabundant fall rains prevented many from following through on that plan. Due to the long-lasting rains most had to revert to the normal beans winter cycle, as they have a shorter growing period than corn. Quite a bit of RK beans and BE (black eye) peas are in the fields now. Last year was a record bean crop, with high acreages and high yields. Belize exported twice the amount of beans in 2015 than in 2014. About 50 containers (50k lbs per) remain. There is a challenge to find new markets, as price decreases faster than quality.

Waste Management in Belize
Our Mayan Mountains are a beautiful sight to behold, but if we are not careful we will have other mountains made out of waste material. Are you aware of the "mountains" of plastic floating in the Gulf of Mexico? Last estimates compare it to the size of Texas (30 times the size of Belize), and there is one in the Pacific that is twice that size. I admit that I am terrible at recycling; I burn my garbage, and, yes, that sometimes includes plastic, but it is time for a change. If all of us in Belize concentrate on recycling only the easiest items, paper, plastic, glass and aluminium, we would help keep our country clean and have a tremendous effect on our planet at the same time. I was clueless about recycling facilities in Belize until my last trip to Xunantunich; I almost ran off the road looking at that big Solid Waste sign along George Price Highway. Now, after my first transfer station experience, and a meeting with Mr. Emmerson Garcia at the Waste Management Office, I am much better informed and wish to share this information, and encourage you into some much needed recycling and possibly a good house cleaning.

Magnesium, an Essential Nutrient for Better Soil Fertility
There are some important foundational principles for understanding and utilizing magnesium to achieve excellent soil fertility. It is important to correctly use this nutrient in terms of soil fertility for the most positive effect on crops and the greatest benefit to the soil where those plants will be grown. The overall concept hearkens back to the definition in agronomy textbooks concerning what makes up an ideal soil. That ideal soil is described as 25% air, 25% water, 45% mineral and 5% organic matter. Most soils fall short of the ideal in some way. Clay soils are generally too tight, and due to a lack of calcium (which can be true even on high pH soils), they contain inadequate pore space resulting in too much water and not enough air for the ideal soil environment. Such soils tend to stay wet longer and become harder to work as they dry out. Sandy soils tend to have the opposite problem - too much air and not enough water - but they will still pack down and become hard when worked too wet, especially so when magnesium levels are excessive.

BLPA News
Ever wonder how much longer the Cattle Sweep has to go before Belize can be declared free of tuberculosis? Here's your answer: the cattle industry still has 2 long years to go before being declared free of tuberculosis. If you raise cattle you have seen teams visit your farm and get blood samples to see if your cattle are free from disease, especially tuberculosis and brucellosis, 2 of the most common diseases in cattle (that can even affect humans once contracted). Why is it important to test? Without testing of animals Belize cannot declare the country free of disease which means we cannot export to any other country. What happens if you don't test? It means that you put your cattle and the rest of the country's animals at risk and you can also be fined by relevant authorities for not complying.

Sam Vigue Discusses Low Input Farming with Pro-Organic Belize
Sam Vigue is an American agronomist who works as a seed research specialist in Austin, Texas. He visited Belize in 2015 and returned in 2016. During the latter visit, he attended Pro-Organic Belize's January meeting to discuss seeds and low input farming principles. Sam defines low input farming as using better farming systems, wherein a farmer is less reliant on external inputs for planting, growing or harvesting crops. He claims that when seeking self-sufficiency in farming, it all starts with seeds and soil. Healthy soil works like preventative medicine. Having all the nutrients is key. Foliar fertilizer, in his view, will not work as well as maintaining the soil as a storehouse of nutrients for the plant. One of the best ways to get those into the soil, is using compost. Then the nutrients need to be available to the roots so they reach the plant from the soil.

Saving Heritage Seeds in Belize - David Johansen's Seed Garden and Vault
Since age twelve David Johansen has had an avid interest in seeds and farming; he has lived and farmed in Colorado, Utah, Missouri, and California. Having traveled widely in Belize and Central America to procure hardy, tolerant seeds adapted to the challenging growing conditions in Belize, David developed his 35 acre farm and seed bank over the past eight years in the Spanish Lookout area with great success. He has many crops growing abundantly to full maturity in order for him to harvest seeds to sell locally and fulfill orders for Belizean grown seeds from US seed companies. In order to preserve the seeds in cool temperature, low humidity conditions, David designed and constructed a climate-controlled underground depository cement vault which can store hundreds of jars of seeds. His seeds have been meticulously catalogued. Keeping seeds beneath the earth helps to keep the seeds viable for sprouting. David is working on a dehumidification system to ensure the proper dryness.

Dairy Products At Home - Hard Cheeses
In the final installment of our dairy workshop, we look at hard cheese, which is made using rennet as a coagulant. The title of this article is "Hard Cheeses" because all the hard cheeses in your urban deli are made in basically the same way, with only slight variations of temperature, time lapses, or aging times. Unique varieties have developed in various parts of the world due to the unique bacteria and climatic conditions in each place. You can try to reproduce cheese by ordering freeze dried bacteria from a catalog, or you can develop your own cheese unique to your locale - or rather cheeses, for each one will have its own unique "personality". The first rule of cheese making should be this: There is no such thing as a flop; there are only new types of cheese. If you followed my mozzarella procedure in the last issue, you have a good start at making rennet cheese. Start with sweet milk (slightly sour also works), adding 1⁄4 tsp of liquid rennet to 4 gallons of milk, or 6 drops per gallon. Use clean, stainless steel containers and utensils to lessen the chance of strange bacteria entering it.

Surviving Climate Change
Climate change is the biggest challenge to agriculture in the twenty-first century. The past year 2015 was the hottest year in recorded modern history. Whether you agree that this elevation in temperature is man-assisted or a natural phenomenon, it is a fact to be understood and dealt with for long term agricultural production. For small farmers to survive climate change, methods of farming must be adjusted to reduce crop loss and ensure profitability at harvest. Small farmers have an advantage in adapting to the changing weather patterns. This is good news as 84% of the world's food production comes from small farmers cultivating less than 5 acres. Modern day climate change challenging the small farmer is characterized by massive flooding (too much water), extensive droughts (no water), accompanied by widespread fires (in many places though not Belize at this time) resulting in unpredictable and incomprehensible changing weather patterns.

Life Everlasting Plant
The succulent herb Kalanchoe pinnatum, sometimes called Bryophyllum pinnatum, has many common names: life everlasting, miracle leaf, cathedral bells, wonder plant, never die, leaf of life, sprouting leaf, resurrection plant, mother of millions, and many other names. It is a member of the Crassulaceae plant family. Native to Madagascar, it grows prolifically in Belize and other tropical regions of the world. The plant grows easily and although it is valued as an ornamental garden plant, it is considered an invasive species in some areas. Life everlasting is believed to be a panacea for many ailments. It is rich in over two dozen healing chemical compounds, including, alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and lipids. Life everlasting plants are perennial and grow to be about three to five feet in height with fleshy green leaves from two to four inches long which may be tinged with pinkish to purple on the scalloped outer leaves. Plants produce clusters of showy hollow tubular flowers, about one inch long on tall panicles with a pale pinkish to purple tinge at the base of each blossom.

Pro-Organic Belize Seeks Pesticide Residue Tests for Local Produce, Visits BAHA's Chemical Analysis Laboratory
On 25 January 2016, a group from Cayo's Pro-Organic Belize visited Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) in Belize City. We met with Laboratory Administrator/Deputy Director of Food Safety Dr. Natalie Gibson and her head chemist for the Chemical Analysis Laboratory (CAL) to tour the recently renovated laboratory facility and discuss the pesticide testing capabilities of their laboratory for both public and private needs. The CAL is located in the BAHA complex located on St. Joseph Street in Belize City, with the sample storage and preparation rooms separated from the sample analysis rooms. Sample processing will be greatly improved by the acquisition of two new processing machines. The sample analysis rooms contain several gas chromatographs, heavy metal analysis equipment, supplies and computers. This equipment is capable of detecting quantitative amounts (in parts per million or ppm) of specific molecules used to identify specific pesticides.

Planting & Harvesting Beans - The Mayan Way
Beans have always been a staple for the Mayas. They have a large variety of beans: Boloc' che, Tzama (red & black) variety, Xchalaatbu-ul, Xme-hen bu-ul, and Xpascuabu-ul. They eat beans almost daily with rice and tortillas. Their diet is also complemented with cowpeas which are planted during the months of June and July to be eaten starting in late October for the observance of All Saints Day or Finados. Local lima beans are also cultivated for the preparation of the special Mayan dish called Xtoc sel. Many of the Mayan beans are large with a thicker skin and have much more "bean" pulp than the typical black or red beans grown in Belize. (See issue 15, page 18 of the Belize Ag Report for a more complete description of Mayan beans.) If you want to grow and harvest beans the way the Mayas did and many still do, here's what you should know:

Mopan Technical and Vocational High School Agriculture Program
Mopan Technical and Vocational High School in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo District, the agriculture science program offers students sound practical hands-on courses designed to prepare students for a career in agriculture. In addition to animal husbandry skills, the program focuses on teaching students how to manage soil and organic matter, sow seeds, tend plants and harvest in the fields and in green houses. The program also includes courses in the sciences and finances, complementing the field work, to round out skills needed to successfully manage a farm or teach agriculture. In order to graduate, students must pass the Caribbean Examinations Council (CEC) Agriculture Science exam. Mr. Francisco Tun, principal of the high school has a commitment to prepare students for careers in agriculture which will help support food security in Belize. The agriculture program is managed by Mr. Kendall Mendez, who has been instrumental in the development and success of the vocational agriculture department of the school for over thirty years.

Ask Rubber Boots
After a long hibernation, Rubber Boots returns with a few suggestions for bio-friendly plagacides (new word for pest controls). Do pesky drunken baymen (Trigona, the largest genus of sting-less bees) gather around your hummingbird feeder? Try a few dabs of coconut oil on the feeder and see the drunken baymen disperse. Fruit flies (drysophila) in your kitchen? Put a few small dishes with a small amount of real vanilla extract out; that is what commercial produce departments of grocery stores do (or used to do in the days of yore) to encourage them to simply go away. Bugs eating your beans? Sometimes this is a sign of low magnesium. Try spraying with epsom salts, 1 Tbs per gallon (5 lbs per acre). Even if your soil has good Mg Levels, it may be 'tied up' and unavailable to the plants (Thank you, Neal Kinsey).

Ag Briefs
In a December 2015 session of the National Assembly of Venezuela, what has been called "one of the most progressive seed laws in the world" was passed, and soon after signed into law by outgoing President Nicolas Maduro. This very comprehensive piece of legislation is not only anti-GMO, but anti-patenting of seeds too. The law also regulates the production of hybrid seed, rejects the production, distribution and importation of GMO seed, and bans transgenic (GMO/GE) seed research in the country. At least one grower in Belize has been producing Sea Island Cotton in Northern Belize for several years, for buyers in Japan. In recognition that Belize has the capacity to produce very high quality cotton for export, Japan made a grant of $102,029.00USD in mid-February to the cotton industry in Belize.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #32 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

Deforestation in Belize: Why Does the Agriculture Sector Need Standing Forests?
Belize has lost more than 770,000 acres of forest since 1980, which is almost equivalent to the area of the entire Belize District. According to a report published by CATHALAC (Spanish acronym for Humid Tropics Water Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Panama), between 1980 and 2010 approximately 25,000 acres (more than 7 times the area of Belize City) of forests were cleared every year in Belize. According to another study produced by Belizean expert Emil Cherrington, in 2013, 33,000 acres of forest were lost in the Jewel, and in 2014 that number rose to 36,000 acres, which shows an increase in the deforestation rate. That trend has continued during the last 2years. CATHALAC and University of�

To the Editor
Dear Editor, We felt to express our deep appreciation that Belize has not been accepting genetically modified (GMO) crops into the country. We understand that through modern biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are being created that may use animal, virus, or bacteria genes to alter DNA or genetic material in vegetables and other things. These alterations are impossible to achieve from natural pollination or crop breeding, and must be produced in sophisticated genetic laboratories. The resulting "organisms" are then patentable property of the large corporations creating them. Someone has coined a thought provoking an alternative term for GMO: "God move over". In other words, do humans consider themselves wiser than our all-wise omnipotent Creator? Are human beings better able and�

Green Banana Recipe Competition
Green Banana Recipe Winners! In our February Belize Ag Report (issue #31), writer Harold Vernon challenged readers to enter original recipes using green bananas in a contest. Harold's plea for Belizeans to eat this very neglected, nutritious, tasty and cheap starch source stimulated some excellent recipe entries. Below find the winning recipes. More recipes are included in our online version. The contest winners for the most original and best tasting recipes are Miss Paige Dietrich of Unitedville, Cayo District, and Mrs. Deborah Harder of Upper Barton Creek, Cayo District, Youth and Adult categories, respectively. Each receives a $50.00 prize. Thank you, Sally Thackery, Belize Ag Test Kitchen Supervisor and kudos to Harold Vernon for your instigation and prize donation. Thank�

Restoration of the San Ignacio Town Clock
Working on various community projects focused on refurbishing the San Ignacio Police Station in 2014, I became curious as to why the San Ignacio Town Clock wasn't working. I recalled that when I emigrated to San Ignacio in 1982 that it did work. I began to ask citizens why the clock wasn't working. Many said they didn't know or cited its age as the probable cause. Unsatisfied and more curious than ever, I finally got some information from "Jr" Simmons, owner of the venerable Hy-Et Hotel, on the corner of West Street and Bullet Tree Road. He said that the clock and four or five others just like it were gifts from Great Britain to the soldiers of British Honduras,�

Update on the Sugar Industry Management Information System (SIMIS)
In March 2016 a total of 74,258.87 acres of sugar cane fields under production have been verified in the northern sugar belt of Belize. From data collected it has been analyzed that cane variety B79474 remains the most dominant variety accounting for 60% of total area under production. This is followed by B52298 representing 17% and Belize Barbados Varieties (9 BBZ varieties) account for 4% of total area verified. All other varieties are reported as small quantities and available in more detail on the SIMIS database and represented on pie chart. Another valuable item of information collected was the spatial distribution of sugar cane fields regarding the actual size of each parcel. Data shows that small parcels between 0.1 to�

Importance of Biological Control and its Role in Managing Huanglongbing (HLB) in Belize
Figure 1: Adult Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and nymphs (Warnert, 2013) [above] Contributors: Ing. Helen Theresa Choco, Manuel Garcia, Veronica Manzanero-Majil The presence of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), a tiny insect about 4 mm in size (figure 1) was first detected in Belize in 2005. Later, in 2009, the presence of Huanglongbing (HLB) (formerly citrus greening) was confirmed in Belize. ACP is the most efficient vector responsible for the spread of HLB in the Americas. Considering the potential gravity of HLB based on experiences from other countries, the Citrus Research and Education Institute (CREI), the research arm of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) in collaboration with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the�

Sweet and Sour Dreams
March 2015 ( not April Fools day) we are reading in the news that a thousand year old Anglo Saxon recipe found in the British Library that is actually ninety percent effective in the eradication of the superbug MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Following the directions to the letter, scientists concocted a stew of onions, leaks, and garlic, stewed in vintage wine and cows' bile in a brass vessel for nine days to an amazing success. It may appear to be improbable that, after all, this time we are finding simple ingredients have the power to cure devastating diseases, but perhaps we need to pay more attention. For centuries folk healers around the world have claimed that God created plants�

Introduction of the African Bee to South America and Belize
The African honeybee (Apis mellifera adansonii) is a native of Africa, occupying roughly � of the continent, from the Sahara Desert in the north to the Kalahari Desert in the south. In 1957, 26 swarms of African bees, held for scientific breeding studies in a apiary near Rio Claro, Brazil, escaped, starting the "Africanization" of bees and establishing themselves as feral swarms occupying now the whole of South America (except what seems to be their climatic limits south of 32o S. on Northern Argentina), Central America, Mexico and the states of Texas, California, New Mexico and Florida and parts of the Caribbean. The African bee has the same number of chromosomes (16 in drones and 32 for the queen) as�

Limbe Lime
Back in 1976, citrus farmers in southern Belize were in need of agricultural lime (ag lime or white lime) in order to improve the pH levels in their soils. As result of numerous tests being done in limestone deposits in the Spanish Lookout area, Mr. Abraham L. Dueck discovered high quality lime that has come to benefit the farming industry tremendously over the years. Forty years later, the company he started is still in business, managed by his son Milton; Limbe delivers its agricultural lime to a host of farmers, including citrus, banana, corn, teak, and many others. It is also widely used in the aquaculture industry. Agricultural lime, or white lime, is essential to soil because it increases the soil's�

Understanding Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt)
"Do you use chemicals on your vegetables?" is a question that the farmer selling directly to the customer is likely to hear. Often the farmer answers, "Only when necessary" or "No, I am organic". For questions like this, it is hard to give an accurate answer because most farmers whether organic or not, use some form of chemicals on their farms. Some farmers that are strictly organic must avoid certain chemicals but are still likely using some "natural" forms that are considered non-toxic. The scientific definition of a chemical is any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules.It is evident then, that chemicals include many things which may be harmful�

Considering Potassium and Manganese in Soil Fertility for Potatoes
Many growers feel that producing good yields of potatoes must involve the application of large amounts of fertilizer right under the seed row. The perception is that potato roots do not spread out much, and that they tend to grow straight down below where the seed is placed. This does show to be the case in many fields where potatoes are grown, but such limited root growth is actually abnormal compared to what should and does happen on potato fields with adequate levels of fertility. In fact, when soil fertility reaches the level it should be for growing potatoes, the plants send out roots that even spread across the middles, growing right on past roots coming from the next adjacent�

Remembering Mr. Anil Sinha
Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha's name is synonymous with CARDI, the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute he served for 34 years as an agricultural scientist, first in Guyana for a year and then the agriculture sector of Belize from 1983 until his sudden death on 20 February 2016. He was appointed the country representative for CARDI in 1989 and served as the CARDI representative on many technical and advisory boards, including the Pesticide Control Board as chairman. What a legacy he has left! His stewardship and accomplishments advanced Belizean agriculture far more than his breeding and development of cereals and grain legumes adaptable to the tropics. His efforts at partnering with other organizations, countries and Belizean farming communities for the�

Soils of Belize - The Toledo District
My last article left us at the northern boundary of the Toledo District. The soils of the Toledo District have all been formed under conditions of higher temperatures and higher rainfall. The dominant landform is the Maya Mountains and associated foothills that create the largest number of drainage courses of the 7 watersheds. This district has the largest number of rivers that are relatively fast moving and are broken up into many sub-units or tributaries. The mountains form a barrier that collects moisture from the coast and create conditions of condensation as rain and serious flooding. The floodplains of the Monkey River, Deep River and Golden Steam constitute the Northern Coastal Plain while the Rio Grande, Moho, Temash and Sarstoon�

How Sweet It Is Making Ice Cream at Western Dairies
Standing in line is not always a bad thing, especially if you are in line to buy ice cream at Western Dairies (WD) in Spanish Lookout and have not decided among 24 flavors which one(s) to buy. Behind the scenes are 6 busy people packaging the ice cream into 3 gallon, 1 gallon, � gallon, quart, pint, and 5 oz.cup size. The 3 gallon size is the best seller; it is the size that restaurants, resorts, and WD ice cream shops buy to serve their customers. Vanilla, chocolate and cheese cake seem to be the favorites sold in that size. However, vanilla counts for 35% of all sales. The newest product is an ice cream bar, vanilla ice cream coated�

Fire - Useful or Harmful Vegetation Management Tool for Belizeans
Fire, in the case of burning vegetation, consists of many processes and characteristics operating at various temporal and spatial scales that can result in even more diverse outcomes in terms of impacts on the biosphere. Relatively few terrestrial ecosystems have not been directly affected by fire, at one time or another, with both positive and negative outcomes. Today, due to the global scale of intentional and unintentional burning of native vegetation and agricultural crop residues, the overall biosphere is being affected more adversely than positively. Of course, as everyone knows, fires can be either started by humans purposely or accidently, while conversely natural wildfire in native plant communities can occur annually or with frequencies of greater than centuries. However, for�

Climate Change Impact on Agriculture
Adaptation measures to climate change and variability were the focus of a forum in February when the stakeholders of the agriculture sector and livestock producers met with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries, the Environment and Sustainable Development (MAFFESD); Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); and National Climate Change Office (NCCO). The participants developed specific recommended adaptation measures for both direct effects (changes in rainfall and temperature) and indirect effects (changes in pests, diseases and soil fertility) on agriculture crops and livestock. The measures recommended for excessive rainfall and flooding unclude: Drainage infrastructure, systems and mechanisms Well-designed and drained road infrastructure Available rainfall forecasts Relocation of animals and annual crops The measures recommended for drought include: Irrigation,�

Birding in Belize - A Visitor's Perspective
Slaty-tailed Trogon observed near duPlooy's Jungle Lodge [above] In February, my wife and I traveled to Belize for the primary purpose of bird watching, but our vacation also included snorkeling the barrier reef and visiting ancient Mayan ruins. Shortly after arriving in Belize City, we took a short flight on Maya Air over to Caye Caulker Island where we spent the next three days bird watching, relaxing, and walking, as our primary means of transportation on the island were our feet! Spending time on Caye Caulker was thoroughly enjoyable and stress free; the pace on the island was slow and pleasant. Being an avid birder, I particularly enjoyed the variety of Caribbean specialty bird species we observed on Caye Caulker�

Wildlife Impacts from Changing Landscapes
With Belize's growing population, spreading urbanization and expanding agricultural footprint, inevitably there are impacts on wildlife as portions of their habitat are cleared for new houses, roads, milpas and large-scale agriculture. Whilst large tracts of wildlife habitat are protected in central and southern Belize by the protected areas that provide critical environmental services such as water supply, flood control and protection from landslides, the wildlife of coastal and northern Belize are more limited in the provision of safe havens from land-use change. The gradual loss of wildlife across the landscape is going unnoticed. One species that makes an interesting case study is Belize's charismatic Yucatan black howler monkey, better known as the baboon or saraguato, one of Belize's two species�

Belize Livestock Producers Association Holds 38th Annual General Meeting
On March 19th, 2016, the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) convened for their 38thannual general meeting (AGM) at their headquarters at Mile 47 � George Price Highway. Ranchers gathered from all over Belize, and those renewing their membership found a special price of $25.00 annual dues in effect for the day. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Environment and Sustainable Development Mr. Jose Alpuche, always a welcomed attendee, made a short presentation noting that a reduction of the entry tariff [of cattle] into Mexico and the Government of Belize's (GOB) cooperation "will provide a foundation for you ranchers to build upon". He also noted that we need to attach "a proper value on the cattle�

Climate Change, Land Use, and the Future of Water in Belize
The reality of climate change has many of us questioning how the change in weather patterns will affect the agriculture industry. Not only have we seen a marked difference in the length of wet and dry seasons and when they occur during the year, but we're noticing more extreme weather behavior in terms of flooding and drought. These abnormalities lead us to wonder what the long-term effects of increasing average temperatures will be. The answer is not easy to pin down as it depends on many factors, such as how much average temperatures rise and how much more forest cover is converted to other land uses. Because so many people are interested in knowing how climate change will affect different�

Pro-Organic Belize Visits Pesticides Control Board - Understanding Pesticide Labels
On March 11th, 2016 a delegation from Pro Organic Belize (POB) met with Pesticides Control Board (PCB) staff at the PCB headquarters at Central Farm, Cayo District. Present from PCB were Pesticides Registrar Ms. Miriam Serrut, and PCB team members, Ms. Jenelle Canto, Mr. Selvyn Molina, Mr. Nonanto Canto and Mr. Ginnel Ozaeta. Nearly all of Cayo'sPOB members joined their "delegation", such was the interest level in learning more about how pesticides become registered and how to understand their labels. Belize recognizes 5 grades of pesticides, which are graded by hazard classification, shown in color, using the World Health Organization (WHO) Acute Oral Toxicity Tables for chemicals. Of the 2 reds and 1 each of yellow, blue and green classes,�

Homemade Health - Parasites
Headaches, pain, joint inflammation, nausea, weight loss, vision problem, cancer, even death. What do these symptoms have in common? All can be caused by parasites. Parasites are organisms that cannot live independently of their host. They are much more common than you may think. In a documentary made by National Geographic called "The Body Snatchers," they reported, "in fact, parasites have killed more humans than all the wars in history." . Dr. Hulda Clark writes that all cancers are caused by parasites. I don't know if that's true, but the subject is serious enough to warrant investigation. While this is an unpleasant subject, even repulsive to some, it is a problem that can affect everyone. Parasites can enter the body�

Spanish Lookout Commercial and Industrial Expo 2016
The Commercial and Industrial Expo held at Countryside Park in Spanish Lookout every other year continues to draw large crowds. The fourth annual expo, held on February 26 and 27, had 15, 500 attendees, 1,000 more than Expo 2014, who came from every district in Belize. For the 1,000 students who came by the busload on Friday and the crowd on Saturday it was a fun time of horseback riding, ATVs, boating, buggy and "train" rides, jumping on the trampoline, and enjoying a great variety of delicious food. The number of booths also increased from 130 to 140 with 15 new exhibitors. Although there was an increase in livestock showing, probably the largest category of exhibitors was car dealerships with�

Breadfruit Basics
Beautiful tropical breadfruit trees are very well-adapted to Belize's growing conditions including the rainy season; however, they can get water-stressed, resulting in partial defoliation in the dry season months but the tree continues to grow and bear fruit. The breadfruit tree has an exotic, lush tropical appearance due to its very large, lovely, lobed leaves. Breadfruit, (Artocarpusaltilis) is in the plant family Moraceae. There are both seeded and seedless breadfruit varieties. Other cultivated Artocarpus species include Artocarpuscamansi, known as breadnut; A. heterophyllus, jackfruit, and A.integer, champedak. Another relative of the breadfruit called dugdug is A. mariannensis, and the popular marang is A. odoratissimus. The seeds in all Artocarpus species may be boiled or roasted; they are both starchy and delicious.�

Belize Ag Youth Reporter Visits Miss Chrissie's Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker
This is not a fiction article, although from the title it might be about a farm beside "Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory". Belize Ag Youth Reporter Nick Roberson*, is fascinated and curious about all aspects of chickens and other domesticated fowl - guineas, turkeys, ducks, geese, he loves them all. Nick is always ready to accompany Belize Ag writers out on any chicken story. So when Ms. Chrissie Tupper announced to a few friends that she acquired a brand new Whiz Bang Chicken Plucker, imported from the USA and ready for assembly at her farm behind the Tuppers' restaurant, Cheers With a Tropical Twist, at Mile 31 on the George Price Highway, Belize Ag planned to check it out. March 23rd�

Antibiotics Off The Menu
The Belize Bureau of Standards commemorated "World Consumer Rights Day 2016" in Belize on March 14th at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel by hosting a seminar with the theme Antibiotics off the Menu. The World Health Organization has identified the over-use of antibiotics in animal feed as a world crisis. The event focused on the risks of antibiotic use in the poultry, pig and cattle industry. "The widespread use of antibiotics is used to control, suppress or to kill micro-organisms," stated Armando Cowo, manager of the Belize Poultry Association. Mr. Cowo urged the use of antibiotics to be limited and used only "when it is absolutely necessary." He recommended that farmers use best practices by keeping barns and animal lots�

POB Speaker Abram Harder
"The biggest mistake people make when planting a tree seedling is to plant it too deep," said Abram Harder, speaker at the Pro-organic Belize (POB) April meeting. That statement riveted the attention of the 23 people who came to hear him and exchange information with other attendees about growing trees and plants with "low input". Abram went on with specific instructions: find the tap root and plant the tree so that the soil is only 1 inch above it, never deeper, then clean it around the stem and mulch the tree well. He said that manure from either chickens or cows can be used as fertilizer but the important thing to remember is to keep it away from the trunk.�

Wild Squash or Wild Pumpkin (Sikil)
Belize has a number of indigenous foods that are increasingly being neglected. One such fruit (vegetable) is the "sikil" C. lundelliana; origin: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize. Sikils, about the size of a husked coconut, are white with green striations. All the people I have sampled recently cannot remember the last time they had eaten this highly nutritious food. It is usually grown without pesticides. All persons reported that they cooked it (to death) with meats. None reported eating it raw. All squashes can and should be eaten raw to obtain maximum benefit. This squash makes the best coleslaw I have eaten when julienned and/or complimented with fresh tomatoes and fresh cheese for a simple salad. Please tell us how you prepare and�

Ag Briefs
The 2016 Wine and Chocolate will be held on Friday, May 20th at The Lodge at Big Falls in Big Falls Village. The Saturday, May 21st event will be held on Front Street in Punta Gorda town and Sunday, May 22nd will be at Julian Cho Technical High School at Dump Area, San Antonio Road. Contact [email protected] or call 722-2531. The University of Belize College of Agriculture at Central Farm (UBCF) will host prominent soil fertility expert Neal Kinsey for the 3rd time in Belize, on February 27th -March 1st 2017 (the 2016 course was held earlier in Feb 2016). The upcoming course will be a new course to Belize; the 3 day Intro 2 course begins with a day�

Yam - A Gentle Giant of Tropical Roots
In January my husband told me we have several yams waiting to be dug, and we should start using them before the potato crops come in, here in Barton Creek. I asked why he didn't tell me sooner. Soon afterwards a large, brown, muddy, knobby specimen appeared on our back porch; it must have weighed 10 pounds. But my husband said it was only half of the smallest one and these grew up as volunteers and uncared for! Yam, not to be confused with the smaller and unrelated sweet potato and also not to be confused with the wild yam, a herbal source of estrogen, is surely one of Belize's under-appreciated foods. A vine that would thrive climbing up a�

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #33 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

Industrial Uses Of Hemp
A Short History of Cannabis Hemp Since ancient times, until this century, hemp was used throughout the world to provide food, fiber, paper, medicine, shelter and fuel. In the early 1900's Henry Ford used fuel made from hemp to run the first cars, and believing that hemp would play an even larger role in the automobile industry, he built a car body made from hemp fiber that was stronger than steel, yet only a fraction of the weight (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srgE6Tzi3Lg). Ford's engineers found ways to extract methanol, charcoal, tar, pitch, ethyl acetate and creosote - all from hemp and all of which are fundamental ingredients used throughout industry. But since the prohibition of hemp in the 1930's, these ingredients have�

From The Editor
Fruits and Vegetables in Belize's Markets Tested for Pesticide Residues? Currently Belize has no regular testing system for pesticide residues of fruits and vegetables sold in our stores and markets. Belize law does not mandate any pesticides residue testing of our foods, so there is no way to declare that they are safe or not. Belize products sold for export must meet the demands of the importing country, usually including pesticide residue testing. Importers bringing produce into Belize however, do not need to have any pesticide residue testing done. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, a country cannot impose restrictions on imported goods which are not required for the same domestic goods. Thus, in order to mandate pesticide residue testing�

To The Editor
Dear Editor, Subject: Lack of thinking hinders ag development Agricultural development has a future. Scientists in Kenya at the International Centre of Inset Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and Rothamsted Research, UK in collaboration with other partners developed a natural method for controlling the corn-borer moth. A ground-cover plant, silverleaf desmodium, dissolves moth eggs laid on it; planted in fields between rows of corn, desmodium gives off compounds that repel the stem borer moth. Its roots suppress weeds including striga, a serious parasitic weed of corn. Napier grass, planted at the edge of fields, attracts stem borers out of the field to lay their eggs on it instead of the corn. The sharp silica hairs and sticky exudates on the Napier�

Potato Research In Peru
Of all the countries in the world, Peru is one of the most interesting in agricultural history. The diversity of plants and climates from rainforests to snowy mountains to hot deserts are all in a place about 1/8 the size of the United States. The origins of many important food crops such as potato, sweet potato, and certain peppers are here. Researchers in Peru and around the world are aware of the great importance of this region and many are devoting their life's work to improving agriculture for the country's people. I wanted to learn more about this curious place of so much diversity. The potato, for example: many thousands of varieties grow only in Peru - nowhere else. I�

Beyond The Backyard - Ghosts Of The Graveyard
They stand erect and tall as guardian soldiers, swords at the ready, ever on duty in our cemeteries. The dagger like plants of Draceanaafromontana and then Yucca were planted at the headstone or in place of one at unmarked graves to ward off evil and keep restless spirits from wandering. They are profoundly significant as a symbol of eternity and mourning in the cultural beliefs of tropical Africa. The tradition continued throughout the Americas and the Caribbean settlements, the Yucca becoming our sentinel. The name Yucca applies to more than 50 species that have mostly adapted to all types of terrain and share characteristics of appearance and chemistry. They are evergreens, drought tolerant, spread rapidly, fire adaptive, prefer full sun�

Belize's First International Beekeeping Symposium
Beekeeping is an agroforest activity that protects the environment, contributes to food security through the pollination of crops, and represents an important, albeit underdeveloped, industry that could provide employment to many Belizeans. In time, beekeeping has the potential to become a source of foreign exchange through the exportation of honey and other hive products such as beeswax, propolis, pollen, bees and manufactured products such as soaps, creams and shampoos. On May 27th and 28th, 2016, the beekeeping community met at the Cayo Welcome Center in San Ignacio to address the potential of beekeeping in Belize and its present challenges. The two-day event was organized by Cayo Quality Honey Producers Cooperative (CQHPC). CQHPC is based in the Cayo District and was�

Optimizing Corn Yield With Nitro Xtend+S
By Edwin Gomez, Axel Hidalgo, Wilbert Ramclam, Eddie Friessen and Albert Reimer The increase in productivity corresponds to the increase of total dry matter as a result of nutrients absorption (Karlen et al, 1987). Furthermore, the adoption of best management practices for the use of fertilizers is necessary to increase and stabilize yields and promote agricultural sustainability (Ciampitti et al, 2007). With these important factors in mind we conducted trials to evaluate the effect of a new product called NITRO XTEND that inhibits the enzyme urease which is responsible for breaking down nitrogen into ammonium. A crop of corn yielding 10,688 pound per acre would need to absorb approximately 219, 42, and 42 pounds per acre of nitrogen (N), phosphorus�

BEL-CAR Updates
Those who study the Ag Prices at a Glance page in the Belize Ag Report's centerfold, will have noted that it has been a good while since Class A corn has been even priced. (It has been marked N/A for not available). Bel-Car refers to Class A corn as dark yellow high quality type which is most desirable for their corn meal, rather than strictly feed corn. Class A has more endosperm and less germ and has high vitreousness. High endosperm kernels are usually brighter orange color, rather then yellow. Hard vitreous kernels have better nutritional, dry milling, breakage resistance and pathogen resistance qualities than soft opaque kernels. After Spanish Lookout's trials of a new hybrid variety of a Class�

21 st Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean 6 - 10 June 2016
The Pesticides Control Board of Belize is pleased to report that the hosting of the 21st Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC) held in Belize from 6 - 10 June 2016, was a resounding success. The meeting was held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel in San Ignacio, Cayo under the theme: "A changing climate! A changing world! Responsible pest and pesticide management - our responsibility." Mr. Carlos Fuller of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre based in Belize was the keynote speaker during the meeting's first technical session. The CGPC is comprised of representatives from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Boards or Authorities of the countries of the Caribbean, and associate members�

Building Life In The Soil
"How can I improve soil biology or encourage soil life on my land?" From organic to no-till farms, this is one of the most asked questions in agriculture today. Before that question can be answered there are other questions that need to be answered. Will the benefits from following a proposal to build life in the soil be profitable enough to be economically feasible? Will such a program justify the time and effort required? What type of changes may be needed to achieve the goal in a proper manner? The answers to these questions will help determine what may or may not be possible under varying sets of circumstances. There are no simple one-step plans that will apply to every�

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) And Green Cane Harvesting
In 2015 the Department of the Environment (DOE) started a national project entitled "Belize Chemicals and Waste Management Project", which aims to manage and dispose of all existing stockpiles of POPs, as well as reducing the release of unintentional POPs (UPOPs) into Belize's environment. In the past DDT was used extensively to control mosquitoes that carry malaria and dengue. Other chemicals continue to be used in agriculture. Now it is being recognized that these chemicals have unforeseen negative effects on human health and the environment. POPs can be transported by wind and water, and affect people and wildlife far from where they are used. They exist for very long periods of time in the environment and can accumulate and pass�

Belize Livestock Producers Association News
Belize is now proceeding with cattle sweep 4. Based on our good results indicating a healthy livestock population, and proposals at the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) we may qualify for some testing reductions. The OIE has drafted changes for the entire world, that, if accepted, would only require 3 tests for brucellosis under some conditions, rather than the currently required 5. Currently we must test 99.9% of our livestock, but we have applied to test only a representative percent of 22.7% of livestock for the fourth sweep. If those results are clean, they could be accepted and used to declare our official status. Throughout the country, it would then involve selected herds, identified into 6 risk areas: breeding�

Working Together To Reduce Predator Attacks On Livestock
Livestock production in Belize is common and increasing. Many farms and villages lie in close proximity to the forest, potentially putting their animals at risk of predator attack. Livestock predation is frustrating and economically damaging, particularly for small-scale farmers who may lose a substantial proportion of their herd if they suffer repeated attacks. Understanding how predators, such as jaguars, pumas and coyotes, use the forest and agricultural lands, and how livestock are managed within the landscape, is helping us to identify practical, cost-effective non-lethal methods to deter predators from attacking livestock. Panthera works in partnership with the Forest Department's Wildlife Program and theUniversity of Belize's Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI). Our applied research combines ecological and social science to understand the�

Sustainable Harvest International (SHI)
SHI-Belize began its work teaching farmers in Toledo about organic gardening and agroforestry in March 1999 with only 3 staff members who were Agroforestry extensionists with agricultural backgrounds. The project included 40 - 45 families. Since 2005, when Nana Mensah became SHI-Belize Country Director, the organization greatly expanded in staff from 3 to 9, geographic scope to include Stann Creek and Cayo, number of farmers from 45 to 115, and project scope to include small animal husbandry and micro-business development. At the moment we are in the final stage of completing a project with 21 families in the village of Otoxha; the project was funded as a grant from the Australian government. Under this project we issued 21 sets of�

Sheep Projects In Belize
The Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Belize, funded by International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), signed an agreement with the Belize government in December 2015 to assist with a 3 year small ruminant project which will run until December 2018. The project is a joint project between Belize and TTM, whereby funds are granted to the host country. TTM will assist with management and Mr. Pin-Nan Lee, a small ruminant specialist is assigned to oversee the new Central Farm sheep breeding facility. The budget of the project is US$1.274M over 3 years, with US$350K provided by the Government of Belize. While the project was initially planned to include both sheep and goats, a decision was made to focus solely on�

Forest Fires - All Is Not Well In Belize
The rainy season has started; no longer the gloomy grey dome of smoke choking us and distressing tourists because the rains have cleared the air from the fires of the dry season. Incredibly extensive and costly fires have persistently been devastating the countryside and biodiversity year after year. Before Belize gained its independence fires were considered a very serious business. Extension officers of colonial Belize worked with farmers in the fields every day of the week and issued official fire-permits to farmers to burn their milpa clearings. It was mandatory that all cleared land have a 6-foot wide fire-pass around the entire perimeter. The extension officer of the area would ensure that the fire-pass was well done and up-to-date for�

Surinam Cherry
Surinam cherry bushes grow all over Belize; they have pumpkin-shaped fruits that are botanically berries, but resemble cherries. If you are not familiar with Surinam cherries, imagine classic bing cherries with eight ribs growing on beautiful glossy evergreen leaved bushes. The cherries/berries look like cherries, but do not taste like cherries. The taste of the Surinam cherry fruit when ripe is said to resemble fig, mango, green pepper, with undertones of balsam and apricot, and even a touch of pine-like resin and tobacco aftertaste. Before the fruits are ripe they are tart, acidic and bitter tasting. It is best to pick only the fruits which are dark red and readily fall into your hand. There is a rare variety of�

Blue Moon Over Big Falls
Chocolate lovers congregated for the gala event of the 10th Annual Cacao Festival, now being called the Chocolate Festival, on May 20, not quite the full flower moon evening (full moon was actually Saturday) but close enough to add magic to the magnificent setting around the pool and lush tropical gardens at Big Falls Lodge, Toledo. This year the exhibitors offering samples of their products and very informative discussion regarding their procedures and mission were: Xoco, an event sponsor who focuses on supplying high end quality cacao beans to chocolatiers worldwide and now farming in Belize. Cotton Tree, who makes chocolate exclusively from beans from the Toledo District. Each batch of chocolate is created from the beans of a single�

The Majestic Mango
Stately, massive mango trees are the glory of a tropical farm. No other fruit is anticipated with such eagerness; no other fruit tree is so abundant to the point of overwhelming when they bear well. The varieties are as different as apple varieties and each one may have its own loyal devotee. Grafted mango trees begin to bear from 2 to 3 years from planting and continue for many, many years. As I write, the view through one of the windows of our house is fully dominated by the foliage of a mango tree about 20 yards away; it may be 40 years old and is bearing again this year. It used to bear only a type of mango known�

Fertility From The Deep - Nature's Perfect Nutrient Blend for the Farm - Written By Charles Walters
The hypothesis that the diversity and abundance of chemical elements contained in ocean water could provide "nature's perfect nutrient blend for the farm" was tested within the context of innovative farming methods proposed and implemented by Dr. Maynard Murray in the mid-20th century. In his book, Mr. Walters describes the inspirational, scientific and practical evolution and implementation of Dr. Murray's ideas and the experiments he conducted to revolutionize modern agriculture in terms of providing healthier food for an increasingly unhealthy human population. Dr. Murray had taken his medical training at the University of Cincinnati and spent a decade testing the art and science of his profession. While working many years in Boston hospitals, Dr. Murray became increasingly appalled by the�

Breakfast is Served! You Name The Dish.
What would you call a dish of green banana flour, seaweed, powdered milk, sugar and peanuts with water added and cooked for 15 minutes? That nutritious combination is being developed into a product at the Central Farm food processing test kitchen for the school feeding program. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries, the Environment and Sustainable Development (MAFFESD) project, headed by Anna Howe, was started in July 2015 with the help and direction of a food specialist to find the combination of ingredients to (1) use local ingredients (2) make a tasty, nutritious breakfast food for the school feeding program at minimum cost, and (3) explore the marketability of such a product. Anna and her crew of 5 are testing�

Rainy Season War
The rains have fallen, the flowers and plants are blooming and the mosquitos are buzzing. That high pitched sound there little wings make in the night time is more than annoying, mosquitos are Vectors of Malaria, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya, and now a new player�.Zika! Most of the above mentioned are transmitted by the same villain, Aedes aegypti, which is distributed worldwide, except in the coldest of places. Female mosquitos require blood meal for the protein required by her developing egg brood. Dusk and dawn are active feeding times for mosquitos, and we all know the wet season bed time ritual mentioned above ��..hearing, but not knowing where the attack will eventually come. Vector transmission takes time, as the virus must�

Ag Events
The University of Belize College of Agriculture at Central Farm (UBCF) will host prominent soil fertility expert Neal Kinsey for the 3rd time in Belize, on February 27th -March 1st 2017 (the 2016 course was held earlier in Feb 2016). The upcoming course will be a new course to Belize; the 3 day Intro 2 course begins with a day and a half of trace minerals. Workbooks for the new course are available now for paid registrants of the next year's Intro 2 course. All are welcome to attend this course - students, teachers, private sector. Contact David Thiessen at 670-4817. Neal reports that this is "the favorite course" of farmers. Mark your calendars for Sustainable�

NATS/Agric Show 2016
The National Agriculture Trade Show (NATS) name has morphed into Agric Show. The 2016 Agric Show, held on the fairgrounds in Belmopan from April 29 - May 1, drew 39,500 visitors. The 50 acre plus fairgrounds have been updated each year with a vision to eventually use the NATS fairground for a year-round Saturday marketplace with new barns, a permanent horticulture garden and tilipia farm as a training ground for future farmers in Belize with the support of Minister of Agriculture Gaspar Vega. Mr. Vega is dedicated to helping small farms succeed with the goal of helping Belize reduce its dependence on imports and become more secure in food production and distribution. Some highlights of the 2016 Agric Show included�

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #34 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.

WEED CONTROL PROGRAM FOR PASTURES
Weeds have been known to compete with crops for water, light, space and soil nutrients (J.D.Green et al 2006) thus reducing production. According to Penn State Extension Agronomy Facts 62, Weeds can be classified into three main groups (3). Annuals1, these complete their life cycle within a year and reproduce only by seeds. Biennial2 weeds live during two growing seasons (2 years) and reproduce only by seeds also. Perennial3 weeds live for more than two (2) years and reproduce by vegetative structure and seeds. A trial was conducted to control weeds in pastures at Spanish Lookout, Cayo District, Belize C.A. from the 10th August to the 12th September 2016 in collaboration with Mr. Art Plett. OBJECTIVE: 1. Evaluate herbicide mixture to control both annual and perennial weeds. 2. Develop a cost per acre analysis. 3. Evaluate weed control after eight (8) days of application. 4. Re-entry period for animal grazing.

Feasting in the Wake of Destruction Meals Prepared By Earl
Many of the trials and seeming disasters we experience can actually yield valuable fruits in our lives, for example, patience and wisdom. However, this spiritual principle is much easier to state in words than to live out in reality when we face disappointments of life. Our recent experience with Hurricane Earl reminded us of this truth and helped us to consider it, on a very small scale, for the storm did not damage anything truly important to us: our lives, the lives of our loved ones, or even significant amounts of property. We were thankful that God spared Belize reasonably well. As on many Belizean plantations, Hurricane Earl uprooted a few trees and banana plants at our place, and brought an abrupt end to the mango harvest, blowing down most of the immature mangoes. Our corn crop, like most of the neighbors, was mostly flattened; however, two months later, we were amazed to see how the corn continued to mature and produced a surprisingly good harvest, praise to God. Just after the storm we of little faith felt quite dejected when we saw some stalks were completely broken off. I brought the baby cobs home to use whole as a vegetable. Sliced into attractive "stars" and combined with thin slices of baby green bananas from broken off banana stalks they made a nice curry. I called it Hurricane Curry.

TO THE EDITOR
According to the Mennonites and some Belizeans that live in the Barton Creek area hunters are responsible for decades of destructive fires that have been set there. They set fires so they can come back a few weeks later and easily see and shoot animals. After the tall tiger fern is burnt off young grass sprouts appear and some animals enjoy eating them. To help solve this apparently country-wide problem the government needs to change the laws so penalties are severe for trespassing and arson. Then these very ignorant people may think twice about going on other people's land and setting fires. Perhaps the threat of a 10 year prison sentence would go a long way to help stop all the illegal logging as well. This year a fire was set on the other side of Barton Creek directly across from our property. It was so dry that a spark from it ignited the trees beside the creek on our side. It burned about 2000 square feet and killed all the young trees. Had it been drier one foolish person's criminal actions could have destroyed an entire forest along a beautiful creek.

Going Biological: Large-Scale Carbon-Smart Corn, Down the Wormhole
By David Yarrow. At the end of 2015 I talked to Missouri bootheel farmer David "JR" Bollinger about his experiences growing corn, soybeans and milo using carbonsmart farming principles and practices. In his first year fully committed to biological agriculture, Bollinger cut conventional fertilizers by 50 percent and applied blends of biocarbons, minerals and microbes. Soils, plants and yields are all showing positive results. Bollinger is the fourth generation to farm on 3,500 acres in the southeast Missouri Delta, with the family's main crops being corn, soybeans, wheat and milo.

Agricultural Sector Damages from Hurricane Earl
Overall, 1200 Farmers were directly affected by Hurricane Earl which ripped through Belize overnight August 3 and into the next day. The information below reflects only actual produce lost in the producing stage (does not include future losses anticipated from out-of-season fruit trees), using farm-gate prices unless otherwise specified. Additionally some losses of infrastructure are detailed. All prices are in Bz dollars. Citrus: Losses in Stann Creek and Cayo districts were mainly due to fruit drop, tree loss and damages to housing and other farm infrastuctures. Of the 38,000 acres in citrus production, fruit loss amounted to 641,654 boxes of fruit (519,731 boxes of oranges valued at $11,634,700; 121,923 boxes of grapefruit valued at $1,791,166) for an estimated total fruit loss of $13,425,861. Tree losses for oranges:12,556 trees valued at $35 per tree, amounted to $439,460. Tree losses for grapefruit: 1,156 trees valued at $40 per tree, totaled $46,240. Total tree loss was $439,460. Total immediate citrus loss was $13,911,566. Additional future fruit drop is anticipated as a delayed response to the wind damage and foliar loss to the trees.

Macro-economic Effects of Hurricane Earl
The national production of yellow corn was 146,385,913 pounds for 2014 and 135,043,110 for 2015. Approximately 53,000 acres of corn are planted on a yearly basis (mechanized plus milpa); from this total 26,674.5 acres or 120 M lbs equal to $34,998,802 were reported as a loss due to the hurricane. The losses in corn will trigger a ripple effect on the wider economy in terms of loss in foreign exchange due to a decrease in exports and feed for the industries of poultry, swine and cattle. As a result of the losses, an increase in corn prices and increase in by-products, for example, the price of meats, is expected. Corn is a staple crop considered a main contributor to food security.

Tomatillos...The Taste of Mexico By Jenny Wildman
I was when I first heard that some of my favorite vegetables, potatoes, aubergines (eggplant), tomatoes, and all peppers are part of the extensive nightshade family, Solanaceae, most of which can be toxic to humans. As children we were taught to avoid the pernicious deadly nightshade (Bella Donna) and thinking of anything as mildly related was somewhat unnerving. This is the plant dwale that contains poisonous alkaloids responsible for witches flying, murder and mayhem, delirium and death. Yet it was historically an important ingredient in medicine and still today is used in some pharmaceuticals. One branch of the nightshade family is Physalis which translated means bladder, as their common characteristic is the fruit being encased in a papery husk (the calyx). Some are ornamental as with Physalis alkekengi, the bright orange Chinese lantern. Others like Physalis peruviana, Cape gooseberry, ground cherry or golden berry, are both decorative and edible and affectionately called "love in a cage." The tomatillo (little tomato) Physalis philadelphicaor or Physalis ixocarpa is an essential ingredient to Mexican and Guatemalan cooking best known for salsa verde which graces every table.

Onions, Sheep, and Honey: A Winning Combination
By Sergio Omar Gomez. In an effort to minimize the economic impact to northern Belizean farmers by the loss of their preferential sugarcane market, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture launched a 30 month project in January 2015. The project, "Promoting Agri- business Development in Northern Belize" has been funded by the European Union. The economic diversification into growing onions, raising sheep, and making honey encompasses micro, small and medium enterprises in northern Belize. The three- pronged approach is aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihood opportunities for the rural population in Corozal and Orange Walk and includes 150 onion producers, 100 beekeepers and 100 sheep farmers. Dr. Jerome Thomas, FAO Representative in Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize says that the farmers who are being exposed to the value chain approach are learning about all the stakeholders that operate within the industry from input suppliers to the final market consumers.

Industrial Hemp Medicine for the Soil
By Karin Westdyk. Since the 1800s people traveled for miles to a dairy farm in Taranto Italy. It was famous for producing some of the best cheeses and dairy products in the country. But in 2008 the farm was ordered to destroy all its animals because tests showed that they were no longer fit for human consumption. They were contaminated with nickel, lead and other toxic substances emitted from a nearby steel mill. Farmer Vincenzo Fornaro had to decide whether to abandon his farm or stay. He decided to stay and face the huge task of cleaning his soil. After much research, he gained permission to plant industrial hemp to absorb the toxic substances from the soil and neutralize them. Other farmers followed suit and today there are over 100 farmers in the area planting hemp to clean up their land. The planting of industrial hemp in the region has also brought new investments to the area.The first hemp processing plant in southern Italy transforms the hemp used to clean the soil into fiber to make shoes, bags, clothing and construction materials.

World Food Day
By Gary Ramirez. On 16 October 1945, 42 countries assembled in Quebec, Canada, to create the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Their goal was to free humanity from hunger and malnutrition, and to effectively manage the global food. FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all. In Belize, World Food Day activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with its partners in development such as Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) etc. Planning and preparation for the event is usually coordinated by the World Food Day committee and the one day fair is held typically on the campus of a selected high school or educational institution. In recent years, the event was hosted by Independence High School in Independence village (2013), ITVET Belize City (2014), Mopan Technical High School in Benque Viejo Del Carmen (2015).

BEL-CAR Updates
Following 2 years with challenging drought conditions, western Belize's prospective 2016 corn harvests on roughly 30,000 acres looked bright with expectations for restoration of prior corn inventories which had enabled regular exports. Hurricane Earl's arrival, on August 3rd dashed those plans. The biggest surprise of the storm was that the winds which hit the coast at 60-80 mph and normally decrease as they pass over land, apparently gained strength. Several Spanish Lookout farmers felt that winds on their farms exceeded 100 mph. The Spanish Lookout Community Office shortly after the storm estimated an approximately Bz$20 M loss in row crops. Barton Ramie, the most fertile belt in Spanish Lookout along the Belize River, was 40% flooded and what was not flooded was wind damaged. At Kitty Bank an even higher percentage of cropland was flooded. When flooding is brief (less than 5 or 6 hours), the corn quality is likely reduced to #2, but is still usable for animal feed. Corn underwater longer is not salvageable. Corn planted along the Sibun River, close to the former Hummingbird Hershey operation, were some of the first planted and were close to harvest time when the storm hit. Corn there which was knocked down remained down resulting in a stretched out harvest time from the normal 4 days to over 2 weeks. Expected yields of over 50-60 bags/acre were cut in half. By mid-October, Bel-Car's estimate of western corn loss was about 50% - including quantitative and quality losses.

Spanish Lookout Community Office on Poultry
The Spanish Lookout Community Office reported at least 12 poultry barns, all newer buildings, lost their roofs. They attributed the losses on newer buildings to the nails going into the boards holding the rafters which accumulated rust over time resulting in an adhesive effect. Also, many roofs were constructed with nails rather than screws. On the Sunday following Earl, a small narrow tornado passed through some of Spanish Lookout, popping roof screws again, and in at least one case picking up and smashing a sheep barn through a wall. For the chickens inside the poultry barns, young chicks suffered the highest losses. In some cases where the roof remained, horizontal rain and cold temperatures created a fatal combination for birds without full feathers.

History of John Deere
By Julian Thiessen. The humble beginnings of John Deere, the leading manufacturer in the agricultural industry, date back to the early 1800's. According to Brittanica, 2015, John Deere, the founder of the company, was born in 1804, in Vermont, and became an apprentice to a blacksmith at a very young age. He was a hard worker and known as a perfectionist. He once stated, "I will never put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me" Eventually he opened up his own blacksmith shop; however to find more income to provide for his family he left Vermont and settled in Illinois where he did repairs as a blacksmith for the local pioneers.

Birds of Belize: The Art of Taxidermy Exhibit
By Dr. Stephen zitzer and Dalena Lesson. The Belize National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) in collaboration with Dr. Stephen zitzer launched an exhibit at the San Ignacio/Santa Elena House of Culture on Friday evening October 7, 2016 titled Birds of Belize and the Art of Taxidermy. The exhibit displays 30 plus bird species native to Belize that were provided by various official Belizean wildlife conservation, protection, healthcare and rehabilitation agencies in cooperation with the Belize Department of Forestry. Dr. zitzer did all the skinning, stuffing and posing of the specimens, most of which were victims of collisions with vehicles; many died of unknown causes and several were known to have been shot. Additionally, Dr. zitzer has a permit with the Belize Department of Forestry to legally collect dead animals and to perform taxidermy, but not to collect or kill live specimens. Except for a limited season for a few relatively large game bird species including ocellated turkeys and chachalacas, all birds in Belize are protected including all the species in the exhibit. The exhibit has a relatively high percentage of species of birds of prey, including nocturnal (active at night) species dominated by owls and diurnal (active in the day) species that includes hawks, falcons, forest- falcons and fish eagles or ospreys. However, their dominance in the exhibit is correlated with the fact that these birds are much more visible and recognizable when they are injured, but the fact they are often hit by vehicles does contribute to the record of their distribution in Belize.

Presentation on Glyphosate to Pesticide Control Board Registration Committee
As a first step in the newly developed policy and procedures for re-registration of pesticides, the August meeting of the Pesticide Control Board Registration Committee (PCBRC) was a session to hear presentations by two groups of petitioners who are recommending a ban on glyphosate. The first group represented six organizations: Sustainable Harvest International (SHI)- Belize, Plenty Belize(PB) and Belize Organic Family Farming (BOFF), Belize Botanic Gardens (BBG), Pro Organic Belize (POB) and Belize Wellness Institute )BWI); the second presentation represented Southeast Watershed Alliance Group (SWAG).

Successful Cattle Auction at Iguana Creek, Spanish Lookout
By Cornie Friesen of JF Brahman Ranch. JF Brahman and KR Ranch jointly hosted a cattle auction at the roadside cattle facilities of Joe Friesen Jr in Iguana Creek, Spanish Lookout on September 10th. Fifty-seven individuals registered to bid on the livestock. The cattle were sold to 16 different buyers coming from Spanish Lookout, Hummingbird Highway areas, and Lower Barton Creek. Fifteen Brahman breeding bulls were sold, bringing an average of $3,833 (3.25 /lb) per bull. The top selling bull, from Menno Reimer's KR Ranch brought $5,400. Seven Brahman breeding heifers (pregnant) were sold at an average of $2,130 (2.15 /lb), and the top price heifer was sold by HD Ranch (Glen Dueck). JF Brahman (Cornie Friesen) sold 8 bulls averaging $4,038 with their highest price being $4,800.

Necessity: The Mother of Invention: Corn Reels in Spanish Lookout
When Hurricane Earl belted across the corn fields of Belize it flattened much of the corn. The farmers in Spanish Lookout, using their combines for harvesting the corn, had serious problems: the combines could not pick up all the corn and the corn clogged the machinery. Daniel Koop, mechanical engineer/entrepreneur to the rescue! Using an existing design concept he fabricated a corn reel to mount on top of the combine header. The corn reel looks like a giant three-dimensional comb with three rows of "teeth" made of round steel tubing that assist the header with picking up and feeding the corn into the combine. The corn reel can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch by the combine driver as required; it is hydraulically driven. It can be raised and lowered during operation or lifted up and out of the way when its function is not needed. Daniel didn't have much time, but his ten busy employees fabricated 11 corn reels, outfitting a third of the combines in Spanish Lookout.

Cassava and Belizean Food Security
By Johnathan Canton and Gilbert Canton Jr. Can you imagine driving along one of our major highways and seeing "large tracts of cassava being planted and harvested? Large cassava trucks lined up outside of a cassava factory waiting to be unloaded? The cassava factory producing intermediate and final products, and distribution trucks busily being loaded to deliver products to supermarkets and other cassava consumption points?" This is precisely what Deep Ford, the regional coordinator of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for the Caribbean, asked the attendants of the 2014 Regional Conference on Cassava in the Caribbean and Latin America to envision. For many of us this might sound familiar. Indeed, we have seen similar sights associated with the sugar, banana and citrus industries in Belize. So why is there a sudden interest in cassava? The answer to that question first requires consideration of Belize's recent trade statistics. In the last decade our import bill has risen approximately 70% to nearly 2 billion Belizean dollars. In comparison, our export earnings are almost four times lower at roughly half a billion Belizean dollars. These alarming figures are not unique to Belize but represent a regional trend in the Caribbean. In fact, according to the FAO, half of the countries in the Caribbean region import greater than 80% of the food consumed.

Belize Orchid Diversity
By Dr. Stephen Zitzer. Belize is home for more than 300 species of orchid including the national flower of Belize, the black orchid (Prosthecea cochleata); many species live in all districts of Belize. The checklist of the vascular plants of Belize, published in 2000, lists 279 species of orchid second to the Fabaceae, or legume family, with 295 species found in Belize. More recently the Guide to the Orchids of Belize by Sayers and Adams, published in 2009 by the Belize Botanical Garden, lists 312 species of orchid including Pleurothallis duplooyi, an apparently endemic species, or one that is currently known to occur only in Belize. There is little doubt the list will continue to grow as more plant surveys are conducted in Belize and the existing species genetic relationship are studied and clarified. Worldwide the orchid family contains between 25,000-30,000 species and is one of the largest plant families on the planet occurring in almost every terrestrial habitat. They are most commonly found growing on trees along with other epiphytic plants, but some species grow on rocks, called lithophytes and many others in soils. Orchids are among the most evolutionarily advanced of plant families, having remarkable specializations for pollination, water uptake and storage, and associations with specific species of fungi and ants for nutritional needs and seed germination.

The History of Vanilla in Ancient Maya Culture
By Dawn Dean. Vanilla flourished wild in the damp shade of Central America's lowland forests long before humans discovered its tantalizing aroma and undertook its cultivation. It's possible that the plethora of seemingly wild vanilla found today in southern Belize is vestigial, left behind by the Manche Chol Maya. Before we get going, it's important to know that 500 years ago, a good cup of chocolate included not only cacao, but also annatto and vanilla. (But no sugar!) Now let's start with a bit of history. Herman Cortes traversed Chol territory in 1525, cutting across what is now the southwest corner of Belize, at the end of a journey from the southern part of what is now the state of Veracruz on the gulf coast of Mexico. His chronicle of the entrada, a lengthy letter to Emperor Charles V, includes several references to the cacao he came across in the region. Cortes was well aware of the value placed on cacao by the indigenous peoples he encountered on his travels, having noted in an earlier letter to Charles V that "they use it as money throughout the land and with it buy all they need". He had no idea, however, of the role that cacao would play, together with vanilla and annatto, in sustaining the local economy as the Spanish vied for domination of the Southern Maya Lowlands.

Marco Figueroa Speaks at POB
POB was fortunate to have cacao expert, Marco Figueroa as the speaker at their monthly meeting on 6th September at Maya Mountain Lodge, Santa Elena, Cayo District. A native of San Ignacio, Marco attended the Universidad de zamorano University in Honduras. Marco started in the cacao industry in the 80's with Hummingbird Hershey as Research Manager. Over the decades, Marco has worked for GOB at NARMAP, Programme for Belize, Belize Enterprise for Sustained Technology (BEST), and has managed a cacao operation in Costa Rica. In 2015 he retired after 11 years as the technical advisor for the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA) and now works at his own diversified farm in the outskirts of San Ignacio when not traveling internationally as a cacao consultant. Although Toledo is best known for its cacao industry, Marco revealed that there are a few areas in Stann Creek, Cayo and even Orange Walk Districts which are also suitable for growing cacao. Theobroma cacao is very particular as to its needs. Almost all the commercial groves are Theobroma cacao trinitario. T. cacao criollo is the Belizean native species which is increasingly rare today as it is very fragile and susceptible to disease. The criollo was crossed with the South American forestero many years ago to create the more hardy trinitario. About 700 cacao trees, 800 plantain and 136 timber trees fit nicely per hectare and give the cacao a desirable 50% "sprinkle" of sunlight.

Ecological Farming
By Taylor Walker. There is a lot of talk these days regarding global climate change, soil loss, and desertification. We as farmers, gardeners, and stewards of the earth can play a major role in slowing and even reversing these catastrophic trends. Thankfully there are many solutions at hand if we use thoughtful techniques and look to the natural environment for ideas and answers. In nature plants do not grow only in one plane but grow in all dimensions. Most natural terrestrial ecosystems consist of many different species of plants and plant types. Ground covers, vines, herbs, shrubs, understory trees, canopy trees, and emergent canopy trees are all present in a tropical forest. As anyone who has farmed or gardened in Belize surely has witnessed any cleared land left to its devices quickly begins to reforest in a tangle of herbs, vines, and hard tree species. These pioneer species are the first plants to colonize an area after the land is cleared either by farming, overgrazing, or fire. These species are often called weeds. A weed is just a name for a plant in a place that we don't want it or that we have failed to discover its purpose and function.

AG Briefs
The University of Belize College of Agriculture at Central Farm (UBCF) will host prominent soil fertility expert Neal Kinsey for the 3rd time in Belize, on February 27th -March 1st 2017 (the 2016 course was held earlier in Feb 2016). The upcoming course will be a new course to Belize; the 3 day Intro 2 course begins with a day and a half of trace minerals. Workbooks for the new course are available now for paid registrants of the next year's Intro 2 course. All are welcome to attend this course - students, teachers, private sector. Contact David Thiessen at 670-4817 or [email protected]. Neal reports that this is "the favorite course" of farmers.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #35 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.

Old Crops Become New, Under-Utilized Native Crops: Ancient Amaranth
Amaranth is one of the most under-utilized native food plants of Belize. The name amaranth comes from the Greek amarantos which means never fading or does not wither. This is an appropriate name as it is a plant that tolerates drought and persists in backyard gardens with very little care. Amaranth, or as we know it in Belize, callaloo, has been cultivated as a grain for thousands of years. For generations, the native people of the Americas used it as a staple; the most extensive use of the plant was probably by the Aztecs as they have left behind many signs of the importance of amaranth in their way of life. Very little data on yield exists for amaranth cultivation in Belize but in Mexico the yields are comparable to rice. Amaranth has leaves ready to harvest within 30 days of germination and continues growing for approximately four months. The leaves are harvested while the plant continues to grow and produce food for us. The harvesting of the leaves stimulates tillering (plant that shoots up from the base of a plant) so the plant becomes more bush-like. One of the many advantages of this wondrous plant is its ease of handling.

Rainfall Totals in Belize
Statistics by region

Such a Delicious Monster
By Jenny Wildman. The members of the very large araceae or arum family are referred to as aroids. The family includes many plants which grow abundantly in tropical climates with names familiar to us: philodendron, monstera, dieffenbachia, caladium, calla, taro, dasheen, and coco yam. Some are grown for their edible corms, some for fruit but mostly for their striking foliage. They share certain characteristics such as large leaves containing a milky substance and are all laced with calcimum oxalate crystals or raphides which can cause temporary loss of voice and chronic itching. Even the edibles should never be eaten raw and extreme caution should be taken when handling, so anyone sensitive to oxalic acid should probably stay clear. The calla lily or arum lily is known for its magnificent beauty and has become a symbol of Easter and a traditional flower for weddings and funerals. The Romans put a lily upon a corpse to signify rebirth or resurrection but this later translated into association with death. It was considered very bad luck and the flowers were refused admittance to hospitals.

Mycorrhizae: what are they and can they give me better crops?
The symbiosis (the living together of two dissimilar organisms with mutual benefit) between plant roots and fungi has substantial agricultural usefulness. They form a compound structure known as a mycorrhiza or "fungus root". Plants exchange a fraction of the carbon that they have fixed from the atmosphere for phosphorous and nitrogen scavenged from the soil by the fungi. Since the discovery of the symbiotic nature of mycorrhizae in the late 1800's, a great deal has been learned about their mechanisms of nutrient scavenging and exchange.Very recent revelations have brought into question whether the tailored application of mycorrhizal fungi in the agricultural setting can enhance crop yields. Interestingly, some fungal partners cannot complete their life cycle without first associating with a plant partner. For this reason, they are referred to as obligate biotrophs (i.e. they need to extract nutrients from or "feed" off of other life forms). At first this sounds like parasitism. Indeed, many fungal parasites like the rust fungi that are known for their ability to negatively affect crops are also obligate biotrophs.

National Coconut Stakeholder Platform (NCSP) January Meeting at Tex-Bel Farms
On 18th January of this year, the National Coconut Stakeholder Platform (NCSP) held one of the largest meetings to date since its formation almost 2 years ago. The host of this meeting, Lester Muralles (Cabral), manager of Tex- Bel Farms, located on South Stann Creek Highway, graciously opened up the meeting to any coconut farmers in the area. The new approach for the NCSP is to rotate meeting venues. Chairman Manuel Trujillo opened the meeting and welcomed Minister of Agriculture Honorable Godwin Hulse, CARDI country representative Ms. Omaira Avila, members and guests. Mr. Trujillo began the meeting with disclosure of surveys which showed that Belize now has approximately 4,589 acres of coconuts - 1,919 producing and 2,670 planted. Mr. Trujillo explained that the focus of the committee at this time is on planting material and nursery stock. Although Central Farm has mainly Maypan (Malay dwarf x Panama tall), they are expecting 8,000 Chactemal seedlings from Mexico. All the GOB coconut nurseries in every district are bring re-habilitated.

Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations: The Albrecht Program
The Albrecht program is not just a single approach to soil testing and fertilizer recommendations. There are three different approaches that need to be understood to find the one appropriate to use based on each soil analysis. Consultants are not utilizing the full program as defined and understood by Dr. Albrecht and what he taught and advocated if they do not understand or utilize all three approaches. The Albrecht model of soil fertility refers to the principles Dr. William A. Albrecht initially used working as a soil microbiologist to develop a dependable system for testing soils and correcting nutrient needs to achieve the ideal biological environment for growing top quality, highly productive crops and plants of all types. This program has to do with how he regarded soil fertility and approached it with measurable, scientific principles that could be applied and proven right out in the field. As outlined by the principles given below, the Albrecht model is a foundational approach for achieving excellent soil fertility for soils in any part of the world.

Understanding Cross-pollination in Seed Production
Cross-pollination is the reproductive method used by some plant species, e.g. corn, soya, beans, peppers, coconuts, vegetables, to secure and improve the gene pool and transfer their genetic traits, to increase their diversity and expand the species' survival, to adapt to climatic change, and enhance their capability to withstand pest and diseases. In nature cross-pollination is achieved when pollen from one plant is transferred to another receptive plant, either by wind, insects or water through open-pollination. The new offspring carries genetic material from both parents. Depending on how different from its parents its genetic makeup is, the offspring can be considered a new species and/ or cultivar.

Belize Initiates Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Agriculture
In June 2016 Belize and five other Caribbean countries initiated pilot studies in antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella from poultry under the initiative "Caribbean Integrated Surveillance System for Antimicrobial Resistance in Agriculture" (CISARA). The initiative is part of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) project executed by the International Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) under the 10th European Development Fund. The pilot studies serve as the region's first initiatives to gather data on the status of antimicrobial resistance in the agricultural sector. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by the microorganism, is a natural phenomenon. However, its development is accelerated by use and misuse of antimicrobials including over-prescription by doctors, patients not completing their treatment, use of antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture, poor infection control in hospitals and clinics, and lack of hygiene in facilities. AMR can result in severe, long-lasting disease and even death for victims of resistant infections because treatments that worked in the past are no longer effective; medical procedures that were once simple can become fraught with complication.

ARDI Day - December 5, 2016 Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) - 42 years servicing the Caribbean region
CARDI day was celebrated on December 5th with an outreach programme that focused on kids. Entitled Planting A Seed For The Future Of Agriculture the programme encouraged kids to learn how to plant and care for traditional Belizean crops. Students from two schools were selected to take part in a modified farmer field school to produce corn starting with planting the seeds on the 5th of December and lasting 120 days. CARDI technical personnel will meet weekly with the kids at school to teach them how to care for their plants during the next four months, allowing them to discover for themselves all the challenges a farmer faces planting corn. Kids were also given open-pollinated seeds of CARDI CY-001 yellow corn to start their own planting at home, and a guide booklet of how to plant corn. A total of 130 students participated in the exercise, and if well-accepted, the programme can expand to communities and agro clubs to encourage our kids to learn and love agriculture.

Planning and Planting an Orchard
Global deforestation has caused many environmental problems, such as reduction in rainfall, loss of ground water and erosion; deforestation is partly due to human greed and carelessness about the beautiful earth our Creator provided for our use and sustenance. While we may not be able to solve the problems we have unleashed, for everyone who wants to show honour and appreciation for creation and help heal the environment in a small way, planting trees is one of the simplest acts to do at home. Planting fruit trees is even better, since fruit trees not only clean the air and hold onto topsoil like other trees, but also provide top quality, nutritious food. Think of the benefits as you enjoy a fresh juicy mango or Malay apple from your own orchard! In planning your orchard, it is wise to think of planting trees bearing fruit most valued by both humans and birds close to the house, so you have some hope of picking some as you compete with the birds for the fruit. Such fruits include sapodilla, tangelo, and Malay apple.

Soil Enrichment Using Biochar: Belize's Under-Used By-Product
Biochar, "black carbon", or "pyrogenic organic matter" are broad terms for various forms of charcoal, which are produced by thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen. The chemical term for this process is pyrolysis, and the relative control or regulation of osygen during the production process is very critical in determining the final specific properties each batch of biochar may have. In Belize, biochar is being produced on a large scale by the Belize sugarcane industry as a by-product of energy production via the pyrolysis/combustion of sugarcane biomass or bagasse. However, stock piles are increasing while use is relatively negligent. Conversely, there has been an effort to locally produce and utilize biochar for the production of cacao in the Toledo district. Those efforts have documented an increase in greenhouse-propagated cacao seedling stem diameter growth. Data on actual increases in commercial yield of cacao seeds have not been reported, but other cost benefits typically include less fertilizer use and reduced irrigation costs.

From My Perch: The Giving Tree
There was a tree in our yard that attracted so many birds all year round that we called it "the Giving Tree." I have tried to learn more about this tree so I could recommend that you grow one in your own yard. The scientific name is Coussapoa oligocephala of the family: Crecropiacea Magnoliophyta, what we call the trumpet tree, or Cecropia. It's hard to believe since they have very few similarities other than that they both grow quickly. I couldn't find a lot of information so I will share what I know. The tree is described as "hemi-epiphytic or terrestrial" growing up to 20 meters tall. It produces tiny yellow globular spiky flowers birds love to eat. Once the tree matures enough to bloom, it blooms continuously for months even though birds are constantly feeding off the small round yellow flowers. Every morning as the sun rose the Giving Tree would fill with all three types of toucans, motmots, tanagers, hummingbirds, orioles, woodpeckers and wood creepers, flycatchers and even parrots. During migration we expected and received surprises, like the gorgeous scarlet tanager and other migrants.

Exploring the Avian Wonders of Belize
On November 2nd 2016, a fall migrant from the Colorado Rocky Mountains,18- year-old field biologist, photographer, and artist, Joel Such takes flight across the Gulf of Mexico and lands on Belizean soil. Unlike the many migrant birds I have followed from North America, I am typically a resident who does not migrate south. This year, I break the trend and abandon the frosty mountains of Colorado's winter. I wake up my first morning full of expectation. Still under my sheets, the ambient noise of early morning fills my ears with promise. Shivering with excitement, I roll out of bed and snatch my binoculars off the bed stand. A vast environment completely foreign to my eyes lies beyond the door, and countless birds I have never seen await observation. I open the door to overlook a landscape of lush, green jungle, with topography sloping either up or down. I am in the Maya Mountains of western Belize, and this is where my journey begins. Amidst an ecosystem of mountainous broadleaf forest, birds flourish. A flock of migrant songbirds forages the surrounding bushes and trees, and I spot a raptor perched atop a dead tree. It is the endangered Orange- breasted Falcon feasting on its prize, a large bat clasped in its talons.

Expansion at NATS Grounds: Moving toward Year-round Use
The Government of Belize has been included in a UN Development Program with the Japanese Government called the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Project. The Japanese government is donating US$16 billion to 8 CARICOM nations to try to reduce the negative effects that climate change has on agricultural and sustainable development in these countries. The Belize government has decided to use a portion of its funds for sustainable agriculture projects with local produce farmers. Construction has begun at the National Agriculture & Trade Show (NATS) grounds in Belmopan for two covered pavilions, one with a cold storage room, to provide a wholesale and retail market for local farmers who grow quality produce. This once-a-week market will be administered by the Agriculture Ministry to improve the domestic market for local producers and allow small farmers direct access to the public. Details, such as which day of the week and booth fees, will be announced as decisions are made.

AgScience for Better Crops... Managing the Armyworm in Corn
Corn is one of the major crops of Belize; approximately 40,000 acres were grown in 2015. However, year after year, different pests attack the crop, causing huge losses to the farmers' economy. The main pest in corn is Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as the armyworm and it can be one of the most difficult insect pests to control in the field (Bessin, 2003). Spodoptera frugiperda is known to cause huge crop losses due to its high adaptability to different conditions allowing it to have a wide geographic distribution. In tropical and subtropical regions, losses can exceed 60% (Willink et al., 1993). The complete cycle of the armyworm takes 24-40 days depending on different conditions and has four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult which are described below and in figure 1 (CABI, 2016; Knutson, 2008).

Growing Hemp for Medicine
Ancient Chinese medical texts ranked cannabis as one of the most important medicines because of its ability to cure so many illnesses and its lack of toxicity. The first recorded use of hemp as medicine was in 2737 BC, and throughout history and the world, it was used for not only medicine, but for fuel, paper, fiber, and food. Until its prohibition in 1937, cannabis could be found in many medicines easily purchased in pharmacies and shops everywhere. When the U.S. Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act criminalizing the use of cannabis, a precedence of prohibition was established and was launched around the world through the subsequent United Nations Single Convention Treaty. Objections were raised by Dr. William C. Woodward, who testified to the government on behalf of the American Medical Association stating, "The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that cannabis is a dangerous drug." He warned that a prohibition "loses sight of the fact that future investigation may show that there are substantial medical uses for cannabis."

Solar Water Heating Systems
Solar water heating (SWH) goes back a long way; in 214 B.C Archimedes used a concave mirror as a solar collector to heat water. The solar collector is the heart of the system. It absorbs solar radiation, converts it into heat, and transfers useful heat to water in the absorber tubes. The third component of a solar water system is storage. Collectors: Flat-plate glass collectors: The collector housing can be made of plastic, metal or wood; the glass front cover must be sealed so heat does not escape, and dirt, insects or humidity do not get into the collector. The collector housing is highly insulated at the back and sides, keeping heat losses low. The glass cover faces the sun; this helps prevent convection losses and reduces heat radiation from the absorber into the environment in a similar way as a greenhouse does. However, the glass also reflects a small part of the sunlight, which does not then reach the absorber at all. The figure below shows the processes occurring at a flat-plate collector.

Unwanted Honey Bees
Maya stingless honey bees, Melipona beecheii, or simply meliponini, make honey that tastes like a mix of sweet and sour with a hint of fruit. The taste comes from plant resins that bees use to build their hives and honey pots. They make their honey in round sacks of black wax rather than honeycombs. They are cultured today, especially in Mexico and Australia, because of their good taste. Traditionally known as Xunan kab, meaning royal or noble lady bee, the Mayas cultured them not only for honey but for use in religious ceremonies. Some Mayas still keep meliponini - for honey and for pets. Found in the jungle in logs, the Mayas cut both ends of the logs and seal them; the bees enter and leave their nest by very small holes in the side of the log. But when they nest in your walls and the honey drips down the wall and on to the floor it means that the nest has probably been there several years and it's time to get rid of them.

Low-Impact Tourism: The Mayan Sky Canopy Tour
Imagine looking down on birds, zipping over the South Stann Creek River in one of southern Belize's newest low-impact tourism attractions! If you want a unique and safe nature tour, one that offers true panoramic vistas of the rich tropical forests of Belize, go visit Canopy Course and Jungle Tours Ltd. situated behind and between the oceans of banana fields of Maya King Farms at Mile 21 on the South Stann Creek Highway. The owners, Cesar Godinez and Tim Sise recently relocated their former Toledo Blue Creek Zipline to its current location, inaugurating the zipline at its new venue in December 2016. Cesar is no novice for this specialized type of construction, this zipline being the 5th facility that he has created in Belize. Cesar also owns/operates Belize Custom Treehouse Builders; visit to that website (see ad this page) and you will note the overlapping skill sets for these sister businesses. There are an estimated 9 or 10 ziplines currently scattered around Belize - mainly Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, and one in Sand Hill, northern Belize District.

Blogo Bananas in Belize
In other parts of the world, the banana variety known as "blogo" banana in Belize, goes by other names. Bluggoe is most common. In Kriol they are called wail plantain or waika banana. Other names are burro, horse, square cooker, chunky or hog banana. By any name used, they are all heliconia plants from the banana family. Blogos are similar to the Pisang Awak variety banana. The official name of this banana variety is Orinoco as it is believed to have originated in Venezuela's Orinoco Valley. Orinoco bananas have spread to many tropical countries, especially Burma, East Africa, Grenada, Southern India, the Philippines, Samoa, Thailand and Central America. They are also a popular hardy banana variety suited to South Florida. Blogo bananas are hardy, pest resistant, and can survive cool or blasting heat. They are easily identified by a chunky, stubby, slightly square shape and grow to about eight to ten inches long and at least two inches across with blunt ends. Blogos are productive and often grow over fifty bananas on each stem. The thick strong peel is a vivid dark green which gradually ripens to a yellowish- brown without splitting.

Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World.
By Joel Salatin, Book Review By Chris Harris.If you ride around on a huge combine harvester, keep thousands of chickens in a mass feeding coop or spray chemicals all over big fields, this book shows alternative methods of farming for you. After all it is written by a man who describes himself as a Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic. Joel Salatin is one of the foremost advocates of ethical and responsible farming. He has traveled widely around the world, lecturing at universities and talking to farming groups. The book uses the American mass farming model to show the failings of corporate farming and food production. Salatin uses a lifetime of experience on his own farm in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia USA to point out and explain how a better way of raising food is possible without sacrificing ethical treatment of animals or food quality and using environmentally benign treatment of waste.

How to Grow Vanilla
It's easy to grow a vanilla vine. Actually producing vanilla beans on that vine is a bit more complicated, but still not hard. Vanilla just needs different treatment from all other plants. Here's the short version: Vanilla is a vine that grows up something usually a tree. It has roots that hold it on to the tree and they gather some nutrients for the plant, but it has more feeder roots along the top of the soil, under the mulch. Vanilla roots don't grow down into the soil much. Vanilla grows better in a fair bit of shade. To get beans (or pods, which is the more accurate word, but most people say beans), you need to do a few more things. Keep the vine growing in an area you can reach it, manage shade, and hand-pollinate the flowers when they come. See? Nothing difficult. Get a cutting from a healthy vine, approximately 1 meter long. Cut the leaves off the bottom half of the vine. It's okay if your cutting lays somewhere in the shade for a week or so at this point. In places with fungal problems farmers air-dry cuttings in the shade for a few days before planting.

AG Briefs
BLPA's AGM will be held on Saturday February 25th. See Ad pg 41 On March 4th , 2017, there will be a cattle auction featuring cattle from several leading ranches, held at Joe Friesen Jr's corral in Iguana Creek. Please see ad on pg 22 for details. The Chocolate Festival of Belize will be held on Commonwealth Day weekend, May 19th, 20th & 21st, 2017. For information on sponsorships, booths and tickets see page 38. The National Agriculture & Trade Show of 2017 will be held on April 28th, 29th & 30th with the theme, "Let's Get Growing". Kindly see the ad on pg 26 for details to reserve your booth.

IICA Supports the Institutional Strengthening of the Pesticide Control Board
The Pesticide Control Board (PCB) is the main statutory body responsible for regulating the use and management of pesticides in Belize. There are currently 565 pesticide formulations registered for use in Belize and listed in the official register of pesticides, containing some 193+ active ingredients. Registration, surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of the responsible use and management of so many pesticides is no small task for the staff at PCB. Its importance is underscored considering that agriculture plays an important role in Belize's economy, contributing almost 13% to GDP, and employing about 10% of the population at the end of 2015. Belize has increased its use of pesticides and other agro-chemicals over the years due to more intensification and commercial development of agricultural production systems, the need to increase productivity and deal with pests and disease problems, and to become more competitive in both internal and external markets.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #36-May 2017 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!

GOD BUSH CONTROL PROGRAM IN CITRUS
Struthanthus orbicularis is one of the various parasitic weed that reproduces on citrus in Belize. Most commonly known as God bush or "Mata Palo" in Spanish. God bush can be reproduced by seeds and plant tissues, the spread from tree to tree is mainly by birds, human and farm machinery. Inadequate management of God bush forces trees to compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients. The growth aggressiveness of God bush can cover trees foliage rapidly causing and ideal micro climate within trees suitable for fungal diseases, subsequently leaf drop, die back of branches and final death of trees. Chemical control methods for God bush has damaged trees if sprayed direct, most command method implemented to control have been pruning of infested branches. A herbicide trial was conducted to control S. orbicularis on orange trees at Cool Shade, Cayo District, Belize C.A. from the 18th January to 7th April, 2017.

Old Crops Become New Underutilized Native Crops: Sweet Potatoes
The problem in food shortage, even with the technology that has been developed over the decades, continues to rise. In 1975 the deficit in food availability worldwide was 12 million metric tons; in the 1990's it had surpassed 85 million metric tons. Today it is closer to 100 million metric tons. The crops with the most acreage or tonnage produced in the world are wheat, rice, corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes, presented in order of importance. Of the aforementioned crops, sweet potatoes have achieved the highest yields per acre in farm trials. Of all the roots and tubers consumed in the world sweet potatoes take second place just behind potatoes. Approximately 46 million acres of potatoes are produced in the world and about 34 million acres of sweet potatoes. Asia grows 92 percent of the total acreage of sweet potatoes. It is one of the few crops that can be grown from sea level up to 6000 feet about sea level.

Dear Editor:
I am writing to share the importance of the visit we had by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, MIT scientist, who presented to the Pesticides Control Board and the general public, "Why Glyphosate Should Be Banned, Globally." Representatives for seven sponsoring organizations including Belize Organic Family Farming, Pro-Organic Belize, Belize Wellness Institute, Belize Botanical Gardens, Plenty Belize, Sustainable Harvest International of Belize, and Southeast Watershed Alliance Group (SWAG) made presentations to the Pesticides Control Board Review Committee on August 30, 2016 requesting the PCB review and prohibit the importation of glyphosate, and all its formulations (some 19) currently imported into Belize. We were instructed to base our presentations on peer-reviewed studies. This means that a group of scientists must vet the science behind the study, and deem it to be based on scientific fact.

Update on Missouri farmer, J.R. Bollinger of Missouri, USA: See Carbon-Smart Corn article, Issue #34, November 2016
We have some news about farmer, J.R. Bollinger of Missouri, USA, whose biological methods for large-scale farming were the subject of the Carbon-Smart Corn article, reprinted from Acres USA magazine, in our November 2016 Issue #34 (pg 5). This article's length greatly exceeded our usual article size, but because it was so nutrient-dense with exciting applications used in a large conventional row-crop farm, we could not resist sharing it. Recently David Yarrow, the author of that article, shared some information regarding Bollinger's farm and costs. He said that by cutting his fertilizer bills by 50%, Bollinger saved over US$100 per acre (US$100,000) on input costs; we are unable to translate that to Belize dollars because landed costs here would include freight and duty. Bollinger's $100,000 USD savings on former input costs is worth a further look. For his 2016 corn crop, Bollinger used the same carbon-smart methods, planting with the same 6 inch strips as in 2015, and still with 50% fertilizers (compared to 2014 use). He harvested 330 bushels (18,480 lbs) per acre in 2016 and had the #1 yield for corn for the state of Missouri.

The Dairy Industry in Spanish Lookout An Interview with Frank Friesen and Ernie Thiessen
If a Belizean dairy farmer wants to rapidly improve his herd's genetics, he has 3 choices: live dairy cattle importation, artificial insemination, or embryo transfer. The first dairy bull of some merit brought into Spanish Lookout was a Holstein, flown in from Pennsylvania about 50 years ago, by Joe Friesen, Sr. Many high-producing, locallyborn acclimated cows resulted. Belizean dairy farmers have learned that animals born in Belize will out-produce almost any imported blood-lines, and so have moved for the most part to artificial insemination (AI) and now are moving to embryo transfers as a more affordable alternative to importing single animals. Also, percentages have increased to make each resulting animal more affordable.

Beyond the Backyard: What on Earth?
My friend recently hurt his back and was prescribed some pretty heavy- duty unpronounceable medication that was also very expensive. He asked me if I knew of holistic alternatives. I suggested these potent pain killers: bone broth full of glucosamine; turmeric (yellow ginger) as it contains curcumin which is an anti- inflammatory; capsaicin (from chili pepper) which decreases pain signals to the brain and 'tuna' which contains taurine. "Tuna!! What on earth!" I was not referring to tuna fish but a cactus Jamaicans call tuna and we in Belize call nopal or prickly pear.

A Case for Changing Agriculture in Belize
In the early 1970's, the late Earl L. Butz, 18th US Secretary of Agriculture, famously said, " Before we go back to organic agriculture in this country, somebody must decide which 50 million Americans we are going to let starve or go hungry." This came at a time when the American biologist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug was pioneering the Green Revolution at the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Ma�z y Trigo (CIMMYT) in Mexico. The Green Revolution brought about significant increases in the yield of a select few agricultural crops through the adoption of various new technologies including, but not limited to, high yielding grain varieties, advanced irrigation systems and the extensive usage of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Ironically, this relatively new form of farming became known as "conventional" and traditional methods of farming were placed under the blanket term "organic" and, in many circles, became a testy topic of conversation.Organic agriculture became an ideology, one that had to give way to the banner of scientific innovation. In a flare of reductionism, the ultimate goal of conventional agriculture became higher yields per unit area.

BEL-CAR Updates
As we go to press, the bean harvest in Spanish Lookout, Cayo District is in progress. Bel-Car states that there is less acreage in black-eyes for this season, possibly up to 50% less, for several reasons. Roughly 12,000 (100 lb) bags of corn were harvested by Bel- Car farmers. 'A' grade corn price for Spanish Lookout has been listed as N/A - not available - on our centerfold Prices at a Glance page, for quite some time, as it is not sold in bulk, but rather used in the production of high quality corn meal.

National Coconut Stakeholders Platform Meets in Blue Creek, Orange Walk District
On Friday 31 March, the NCSP had its bimonthly meeting at the coconut farm of Sergio and Tina Marraquin. Almost all of the 12 original committee members plus many visitors who were all interested in learning more about the potentials of coconut farming in Belize made the trek to the remote Mennonite village in the northwest corner of Belize. Mr. Manuel Trujillo, Crops Coordinator of Central Farm called the meeting to order, and Ms. Omaira Avila, our (relatively) new Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) country representative took the reins of the meeting. As CARDI is officially appointed as the 'focal point', contracted to manage and fulfill the agronomical part of this Bz$5 M project, Ms. Avila reminded the group throughout the morning of the various tasks needing to be accomplished before the ending of this project in January of 2019.

National Agriculture and Trade Show
The 47th annual National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) was opened on Friday 28th April under the theme "Let's Get Growing". The opening ceremony was highlighted by keynote addresses by University of Belize's new president Dr. Clement Sankar; and Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Godwin Hulse; and by the presentation of the Farmers of the Year awards. Male Farmer of the Year went to Mr. Gary Canto of Cayo District; Female Farmer of the Year was Ms. Mirva Flowers of Toledo District, and Junior Farmer of the Year was awarded to Mr. Santiago Gutierrez of Cayo District. NATS chairman Mr. Gary Ramirez estimated that close to 40,000 people visited the 3 day fair, which concluded on Sunday 30th April, at the newly renovated show grounds in Belmopan.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in the Sugar Industry
On April 12, 2017 the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the Government of Belize (GOB) and the European Union (EU) held a first-of-its-kind Integrated Pest and Disease Management Seminar at SIRDI's headquarters in Buena Vista Village, Corozal District. A total of 185 stakeholders, including sugarcane farmers, sugarcane farmers associations, community leaders, students and NGOs, attended. Many farmers and stakeholders from the northern sugar belt are now well-versed and prepared to tackle the main pest in the sugarcane field known as the froghopper.

AgScience for Better Crops: Plant Disease Management
Agriculture in Belize has experienced a rapid expansion and diversification of crop production. Such changes come with increased challenges that growers have no control over and must learn to adopt and implement effective management practices. Currently the increase of pest and diseases remain a major threat to crop production. Moreover, there are main factors contributing to plant disease management, which include 1) the demand for safe and diverse food to support the growing population, 2) reduced agriculture production, 3) ecology of agro-ecosystem deterioration and natural resource depletion, and 4) increased disease epidemics from agricultural intensification and monocultures (He et al, 2016)

Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility Course
In the last days of February, Neal Kinsey arrived at University of Belize's College of Agriculture at Central Farm to present his Intro 2 course on soil fertility using the Kinsey-Albrecht system. This was Neal's 3rd teaching trip to Belize, and many of the participants had already attended one or both of his previous courses here. One of those repeating farmers said to Neal at the conclusion of the final class day, "Neal, you are changing the face of agriculture in Spanish Lookout". What higher accolade can be given to our friend Neal? Other student comments on the annual surveys which asked, "What did you gain from this course?" included: "a better understanding of the complex interaction among elements and soil types and water", Dottie Feucht.

Weed Control Using a Grit-Blaster
Weed scientist and USDA agronomist, Frank Forcella of Minnesota, U.S. solved two problems with one invention that he calls "PAGMan". The first problem was how to get rid of the pits from his bumper crop of apricots; the second was how to get rid of weeds in row crops. He says that combining those two into a single solution seemed silly at first but he and colleague, Dean Peterson, at the USDA North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minnesota, bought a cheap sand blaster and started some simple experiments in a greenhouse. Their initial work involved growing weeds next to a corn plant; when the corn was about six inches tall and the weed was about one to three inches tall, the researchers blasted both with a split-second application of grit.

The Mighty Ceiba - Tree of Life
After Hurricane Earl took down our favorite birding tree, our "Giving Tree," we began to pay more attention to the ceiba tree that had been hiding behind, but stood strong through the storm. This particular tree is rooted at the base of the hill below us which gives us the unusual perspective of a peek into the upper branches of this fascinating tree. Over time we watched the tree drop its leaves, then bloom with delicate pink flowers that attracted many kinds of birds and wildlife. We then watched the blooms turn to small buds, then larger pods that have now burst open, releasing puffs of cottony clouds, filled with seeds. We have seen squirrels and kinkajous feasting on the pods and birds taking the kapok for their nests. It strikes me how few seeds from this tree actually make it to a proper place for germination. At first the tree was bursting with flowers, thousands of them. Many of the flowers were eaten or knocked off before being allowed to progress to the next stage. Once the small buds evolved, they became irresistible to all manner of creatures. Those buds that survived the feasting and grew to maturity still had to fight off the squirrels and toucans who continued to eat them, sometimes taking entire pods and often dropping them to the ground.

BLPA Holds AGM
The 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Belize Livestock Producers' Association (BLPA) was held on 25th February, 2017, at their headquarters, Mile 47.5 George Price Highway. Mr. Abdala Bedran gave the welcoming remarks, which preceded Dr. Henry Canton's Chairman's Address. BLPA General Manager Ms. Elba Cruz also shared remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Minister Godwin Hulse.

Cattle Auction in Spanish Lookout
The March 4, 2017 cattle auction was a great success; 37 head of cattle and 3 horses were sold. We were privileged to have some Blue Creek producers bring a load of excellent breeding stock from there as well. There were 15 different owners selling cattle. The cattle were sold to 22 different buyers. Again I estimate more than 300 people came out for the event; 56 individuals registered to buy. People came from all over the country and also Peten, Guatemala. One bull was sold to a Guatemalan buyer. Weather was perfect: overcast with just a little bit of rain but not so much as to really interfere with the auction. Country Meats served us with a delicious steak for lunch.

An Overview of Land Taxes on Agricultural Property Past, Present and Future
In 2003 the government of Belize (GOB) took a serious look at land taxes, with regard to updating them. Many felt that the existing rates were too high for agricultural/productive sector lands and that owners were discouraged from further agricultural development on them. In 2004, Minister Fonseca signed Land Act No. 5 of 2004, which amended the Land Tax Act, Chapter 58. As well as amending the rates (see chart below from Land No. Act 5), it also redefined several categories which are also covered in the amending act. The law of 2004 included clarifications such as the following new definitions:

Industrial Hemp as Weed Killer
New scientific studies claim that glyphosate, found in Monsanto's Roundup® weed killer as well as in other pesticides, is causing serious health problems wherever it is used. These include but are not limited to: reproductive issues, birth defects, diabetes, autism, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, liver disease, as well as intestinal, digestive, kidney, and autoimmune disorders. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's recent report stating that glyphosate is a probable cause of cancer has made this a priority issue in farming communities throughout Belize.

The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water
Book Review By Chris Harris. "The golden age of water is over". That is the message of this comprehensive account of how we have taken water for granted over many decades. The fact is that 1.1 billion people of us do not have access to clean safe drinking water, and another 1.8 billion people do not have access to water in their homes. These are statistics [book published 2011] which should give us all pause for thought. And before we shrug those numbers off as a third world problem, we are reminded that Las Vegas, Los Angeles and large areas of American farmland are also threatened, not just with shortages, but rationing and even running out of water altogether. So this book really is a wake up call to us all.

Berries of Belize Part 1: Solanum Nigrum AKA Hierba Mora
The Mayas call it chayuk, but the Spanish, emphasizing both the leaf and the fruit in the name they gave it, called it mora after the Spanish word for blackberry or mulberry. In English we have been calling the fruits blueberries or wild huckleberries which they resemble more than either fruit in the mora category. A more correct English translation is nightshade; however since there are many nightshades, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant, that name doesn't narrow it down much. But let's not worry much about names and turn to culture and usage. Indeed, useful and under-appreciated, hierba mora is a plant bearing both edible leaves and fruit. Hierba mora is normally not cultivated; it grows wild, often coming up on burnt land and plowed land and growing profusely, winter and summer. You can recognize this "weed" which grows to a small bush bearing blue-black berries, by the distinctly purple underside of the leaves. However, the seeds from the ripe berries can be sown in trays and planted in a garden about 3 feet apart. Like other nightshade plants, they are an annual plant which can be planted any time weather conditions are favorable. They do not fruit according to a season. For planting in a garden, both summer and winter work well.

Coffee in San Vicente Toledo District
Approximately 8 miles northwest from Jalacte, Toledo District, and resting in the hills along the Belize- Guatemalan border, sits the quiet off-the-grid village of San Vicente, a primarily Maya Ketchi community of about 35-40 family farms, where cultivation of black beans, organic cacao and the recent addition of organic coffee are the mainstays. Efrain Caal, local farmer and TCGA (Toledo Cacao Growers Association) extension officer, met us as we arrived in the community and introduced us to Marcus Kal, one of the leading farmers of the newly formed San Vicente Coffee Growers. In 2006 Marcus started transforming a completely cleared hillside, previously a cattle pasture, into an organic multi-cropped orchard.

The Wonders of Green Coffee
Several years ago I wrote an article for the Belize Ag Report about the benefits of used coffee grounds in the garden. In this article I would like to talk about green coffee and the reported health care properties. The coffee and its beans have a reputation as a dark, rich drink that many enjoy for its "pick me up" property in the morning and during the day. The beans must be roasted to achieve the desired effect and flavor. Unfortunately during the roasting process many of the benefits which occur naturally are lost. The Arabica coffee plant produces two hard green seeds or beans per coffee "cherry". These are fermented, cleaned, dried and bagged. Now they are ready for the roaster. In this form, green, coffee is very medicinal.

Senior Scientist and Professor from MIT Visits Belize
It was a rare privilege to welcome Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Senior Research Scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. and her husband, Dr. Victor Zue, Director of International Relations, CSAIL and former director of the lab. Dr. Seneff's recent focus on the role of toxic chemicals and micronutrient deficiencies in health and disease, with a special emphasis on glyphosate and the mineral sulfur brought in-depth scientific knowledge to our understanding. Having authored over two dozen peer-reviewed journal papers over the past few years on these topics, she shared her findings on KREM and LOVE TV, and in presentations in Spanish Lookout and University of Belize College of Agriculture at Central Farm (UB/CF) and to Belize's Pesticide Control Board (PCB) as input to their re-registration and review process.

Inga Alley Cropping: An Innovative Method for Sustainable Agriculture
Many people have recently been asking the question of how to provide food for the growing Belizean population and protect the livelihoods of farmers while also maintaining the natural resources that attract tourists, providing jobs to a large number of Belizeans. How can we most efficiently use the land that is being farmed to produce a high yield without constantly needing to expand further into forested areas that benefit the agriculture industry and the country? Part of the solution may lie in inga alley cropping, a farming method that is being introduced to Belize after decades of testing at the Inga Foundation in Honduras. Whereas the traditional slash-and-burn practice involves rotating fields and has led to increased deforestation in some areas, inga alley cropping can be used to grow annual crops on the same piece of land for twenty years without the application of chemicals.

AG BRiefs
In March 2017, Belize welcomed back Dr. Gabriel Rodr�guez Marqu�s, a citizen of Uruguay, as the new country representative for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Dr. Rodr�guez Marqu�s served as country representative in 2009 to 2010 during which period he supported the tourism sector study which led to the development of a tourism master plan for Hopkins.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #37-Aug 2017 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

Biochar Implementation in Agricultural Systems of Belize
By Gerardo Ofelio Aldana. In addition to pressures to adapt to climate change, agricultural production demands include innovative and effective solutions to balance both food production and environmental sustainability (Lehmann and Joseph, 2015). Volatility in agricultural commodities, in parallel with population growth, have initiated an alarming concern as to whether the rates of agricultural production will be able to meet its future food demands. Recent years have shown an improvement in agricultural productivity, but future demands are uncertain, especially in light of environmental factors such as climate change (Sands et al., 2014). The climate problem is now extremely large and is drastically affecting our food production systems. What the future needs is solutions that will counteract a myriad of problems all�

Old Crops Become New: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batata) Part 2
By Santiago Juan. An Underutilized Root Sweet potato is a plant grown for its tuberous roots in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate regions. As mentioned in the last Belize Ag Report, issue 36, sweet potato is cultivated for food in more than 100 countries, sometimes as a staple food but usually as an alternative food. All varieties of sweet potato are a good source of vitamins and minerals. In East Africa, the sweet potato is known as "the protector of children" because it is often the only food that stands between a child's survival and starvation. A fast-maturing perennial plant, it is grown mainly as an annual. The roots are adventitious, mostly located within the top 25�

Belmopan Weekend Farmers' Market at NATS Grounds
By Sally Thackery. The new pavilions at the Belmopan showgrounds are now open on Saturdays and Sundays for local farmers to sell their products to the public. Opening day, Saturday July 29, was lively and well-attended, by both the public and the market sellers. Big thanks to CEO Jose Alpuche and Show Grounds Coordinator Gary Ramirez for such a bright vision for this property at the entrance to Belmopan. The entire showgrounds have been cleaned up, mowed, landscaped with beautiful plants and vendor stalls have been colorfully painted. These detailed improvements also include a new entrance gate, bathrooms in all sections and designated parking areas.In addition to fresh vegetables, the market offers dry goods, eco-friendly cleaning products, fruit trees, flowering�

SIRDI EU IPDM Project: Metarhizium anisopliae Production to Control Froghopper in Sugar Cane
By Jeffy Gomez, Luciano Chi, Luis Gongora and Jian Cob. Froghopper is considered a major pest in sugarcane; every crop cycle it affects sugarcane farmers by increasing control costs while decreasing productivity. The problem is especially serious with the elimination of the preferential market for Belize's sugar. Hence, it is of great importance to start adapting more environmentally-friendly controls by deterring the use of chemicals and meeting standards set by the Fairtrade market. With the assistance of the European Union (EU), the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the project entitled "Strengthening of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in the Sugar Industry" is being implemented in the northern sugar belt. The�

Beyond the Backyard: Suck Your Way to Health
By Jenny Wildman. I came across an article about a strange fruit that can boost your brain function - something all seniors think of when they cannot remember names or misplace their glasses. The picture was that of the fruit known here as kenep, kinnip or guayo. The deciduous, polygamous kenep tree is part of the soapberry family along with logan, rambutan and lychee, all cousins to the northern chestnut. The scientific name is Melicoccus bijugatus commonly referred to as Spanish lime, quenepa, genip, chennet, talpajocote and mamoncillo from the verb mamar to suck. Kenep trees are native to South America and the Island of Margarita and also found in drier woodlands and gardens of the Caribbean and Central America.�

2016 Domestic Export Trade Data Disaggregation

Rice: Circle R's Contribution to Food Security in Belize
By Jeffrey Maga�a. The highest priority for Circle R Products Limited, a farmer-owned business, is food security for Belize. Their newest product, Dalla Rice, was recently introduced to provide a 14 oz. package of grade A rice for $1. Harvest for Kids is grade A premium rice; Jade is grade B; Ruby, grade C and Topaz, grade D. The Harvest for Kids product is named for the socially responsible project it supports. A percentage of the sale of all Harvest for Kids rice goes to support Belize Camping Experience in Belize City, summer Bible camps and work with kids in schools throughout the city. We believe that if our children are inspired today, our country can become a better place.�

Fusarium spp.: An Important Disease of Soybeans
By Felix Cawich, Agronomist, M.Sc. Worldwide, soybean is considered an important crop for the production of oil and as a source of protein for people and animals. In addition, it´s now being used for biodiesel production. According to the Worldwide Web Foundation (WWF), soybean production has grown 10 times in the last 50 years, covering over one million square kilometres. The increasing production area, like the increase in yield of monocultivation, has also led to higher presence of disease in soy plantations. Furthermore, the varying climate may favor rapid development of diseases. Important Diseases Diseases originating from different microorganisms can cause blights, cankers, rots, rusts, wilts and others, causing damage to different parts of the plant at any given growth�

Fertility Needed for Growing Pastures and Hay
By Neal Kinsey. When the requirements for life-giving soil fertility to provide abundant plant growth and robust animal health are accurately considered, far too many pastures and hay fields used for livestock production are seriously lacking. Testing the soils in pastures and meadows has sadly proven this to be true far too often, even when only the absolute minimum nutrient content for those soils is considered. To treat your animals right you have to treat your soils right. Anything less and you rob from the total potential of life-giving principles for your soil, the plants grown there, the livestock that consume them and the products that are provided as a result. When soils are not cared for correctly, it is�

Modern Water Wisdom: An Interview
AUTHOR JUDITH SCHWARTZ EXAMINES WATER MANAGEMENT Reprinted with permission from Acres USA magazine, Vol.47, No.6 Interview: Author Judith Schwartz Examines Water Management

Homemade Health - Why and How to Use Essential Oil - Part 1
By Marguerite Fly Bevis, RN, BSN. This article, part 1 of a 2 part article on essential oils, describes their basic properties and why they are used. Part 2 will describe how to use them. Essential oils, the quintessential essence of medicinal plants, have been used by man for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. They are mentioned in the Bible at least 600 times. Thirty-three different oils are mentioned. Essential oils are the original medicine upon which modern medicine is based. Birch and wintergreen contain salicylic acid, the same component in aspirin but essential oils are easier on the body and present fewer, if any, side effects, whereas modern medicines can have many, some of which can be more�

Belize Strengthening Partnerships by Applying "One Health"
By Dr. Joe Myers, DVM, BAHA. Medical and veterinary officers from Belize were trained to collaborate using "One Health" strategies in zoonotic and food-borne disease surveillance, diagnosis and preparedness and response, through a comprehensive two-year professional development programme, the One Health Leadership Series (OHLS). The OHLS is part of the regional One Health, One Caribbean, One Love Project, implemented by the University of the West Indies (UWI), School of Veterinary Medicine. The One Health project was funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by the ACP Science and Technology Programme (S&T II), in collaboration with the 'Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Project', of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme coordinated by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).�

Control Postbloom Fruit Drop in Citrus Production
By Edwin Gomez, Raymond Arnold, David Saraiva and Davilmar Avilez.

Maya Mountain Heirloom Cacao
What Makes Belizean Cacao So Special? Understanding Genetics of Belizean Cacao Beans By Dan O'Doherty & Minehaha Forman. In the rapidly growing world of specialty craft chocolate, Belize has earned its place among the fine flavored origins of cacao. Known for its unique fruity/caramel flavor, Belize cacao has won numerous awards in recent years. Cacao beans originating from Maya villages in the Toledo district of Belize and processed by Maya Mountain Cacao, Ltd (MMC) recently received an heirloom designation from the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA). The cacao sample was made into chocolate and blind-tasted by a panel of nine veteran chocolate companies including Guittard, Valrhona, and Felchlin. Panelists universally praised the sample for its overall high quality, as�

Cannabis Hemp Building Materials
By Karin Westdyk. James Savage, a New York business analyst, was greatly disturbed after learning about mold problems making thousands of New Orleans homes uninhabitable after hurricane Katrina, and of the thousands killed in Haiti, crushed by their own homes during an earthquake. He searched for solutions and came up with a material that has been around for thousands of years and started a company to create building materials made from mold resistant, stronger-than-steel cannabis hemp. Hempcrete The outer portion of the hemp stalk has a long history of use for producing paper, fabric, rope and sails (the word canvas comes from the word cannabis), but Savage discovered that hemp chips made from the woody interior of the cannabis plant�

Nematodes - Friend and Foe
by Mary Loan. Nematodes are non-segmented worms that live everywhere on the planet, including in ice and snow to the depths of the ocean and even in arid deserts. They are most abundant in tropical regions of the world, like Belize. Other names they are known as include: eel worms, thread worms, root knot worms. There are thousands of identified species of nematodes with estimates of about one-half million varieties to be 'discovered', studied and named. Most nematodes are almost invisible to the human eye and are less than 1 mm, or 1/125 of an inch in length. There are generally thousands of nematodes in a handful of soil, over one million in a spadeful, and as many as three�

The Humanure Handbook - A Review by Chris Harris
This is the book no one would publish. Why? Because it deals in some detail with a subject distasteful to some, uncomfortable to others and "something we just don't talk about " to yet more. So the author, Joseph Jenkins, published it himself. And in the process he did us all a big favour. OK, so what is this "taboo subject"? Well it deals with the subject of the ecological disposal of human waste. At first glance the author's ideas amount to little more than an advanced view of the "bucket and chuck it" approach used in many rural areas of the world already. But here comes the rub. Jenkins applauds the "bucket" idea, but strongly challenges the "chuck it"�

Dear Veggie Detective
Dear Veggie Detective, Would you please investigate the mystery of the white-centered tomato? Why do some tomatoes have white centers and others are all red and tasty? Signed, Tomato Lover Dear Tomato Lover, Your mystery is solved! Tomatoes with white centers have a deficiency in potassium, an element abbreviated as K because phosphorus was assigned the letter P. Basic fertilizers that you buy have three main elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and are designated in 3 numbers which corresponds to these three elements. If your soil doesn't need N or P you can buy elemental potassium fertilizer. Potassium will give you not only the nice red color on your tomatoes but bigger fruit�

Ag Briefs
UB CF announces that the next Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility 3 day course will be held the week of August 27th (note this has been changed from the dates in the previous Ag Report). This will be a repeat of the very well-received Intro 2 Course given in February. To register, contact David Thiessen at 670-4817 or [email protected]. Limited registration. Avocados reached the highest prices in the US over 19 years early this summer, at $28 USD/10 kilos, due to lowered yields caused by bad weather and other problems in the main producing countries of Mexico (strikes), Peru (floods), Chile (droughts) and the US (California droughts). Avocado as colorant: Researchers at Penn State, USA, inadvertently discovered that avocado�

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #38-Sep 2017 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.

Unleashing the Potential of Under-utilised Crops: Breadfruit By Santiago Juan
Belize has been blessed with edible landscapes. Take breadfruit, or masapan in Spanish, for example. In Belize you can see breadfruit growing in all our districts. In both northern districts you see old trees still producing well in very calcareous soils; in southern Belize large trees can be seen in low lying areas and brackish water like in Hopkins Village or along the Sittee River, a testament to the great adaptation ability of this humble plant. Most Belizeans have eaten breadfruit at least once in their lifetime; yet it is probably the most underutilized crop growing in Belize. Nowadays, it is attracting the attention of gourmets and some Caribbean countries are making small shipments to the United States, Canada and�

To The Editor
Dear Editor, Yes, I love that you have both print and online versions and really love the Ag Report! It's been such a great tool to find people and places that provide needed materials. It's so helpful for us as far as providing information about local/medicinal plants and growing/processing methods in tropical conditions. I think my favorite part is that it includes the voice of so many people and allows them to respectfully share their opinions, information and the diverse projects that are happening in their areas. Thanks for all of your hard work and efforts to bring to light the wealth of knowledge here! Cissy Stanko, Rancho Dolores, Belize District

Cheese Making By Nadege Thomas
Our average milk production varies from 2 pints to half a gallon per goat so during milking season, we can get anywhere from 4 to 6 gallons of milk per day; it takes about 2 gallons of milk to yield one to one-and-a-half pounds of cheese, depending on the cheese being made. While Eber, our livestock manager, and I were busy putting the herd together, our construction crew built a "cheese house", a special place for me to make the cheeses, et voila! "La Fromagerie" at Mystic River Resort was born. We have been supplying all the cheeses and yogurt for the resort ever since, and have even recently added a "Wine & Cheese Tasting" palapa for our guests to sample some of our creations. We offer the tasting by appointment only and it truly is a lot of fun.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade - Trade Opportunities with Cuba
By John Rivero Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), the Honourable Patrick Faber, made an official visit to the Republic of Cuba from 22nd to 26th of May 2017. The objective of this state visit was to strengthen a bi-lateral relationship with Cuba. He was accompanied by a delegation of ten from the Government of Belize which included ministers, CEOs, directors, and Ambassador Burns accredited to Cuba. Belize and Cuba have always had good relations but bi-lateral trade and investment have been almost insignificant despite an existing trade agreement in place. The CARICOM-Cuba Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (TECA), originally signed by both parties in 2000, was recently re-negotiated with a sScond Protocol to amend the TECA. Belize's trade officials have learnt,�

Beyond the Backyard Aloe: An Excellent Choice By Jenny Wildman
Aloe vera has been revered as a healing plant for centuries and graces gardens throughout the world. The Maya called it the fountain of youth. Others know it as the immortality plant, savila, kumari, first aid plant, Barbados aloe, crocodile tail, lily of the desert, xabila, simple Bible, single Bible and here in Creole sink am Bible, names showing confidence in its power to cure most ailments. There are hundreds of species of aloe but only one proudly carrying the name "true" ie: aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis which is thought closely related to the Aloe perryl endemic to Yemen. Aloe vera originated in northern Africa and is depicted on murals in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs, where it�

AgScience for Better Crops: Plant Nutrition By Felix C. Cawich
All living organisms require nutrients for adequate growth, development and functionality in order to survive. Plants have the capacity to produce their own food through the conversion of light energy into a sugar (glucose), in a process called photosynthesis, which is the base of biomass formation. For this, plants require sufficient light, suitable temperature, substances such as CO2, oxygen and a number of nutrients (FAO, 2006). As plant constituents, nutrients play a vital role in biochemical reactions, and the production of organic material. To obtain high agricultural yields an optimal nutrient program is required, whereby plants absorb nutrients from soil reserves or external sources, where water is the main carrier. Nutrients can be added either to the soil or leaves�

Establishing A Coconut Plantation By George Emmanuel & Omaira Avila Rostant
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a palm that flourishes in tropical and subtropical areas, the fruit of which has many uses; it has been a major ingredient in the diets of many people living on tropical islands, creating a very lucrative industry worldwide. In recent years, the demand for coconut product has increased exponentially. It was reported that from 2008 to 2014 alone the demand for coconut products increased 700%, especially for water, milk, oil, fibres, and cosmetics. Such hasty growth has increased the demand for establishing plantations that can supply the high worldwide demand for coconuts. In Belize this opportunity has encouraged the establishment of acres of coconuts in new plantations. Here are some factors to be considered and recommendations�

Coconut Oil Standards By Dottie Feucht
The coconut oil industry in Belize recently had a big boost in terms of standards and specifications for quality. Standards Officer Lloyd Orellano, from Belize Bureau of Standards, assisted by Omaira Avila Rostant, from Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) presented them on September 28 at Central Farm. Omaira's expertise in growing and processing coconuts filled in experiential details to the standards. Coconut oil comes from the mature kernel of the coconut (Cocos nucifera Linnaeus) by a process of expression (extraction by using pressure), solvent extraction or other approved method of processing. In addition to common standards, such as it must be free from admixture with other oils or fats, there are specific ones for the three types of�

Slow Release Fertilisers from Pyrolysis of Agricultural Residues
Creating Value out of Agricultural residues to Regenerate Soil Fertility By Ingrid Espinoza, Stephen Joseph, Vasco Masias & Felix Froese We thank the International Biochar Initiative and Grupos Alimenta SAC for reprint permission. http://www.biochar-international.org For more about spirulina, see article pg 20 of the PDF of Issue #38

Agriculture Prices at a Glance - November 2017

Homemade Health - Spirulina - Ancient Superfood By Marguerite Fly Bevis RN,BSN
I first learned about Spirulina from Dr. Harold Foster, PhD, who studied medical geography at the University College of London and taught as a professor at University of Victoria for 41 years. I was privileged to hear him speak and in many ways he changed my life that day. He said that his research indicates that by taking spirulina and selenium every day along with a high oxidant diet, the immune system would function properly and many illnesses could be prevented or improved. His work with AIDS and HIV patients in Africa had phenomenal results. Unfortunately, there was little interest in inexpensive treatments so the information was largely ignored. Thankfully today there are people willing to look at alternatives and�

BAHA Shares Cattle News: National Herd Increases 25%
BAHA's Dr. Miguel Depaz shared the following report: "The Cattle Industry is seeing its better days as exports for this year have already reached 4,872 heads and cattle farmers are now getting more that the accustomed .95 cents per pound live weight. Prices reached as high as 3.50 per pound live weight for export and have stabilized at approximately 2.50 per pound live weight. Despite the consistent rate of export the national herd has seen a growth of more than 25%. The national cattle census today is at 126,129 heads. Through the hard work of the Government of Belize, Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the private sector, they have scientifically demonstrated that the national cattle herd is free of�

CARDI Day 2017
Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) CARDI Day 2017 CARDI is turning 43 years assisting the region to develop. It was established in 1974 to serve the agricultural research and development needs of the member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARDI is positioned to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the Caribbean people through research for development that improves the competitiveness and sustainability of regional agriculture. On the 5th of December CARDI Day will be celebrated. This annual event on the institute's calendar is dedicated to building awareness and promoting the work of the institute. A major focus of the day's activities will be the sharing of our research results, impacts and success stories with the general public, partners,�

Aerial Application as a Tool for Increased Efficiency for Pest and Disease Control
By Alan McCracken The application techniques of pesticides has unfortunately not been developed to the same extent as the pesticides themselves. It is well known and recognized that pyrethroid insecticides work by contact and ingestion action and no vapor effect, which means that for good results they must be delivered to the target insect. The alternative is to obtain poor crop coverage and wait for the insects to find the chemical. Firstly let us examine the reason for applying agrochemicals. The answer although obvious is not always understood; it is to protect the genetic potential of the crop being grown. For this reason the chemical products may be more correctly termed plant protection products and our objective should be to�

2017 World Food Day
Part of the talk given by The Honorable Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture, at World Food Day, held at the Belize High School of Agriculture (BHSA) in San Lorazo, Orange Walk District on October 20th, was the same one his father gave to him when he was young. He said that his dad told him to stop saying that he grew rice because he did not make the sun, the soil, or the rain that grows the rice; he was only the manager of what God had given him. His dad also told him not to exploit his fellow man and to leave some in the field for the creatures as food. Minister Hulse said such management is the foundation�

Berries of Belize - Part 2 By Deborah Harder
A good fruit for Northerners, mulberry is reminiscent of northern berries you can't grow here. Mulberries grow on a large bush and can bear abundantly without much care. Actually, up north, they are a neglected fruit, growing perhaps too abundantly and despised in favour of harder-to-grow berries like blueberries. One of life's little ironies, because in my opinion they have a delicious flavour superior to northern blueberries. Mulberry is started from cuttings but can be purchased from your nursery-rooted and ready to plant. For a small family, several bushes should yield enough to can or freeze some. After a crop is harvested the bushes may be pruned of old growth to keep them low and stimulate new growth. Use: when�

Unplanted Bounty By Sally Thackery
Composting is a must for gardeners, and sometimes provides an unexpected bounty. Although I don't remember ever seeing this type of squash, apparently some seeds made their way to my large compost area, because these vines began to appear almost immediately after careful planting of many varieties of vegetable seeds. If you're looking for a way to feed your entire neighborhood or town, this would be your answer. When picked young, these squash don't have to be peeled, but they grow a hard outer shell if left to mature. The young ones are quite tasty, firm with lots of flavor. Just cube and saut� in butter, salt and pepper to let the most flavor shine through. You will need a�

Hemp Food By Karin Westdyk
Food from hemp for humans and animals dates back to the beginning of recorded history, and for thousands of years it was the largest agricultural crop grown worldwide. Hemp was relied on for not only food, but for fuel, fiber, paper, industrial source materials, and medicine. In 1801 Thomas Jefferson, a hemp farmer and third president of the United States, declared, "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country - if people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." Though in the early days, farmers were encouraged to grow�

Bamboos for Belize by Marquita Stanko and Taylor Walker
Bamboos are some of the most useful plant species on earth. There are over 1000 species of bamboo distributed throughout the world that have been used for many practical purposes throughout history such as building shelter, making everyday tools and utensils and even as a food product. Bamboos originate from tropical, subtropical and temperate climates and grow on a wide range of soils. Many of the finest native and non-native bamboo species thrive right here in Belize. Our bamboo project began in 2005 in Rancho Dolores, Belize District with the formation of Tropical Agro-Forestry, Ltd. Our desire was to introduce new varieties in Belize that exhibit exceptional characteristics for use in furniture making, landscaping and interior construction. We began working�

White Flies - Gardeners' Nightmare By Mary Loan
White flies (Thialeurodes vaporariorum) comprise the family Aleyrodidae. They are typically 1/16 inch long, somewhat triangular shaped, soft bodied, flying moth-like white insects which are closely related to aphids and mealy bugs. More than 1550 species of white flies have been identified. By all accounts, they are all considered to be one of the most bothersome, destructive and challenging garden pests to control and, as a result, cost millions of dollars in agricultural losses yearly due to stunted growth and low production of crops and other plant losses world-wide. An infestation of the dreaded insects can be identified by observing the undersides of plant leaves in the garden, green house and plant nurseries. If you note thick swarms of small�

Coconut Coir Production in Cayo at Belize Botanic Gardens By Gayle Zentz
In April of 2016, the owner of duPlooy's Jungle Lodge and Belize Botanic Gardens, Judy duPlooy, decided to convert a local waste product, coconut husks, into something useful - coconut coir. For centuries, many cultures have used coconut fiber for items such as ropes, mats, sacking, upholstery padding and brushes. It's also useful as a mulch and a soil amendment. DuPlooys picks up empty coconut husks from coconut water processors in Cayo District where the coconuts have been harvested and drained of their coconut water. Their MerryMac commercial chipper can process about 1600 coconut husks per hour. There is no waste as everything is used. The coir from their facility is either used at the resort and gardens grounds or�

A Natural History of Belize - Inside the Maya Forest By Samuel Bridgewater
Living in Belize, we hear and read much about the living Mesoamerican reef which lies off our shores, and its prolific wildlife. This is rightly a major tourist attraction and occupies most of our attention when thinking of our country's natural beauty and complexity. This is largely because of its easy accessibility. However another world class natural beauty exists in Belize which does not get the same level of publicity. At 177,000 hectares, one can hardly describe the Chiquibul forest as hidden away, although its lack of accessibility is one of the reasons it has remained relatively undisturbed over the centuries. So it is high time that the Chiquibul take centre stage and be shown for what it is: a world class centre of natural diversity, not matched by many countries around the world. This then is a book that casts a broad light on a little known area of Belize. The Chiquibul is indeed hard to access, and the scientists who have made it their life's work deserve great credit for their perseverance in what is a pretty hostile environment. It is not for nothing that a member of the British Army (BATSUB) told me that this dense forest full of insects, animals and even plants which do not welcome the casual visitor is the toughest jungle training environment in the world.

Ag Briefs
UB CF announces that the next Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility 3 Day course will be held the week of August 27th, 2018. This will be a repeat of the very well-received Intro 2 course given in February. To register, contact David Thiessen at 670-4817 or [email protected]. Mexico's Yucatan state fair, Feria Yucatan, will be held at X'matkuil from 10th November through 3 December, 2017. The cattle opening ceremonies will be on 10th November. Beef master judging starts on the 14th; Brangus and Suizo Europe on 16th; Simmental and Simbrah on 18th; Brahman on 19th; Nelore on 21st; Guzerat on 22nd;Gyr and resena de Sindi on 23rd. Horse classes will be 3rd Dec. More information at feriayucatan.gob.mx CARDI Day - December�

Issue #39 - March 2018 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!
Click HERE to download the PDF

Ramon - Also Known as Maya Nut
Brosimum alicastrum, is a member of the fig/mulberry family can be considered as one of the 'miracle trees' found in our forests. It has over 50 common names but we may know it as Maya Nut, Ram�n tree, or Iximche (Corn Tree). The name Iximche derived from the classical Maya Ixim - corn or grain, and Che - Tree. The Spanish name Ramon derives from the word 'ramonear', meaning 'to forage' and makes reference to one of the widespread uses of the tree as feed for livestock. Maya Nut refers to the seed of the tree and is known as being a nutrient dense food that was a staple in the diet of the Maya civilization.

The Sweet and Sour of Sugar
The latest export figures for 2017 highlight the significance of the sugar industry to the country; 35% ($157.8 Million) of the total national export revenues of $445.6 Million is derived from the exports of sugar (and molasses). The figure in 2016 was only $110 Million, reflecting a substantial 43% increase. With the addition of Santander entering the production phase, the volume of sugarcane production and processing has significantly pushed national output levels. Cumulatively in 2016, the national sugarcane deliveries rose by 24.6% to 1,455,053 long tons, of which the North and Santander accounted for 1,292,515 long tons and 162,538 long tons, respectively.

Beyond the Backyard
By Jenny Wildman - Driving from north to south one can find tall droopy berry trees following the paths of our inhabitants. Considering that the berry tree grows so profusely it is surprising that there is very little information on its taxonomy and uses. In fact, even its name is in question as there are plants of similarity and several varieties within that species. Perhaps we can pull them out of the woodwork and take a closer look.

Homemade Health - Essential Oils - Part 2
Why and How to Use Essential Oils - Part 2 By Marguerite Fly Bevis, RN, BSN This article, part 2 on how to use essential oils, follows part 1 in the Belize Ag Report, August 2017, issue 37, which described the basic properties of essential oils and why they are used. See also Issue 30, November 2015, for background information. There are several ways to use essential oils. Diffusing is a way to "clean the air" as the tiny particulars destroy microbes in the air. Inhaling, simply smelling the drops on a cotton ball for 90 seconds is an easy and safe method. Diluting in a carrier oil such as coconut oil and applying to the skin or affected area�

Industrial Hemp Cultivation in the Tropics
It is important to understand the differences between industrial hemp and marijuana. Technically, industrial hemp and marijuana are from the same plant genus: Cannabis. However, the genetics of industrial hemp and marijuana have evolved from different subspecies and there are many important chemical and physical differences.

Pesticide Import Data 2015-2017
Tables & Charts: Pesticide Import Totals, Top ten most imported pesticides, Total Kg of Active Ingredients - by Year, Total Kg of Active Ingredients - by Class

Energy Production from Organic Waste
Reliable energy is critical to all world governments and available renewable energy production has become a focus of industry worldwide. Belize purchases about 46% of the country's power from Mexico at a cost of $137 million USD per year, 38% from Belize Electric Company Ltd., 2% from Hydro Maya, and 10% from Belize Aquaculture Ltd. Belize Electric Company Ltd., and Hydro Maya produce power from dams that supply hydro power generation.

Spanish Lookout Community Statistics - 2017
Agriculture production statistics chart for the Spanish Lookout Community 2017.

SOS: Save our Soils
Dr. Christine Jones Explains the Life-Giving Link Between Carbon and Healthy Topsoil. To the pressing worldwide challenge of restoring soil carbon and rebuilding topsoil, the Australian soil ecologist Dr. Christine Jones offers an accessible, revolutionary perspective for improving landscape health and farm productivity. For several decades Jones has helped innovative farmers and ranchers implement regenerative agricultural systems that provide remarkable benefits for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, water management and productivity.

Rainfall Reports for 2017
Rainfall reports for 2017 from various agricultural communities and sources, with charts and graphs brought together for us by Dottie Feucht.

Preparing Soil Fertility for New Plantings of Deep Rooted Crops
Preparing new soil for planting can make significant differences in plant growth - some good and some bad - depending on several important, but too often overlooked, considerations. It may be dressed up in one way or another, but taken as a whole, those whose goal is only to sell fertilizer generally use some type of feed the plant program. Too many who offer advice about what fertilizers to use have never been taught to understand any other way!

The Protein Bank - A Project For Cheaper Feed
Like many small farmers, here at White Rock Farm we have heavy feed bills for our poultry, pigs, sheep and goats. We have been looking for ways to mitigate this burden, and came across the idea of a "protein bank". We're also looking for feed which will be more nutritious, more natural, and more sustainable. We're very conscious that we depend heavily on corn and corn derivatives, and corn prices can fluctuate quite a bit.

Seven Miles Women's Group and Farmers Association
November 2017 was an exciting month for the El Progresso (Seven Miles) community located near the Chiquibul National Park; two groups there are grant recipients, beneficiaries of the project entitled, "Promoting Sustainable Natural Resource-based Livelihoods in Belize (PSNRL)" being implemented by the Government of Belize, funded by the Japan Social Development Fund, and administered by the World Bank. The objective of the PSNRL is aimed at "promoting viable and sustainable natural resource-based livelihoods for poor communities in Belize and, thereby, reducing anthropogenic pressures on key natural resources".

Canning Tropical Fruits
The potential abundance of fruit in our tropical climate creates a preservation paradox. You don't "need" to can fruit because with the right effort and planning, you can have some kind of fruit year-round, or nearly so. But when you really have lots of a certain kind, it's hard for the thrifty householder to see it spoil. So we can fruit, stockpiling for the winter that never comes. I have mixed feelings about canning, but I do it, and you can too if you want to.

Sapodilla Trees in Belize
Growing and harvesting sapodilla trees have been an important contribution for nutrition, healing, chicle production, building and boosting the economy of Belize for many centuries. Many birds and animals depend on the sapodilla tree for food and shelter. Sapodilla, also known as naseberry, chicle tree, dilly, chiku or chico. The tree is a hardy, slow-growing, long-living evergreen which can grow in the wild up to one hundred feet in height.

Friesen Cattle Auction
Cattle Auctions in Spanish Lookout are becoming an annual tradition for the Joe Freisen family. Joe Jr and Eva Friesen hosted a successful auction on Saturday, 17th February 2018 at their facility in the Iguana Creek area of Spanish Lookout.

Ag Calendar

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #40 - May 2018 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!
Click HERE to download the PDF

ICDF/TTM Improvement in Sheep
The cattle and poultry industries in Belize just had a boost: sheep. The Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, which began in December, 2015, was to be a 3 year project but due to problems acquiring purebred Barbados Black Belly and Dorper sheep, the project has been extended to December, 2019. Now having acquired 45 local Dorper from breeder/farmer, Amando Carillo in Orange Walk and 29 Dorper and 16 Barbados Black Belly from the U.S., the breeding program began in earnest in the past month. The inauguration ceremony took place on 15 March 2018 at the site of the project at Central Farm with the background baaing of the 125 sheep that were currently housed there.

Carbon Farming
Carbon Farming�what is it? The organization Drawdown (www.drawdown.org) identifies some of the practices that small holders in Belize traditionally practiced as being excellent ways to drawdown carbon. In his book, Carbon Farming, Eric Toeinsmeier identifies some of these practices as "carbon farming". The use of trees, regenerative agriculture, food forests and tropical staple foods are ways farmers can repair damaged soils while reducing vulnerability to climate variability and obtain significant yields over time.

Hierba Mora
Hierba mora, Solanum nigrum (night shade), is a species in the Solanum genus that refers collectively to a wide-ranging group of plants, including poisonous, medicinal, and edible species such as three major crops of global importance: tomato, potato, and eggplant. Hierba mora is not native to Belize but has been in the Americas long enough that it is now naturalized. It is native to Eurasia and was introduced in the Americas, Australasia, and South Africa.

To the Editor
Dear Editors, I was completely unprepared for the swift destruction of rainforest and its rapid conversion to mile after mile of what will soon be irrigated sugarcane fields here in the Cayo district. Within a few short weeks the devastation was complete: GONE! Rainforest� GONE! Animal habitats� GONE! Birds� and as soon as the giant rolls of plastic tubing can be distributed around the fields, gallons and gallons of water from the Belize River will be GONE! The sugar industry will add some jobs to the economy of Belize. However, at what cost? Consider the loss to future generations of the biodiversity of Belize, the additional costs in healthcare due to heavy consumption of sugar and sugar sweetened products, and�

Belize National Citrus Conference
The 105 year old citrus industry had its first-ever national citrus conference held on 18 April 2018 at the host Belagro's Belmopan warehouse of the Big Creek Group of Companies. Belagro's Manager Wilbert Ramclam moderated the very successful event. The forum was attended by 100 or so participants, that included citrus growers, GOB officials, representatives of the processing company, and other stakeholders.

Coconut Water Standards
by Dottie Feucht. In issue 38 of the Belize Ag Report we included a report on the CARICOM regional standards for coconut oil. This is a summary of the standards for natural coconut water which is defined as undiluted, natural, untreated clear liquid endosperm of the coconut without additives. If you buy commercially prepared coconut water labeled Packaged Natural Coconut Water according to these standards you can be sure that the coconuts used were harvested seven to nine months after pollination; that no fallen coconuts were used; that the composition in terms of sugars, acids, fats and ash are within specified range; that the quality in terms of physiochemical and microbiological limits is met; that it is free of contaminants�

Beyond the Backyard
The Humblest of Roots by Jenny Wildman. I have eaten many a root vegetable in soup, stews, boil up, mashed, fried and every which way, some more flavorful than others. In this category I would include beets, carrots, parsnips, salsify, potatoes, yams, turnips, swedes, manglewurzels, taro, cassava and coco yams. Although we may include bulbs, corms, rhizomes and root stems, the true definition of a root vegetable is a taproot or tuberous root. Most of these are considered by many to be the staple foods of the poor not fit for much else than livestock. The humblest of these is the turnip. They grow all over the world but having never seen any in Belize, I was pleasantly surprised to�

Caribbean Food Crops Society to Meet in Belize
The Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS) will celebrate its 54th Annual Meeting from July 8 to 13, 2018 at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City. The theme of this year's meeting is "Multi-functionality of Agriculture in the Caribbean Basin in Countries with Predominant Tourist Industries". Hosting the annual meeting of CFCS in Belize was brought about by a January 2018 meeting between Dr. Wilfredo Colon, Chair and CEO of the CFCS and the Honorable Godwin Hulse and his staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration. The weeklong annual meeting will consist of keynote speeches, scientific presentations, technical sessions, farmers' forums, field trips, and social and cultural activities.

Jackfruit
by Marquito Stanko. With fruits weighing from 10 pounds to over 70 pounds growing from its trunk and lower branches, this tree begs for a second look and in more ways than one! Not only is the jackfruit an amazing fruit to behold, it's also a highly versatile, resilient and nutritious tree crop that is suitable for growing in many areas of Belize. Jackfruit is known scientifically as Artocarpus heterophyllus. There are many common names like jakfruit, jak, jaca, chakka, nangka, langka, khanun, khnor, mak mi and jaqueira to name quite a few. It is in the Moraceae family along with breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), champedak (Artocarpus integer), mulberry (Morus sp.), and fig (Ficus sp.). Native to India, Malaysia and other�

Our Vanishing Wetlands
Roughly half of the world's wetlands are lost, mostly occurring within the past 150 years. Making up only 1.5% of the Earth's surface, wetlands provide about 40% of global ecosystem services. Recent Google Earth© images and drone flights over the Belize River valley reveal very high wetland losses from agriculture, mostly occurring within the past 30 years. We are losing wetlands so rapidly around the world and in Belize because most people do not know what wetlands are, considering them wastelands rather than valuable ecosystems critical to our survival.

2018 National Agriculture & Trade Show
Belize's National Agriculture & Trade Show (NATS) officially opened in Belmopan on Friday 27th April, 2018 under the theme "Let's Get Growing". The Governor General, Sir Colville N. Young, inspected the BDF Guard of Honor, followed by the welcoming address by The Mayor of Belmopan, Mr. Khalid Belisle. Guest speaker Mrs. Sandra Bedran, Managing Director of the Atlantic Bank Ltd., spoke about the many opportunities in agriculture, including many servicing our tourism industry. Keynote speaker Honourable Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, The Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration, discussed the improvements in the show, including many infrastructure improvements of buildings and gardens, creating a more functional venue not only for the NATS but for other events throughout the year. �

Spanish Lookout Expo
Every other year Spanish Lookout hosts its Expo at Countryside Park with an increasing number of attendees, exhibitors and activities. Held this year on March 2nd and 3rd, the Expo drew 17,500 attendees from all over the country, a 10% increase over Expo 2016. The well-organized parking accommodated the increased number of buses of school students, attendees and exhibitor vehicles.

Industrial Hemp Production in Belize
On Tuesday, 13th March 2018 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, The Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration (MAFFESDI), the Attorney General's office, Caribbean Agriculture Research & Development Institute (CARDI), Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and other GOB concerned parties invited stakeholders to join them in a packed NATS Conference Room for a full day of presentations and discussions about the potential of an industrial hemp industry for Belize.

Albrecht's Soil Fertility Work
by Neal Kinsey. Some fifty years ago, when first becoming acquainted with Dr. William Albrecht and his work, and perhaps even far longer than that, it was felt by many in agricultural education (but Dr. Albrecht was not one of them) that those doing the farming were not smart enough to understand the basic "science" of agriculture. If that were ever true, such times are far gone based on what farmers need to know and understand to farm in this day and age. Now there seems to be a much different push to discourage farmers from learning the basics of soil fertility. The claim is that farmers don't have enough time to learn all the facts for themselves. Teach them�

Homemade Health
In a quest to detoxify home and body, I discovered a remedy for fleas and ticks for animals that was non-toxic, and, it turns out, even beneficial for humans: diatomaceous earth (DE); it is basically fossilized aquatic algae that has been compressed over millions of years and now can be found at various mines around the world and in fresh and salt-water. Food-grade DE comes from freshwater deposits. It is the purest kind and is safe for human consumption in small amounts. Like all good things, it must be taken with care and understanding.

Regeneration International Works with Belizeans
RI Works with Belizeans to Scale Up Regenerative Agriculture Early in June 2015, about 60 people-farmers, scientists, activists, media, business leaders-representing 21 countries convened in Costa Rica to launch Regeneration International (RI), a new nonprofit organization with a global mission: to promote and facilitate the global transition to regenerative agriculture and land-use practices and systems that provide abundant, nutritious food; revitalize local economies; regenerate soil fertility and water-retention capacity; nurture biodiversity; promote social justice and fair trade; and restore climate stability. In 2015 the word "regeneration," in the context of food and farming, was relatively new. So in the early days RI focused heavily on education and movement-building-but always with an eye toward igniting an on-the-ground regenerative agriculture revolution. What�

From Cane to Cattle Pastures�
Froghoppers Identify New Habitat by Beth Roberson. Sugar cane, Sacharum officinarum, is a member of the Poaceae or grass family; froghoppers, Aeneolamia varia and Aneolaomia albofaceata have been recognized as a notable pest for Belizean cane farmers since the first severe infestation in cane of 2007. Cattle ranchers were advised in the 90's to improve their pastures with monocultures of imported grass varieties which are known for their higher nutrition profile, drought resistance and other positive features. Froghoppers gradually recognized these improved pastures (fellow Poaceae) as very suitable habitat for themselves and expanded their turf. According to the report made at the March 2017 BLPA AGM, by meteorologist Fermin Blanco, froghoppers are spreading thru Central America; weather services hope to�

BLPA's 40th Annual AGM
On 24 March the BLPA held its 40th Annual General Meeting at their headquarters with members attending from all 6 districts. After welcoming protocol and remarks, several speakers updated members with exciting happenings within the industry.

The Other Cowfoot
by Deborah Harder. The "cowfoot soup", popular among Belizeans, is not made from this herb, but from the actual feet of cows. The herb is named for its resemblance to a cow's hoof print and is a useful native plant. It grows wild and is found all over Belize. Look around your land for a plant with large leaves (up to 16 inches by 12 inches or more) that smells like anise and has a white spike at the base of the leaf during its blossom time. All you have to do is let it stand. However, young plants can also be transplanted in desired locations. It is often very prolific. Tea made from the leaves is reminiscent of sassafras�

Turmeric / Yellow Ginger
A New Export Crop for Belize by Umeeda Swiltlo Turmeric (Curcuma longa), also known as yellow ginger or golden root, was brought to Belize by Indian indentured servants when they came to southern and northern Belize districts. It is an essential spice used in many Indian foods. The traditional way of using it in Belize was to grind it with a mortar and pestle, add salt, black pepper, garlic, ginger and culantro and make it into round balls. When cooking a curry, people fried onions, added tomatoes and some of the premade turmeric ball. People would also wash, then boil the freshly harvested turmeric root and dry it in the sun followed by the tedious process of mortaring to make�

Limes of Belize
by Mary Susan Loan Lime is citrus genus of the family Rutaceae. Common species growing in Belize include Tahitian or Persian (Citrus latifolia), key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and Rangpur or Jamaica lime (Citrus limonata). Belizean open-air market places are the best places to find favorites: (1) classic Tahitian and Persian green limes with pale green interior and with few-to-no seeds which grow to be from about one and a half to two and a half inch ovoid fruits, (2) smaller paler key limes and (3) the variety known as Jamaican limes: juicy, seedy, and sour with orange skin and orange interior. Jamaicas can be used as a substitute when green limes are not available. All are tart, juicy and aromatic�

A Book Review: Tuning Into Nature
This book, subtitled, "Infrared Radiation and the Insect Communication System", might seem a bit of a handful at first glance. Full and complete understanding of its contents may come only with a degree in physics and perhaps degrees in electronics and biology thrown in. That said this is a very interesting read even for the lesser mortals amongst us, and even gives the reader a couple of surprises along the way. The latter, I would submit, is a sign of a useful and important book.

Ag Briefs
UBCF - The University of Belize College of Agriculture will host a 4-day Soil Fertility Course� Caribbean Food Crops SocietyThe Caribbean Food Crop Society (CFCS) will hold its 54th Annual Meeting� Regeneration International and Regeneration Belize present Transforming Tropical Agriculture: Conference for All Belizean Farmers� The 2018 ACRES USA Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show is scheduled for December 4th -7th, in Louisville, Kentucky. Richard and Sandra McLeish recognized opportunity when they realized Jamaica's 5th most produced crop, pumpkins, were also very much under-utilized. The General Court of the European Union upheld "restrictions introduced at the EU level in 2013 against the insecticides�" Vanilla prices: Madagascar provides 79% of the world's vanilla. Shortages there have a wide ripple� The Ministry of National Development's Rural Water Supply Unit hosted a Well Drillers' Workshop� BIOCHAR: Commercial chicken farms produce an impressive amount of poultry litter� Substitutables: The Directorate General for Foreign Trade reports that the seasonality of locally produced fruits and vegetables is reflected in the import data of agricultural products. And much more�

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Ag Calendar

Issue #41 - October 2018 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!
Click HERE to download the PDF

Quality Feed Mill: Expands Soy Processing as Local Soy Production Replaces Imported
After becoming convinced that Spanish Lookout farmers could grow soybeans well and that their community would benefit from a soy processing facility, Quality Feed Mill (QFM) cautiously worked to accomplish that goal, purchasing their first soybeans in 2013�

DGFT Trade Intelligence: 2017 Foreign Trade Data Disaggregation
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce - DGFT Trade Intelligence Report: 2017 Foreign Trade Data Disaggregation. Export and Import Partner Countries; Export Trade Partners per Commodities; Import Commodities and Trade Partners; Monthly Imports of Vegetables.

Travel Global, Eat Local
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture launched the Tourism Consumption Study at the 54th Annual Caribbean Food Crop Society (CFCS) Meeting held in Belize City in July 2018. The aims of the study are to quantify the existing and potential demand of agricultural products by the tourism industry as well as to assess barriers that inhibit the linkage between agricultural supply and tourism demand and ultimately determine possible interventions to improve the supply of local agricultural products to the tourism industry.

Agriculture Prices at a Glance - Oct. 2018

Belize National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Launch
The launch of the NBSAP on May 31, 2018 coincided closely with the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As one of the signatories numbering 195 countries plus the EU, Belize implemented its pledge to conserve biological components in several phases including the development of the NBSAP, a five year action plan of the national biodiversity goals.

Beyond the Backyard - Arrowroot, the Obedience Plant
My criteria for choosing plants for my garden are usually 1. Can you eat it? 2. Is it attractive or showy? No doubt this is why the arrowroot plant did not cross my gate until now. I was well acquainted with British biscuits and infant teething rusks and have long used the white powder as a thickening agent as opposed to corn flour. Yet I had never seen a plant or had any idea of its uses and its impressive history.

Management of Internal Parasites of Sheep and Goats
Belize is in the process of building a sheep meat industry and is also experiencing a relatively new expansion in goat production, particularly focused on dairy. With this new direction it is important to improve various aspects of their production. These include genetics, nutrition, reproduction, husbandry, health and marketing. A number of these are being addressed by various entities.

Passionfruit
Passionfruit is one of the fastest growing and most worthwhile fruit for Belize. Passionfruit belongs to the diverse Passifloracea or Passion Flower Family, which contains around 600 species of flowering herbaceous vines. Of these 600 known species of Passiflora, many are grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical gardens for their extremely unique and beautiful flowers.

Spanish Lookout's Quality Feed Mill Expands Soy Processing as Local Soy Production Replaces Imported
After becoming convinced that Spanish Lookout farmers could grow soybeans well and that their community would benefit from a soy processing facility, Quality Feed Mill (QFM) cautiously worked to accomplish that goal, purchasing their first soybeans in 2013. At that time all their beans were processed at a facility in Blue Creek, Orange Walk District. In 2013 they purchased and moved various pieces of soybean processing equipment from Yo Creek, Orange Walk, where a soybean processing facility had been built but was never fully operational. In 2016 the first soybeans were processed at their Spanish Lookout facility. Also in 2016, a visit to QFM by tourist Joel Yorgey of Iowa lead to interactions positive to both.

Key Stages of Resilience for Plant Health By John Kempf
Our vision and our mission is to help farmers produce healthy crops which are insect and disease resistant and have no need for toxic insecticides and fungicides. We can accomplish this goal by providing farmers with knowledge of how diseases and insect pests interact with growing plants, tools to monitor crop health in the field, and information and materials which can be used to increase and enhance plant health.

The Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS) and the 2018 Belize National Agriculture Census By Milagro Matus
The agriculture and food sector is one of the main pillars of the Belizean economy, contributing approximately $590 million annually to economic output, representing 80% of domestic exports, and directly employing 17.9% of the Belizean population. Moreover, it is a major foreign exchange earner, maintains a vibrant rural population and ensures food and nutrition security for the country. The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing initiatives to reform the enabling environment for agriculture and food production including the regulatory framework, market reform, and adoption of advanced technologies to counter the significant challenges posed by climate change.

Management of Internal Parasites of Sheep and Goats By Daniel Juan
Belize is in the process of building a sheep meat industry and is also experiencing a relatively new expansion in goat production, particularly focused on dairy. With this new direction it is important to improve various aspects of their production. These include genetics, nutrition, reproduction, husbandry, health and marketing. A number of these are being addressed by various entities. This article hopes to shed some light on one aspect of health - internal parasite management. Internal parasites of these livestock are generally pulmonary or gastrointestinal.

BLPA and CATIE Sign Agreement for Technical Assistance
On Wednesday 15th August 2018, Ms. Elba Cruz, Manager of the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) and Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, Director of The Agronomic Centre for Tropical Research and Education (CATIE) signed an agreement for the provision of technical cooperation services to strengthen the livestock industry.

Andre Leu: Building Topsoil with Regenerative Practices
Topsoil is where the majority of the plant available nutrients, beneficial microorganisms and crop available water are found. The most important component of topsoil is organic matter composed mostly of soil organic carbon (SOC). It is estimated that agricultural soils have lost 50% to 70% of their original soil organic carbon pool and the depletion is exacerbated by further soil degradation. Longer rotations, cover crops, green manures...

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin: Regenerative Poultry Management
Reginaldo will present on a revolutionary Poultry Centered Regenerative Farm model that is a success in Guatemala, Mexico and the US. The model is built not on a nearsighted drive toward maximum profit, but on a triple bottom-line being ecological, economical and socially viable. At the system's center are free-range meat/egg poultry, raised in a well-managed paddock planted with a combination of perennials, cover crops, and small grains that provide additional cash value to the farmers and nutrition and shelter for the chicken.

VACA AT A TURNING POINT
The Vaca Forest Reserve (VFR) is the closest forest reserve to the communities of Arenal, Benque Viejo del Carmen and San Jose Succotz. For the young boys of the Youth Environmental Action Group (YEAG) based in Succotz, this reserve was the closest, too, for outdoor camping and nature studies in the late 1980's. At that time Don Antonio Morales used to describe the richness of the forest bustling with wildlife, intact caves and fresh water. But he had concerns since there was much talk about the construction of the dam on the Macal River and road access to the core of the Vaca Plateau. His late night anecdotes would end up with hopes that the forested area would remain just as how he found it in the late 1970's when he arrived in the Vaca Plateau. The VFR covers an area of 40,303 acres (16,317 ha), and forms part of the Greater Maya Mountains Massif (a key biodiversity conservation area). It is bordered on the east by the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and Nojkaaxmeen Elijio Panti National Park and to the south by the Chiquibul National Park.

Carambola, the Star By Deborah Harder
Carambola, Averrhoa carambola, is also called starfruit because the cross-section of its fruit is shaped like a 5 pointed star (although in rare instances it may have 6 - 8 points); it is a delightful tree with beautiful foliage and sprays of delicate purple blossoms. It grows well in a variety of soils and bears twice a year - November through January and May through August. The fruit, with its rather firm, translucent flesh, seems to appeal especially to Northerners due to its light, juicy quality, as opposed to other tropical fruits, some of which can seem rather heavy and overly rich to northern tastes.

The Economics of Industrial Hemp By Karin Westdyk
The U.S. currently imports an estimated $2 billion worth of industrial hemp each year. Though it is the world's largest consumer of hemp and hemp products, US farmers have not enjoyed "harvesting" the benefits of growing hemp for the better part of a century. Based on disinformation, created and fueled by those who benefitted from its prohibition, a war was waged against a plant with the potential to provide quality food and shelter, a carbonnegative fuel, strong fiber and paper, and an effective medicine where pharmaceuticals have failed. Using racism and "fake news" hemp was vilified and since 1937, banished from the landscape, allowing fossil fuels to dominate agriculture, energy, and products that have caused great havoc, leaving a trail of pollution, illness, and war. But this is changing�

Protein Bank Update By Chris Harris, White Rock Farm
Quite a lot has happened since the first article about our protein bank. (See Belize Ag Report, issue 39.) In truth we have learned quite a lot. It's a good news/ bad news story really. First the good news: we have been able to save quite a bit of money in proprietary feed costs. To be honest however, that was the easy part. Just don't buy�!! The bad news is that our broiler growth rate dropped significantly when we substituted natural grass/leaf feed for part of the broiler grower we had been using.

THE BIOCHAR SOLUTION - Carbon Farming and Climate Change By Albert Bates, Reviewed by Chris Harris
The first thing to say about this book is that it is not for the deniers of climate change-or perhaps it is� By tracing the origins and history of agriculture around the world, from the very beginning of man's involvement in life on "the third rock from the sun" the author presents a plausible account of the highs and lows of our struggle with nature and the impact on our future. Around 400,000 years of history from cave paintings through to modern day scientific research has given us a fascinating story of success and failure, of the rise and fall of civilizations and the impact on food production over the years.

Ag Briefs

Management for Sustaining the Vaca Forest Reserve By Sarah Ottinger and Elizabeth Becker
This is the first in a series of articles to be written by college research students involved in projects to study human impacts on the Vaca Forest Reserve (VFR), a protected 15,314- hectare multi-use conserved area of land located in western Cayo. VFR provides renewable resources to the surrounding communities of Arenal, San Jose Succotz, and Benque. The students come from multiple US universities. They are focusing on agricultural plant and soil science, forestry, wildlife, and human/social dimensions of the VFR.

Ag Calendar

Issue #42 - July 2019 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!
Click HERE to download the PDF

The Belize Ag Report Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Belize Ag Report is an independent semi-annual agriculture newsletter. Our purpose is to collect, edit and disseminate information useful to the Belizean producer, large or small. We invite opinions on issues, which are not necessarily our own. Belize Ag neither solicits nor accepts political ads.

Reducing Reliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Belize
Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)1 have been recognized as an issue of concern, along with the need for concerted action in addressing them, through the promotion of agro-ecologically based alternatives and strengthening of national regulatory capacity to conduct risk assessment and risk management.

Belizean Lauded in London
Maya Mountain Research Farm (MMRF) is a Belizean NGO, situate in the Toledo District agroforestry farm of Christopher Nesbitt and his wife Celini Logan Nesbitt. Christopher applied for the newly created Commonwealth Innovation Award, highlighting his work of the last 30 years in agroforestry, food security, land repair, and the last 15 years' intensive work on carbon sequestration through agroforestry and biochar.

Rainfall Reports And Charts From 2018
Although the trend of lower rainfall in northern Belize, and higher rainfall in the south still remains generally true, much variation can be seen within each area. All of the rainfall charts and graphs for this article were created by Dottie Feucht.

Managing our Streams and Rivers is Everyone's Responsibility
Having studied streams and rivers of Belize for the past 30 years, I have witnessed a trend that has greatly accelerated during the past few years�and the news is not good. Our riparian (riverside) forests, filter systems of the landscape, are being stripped out. Wetlands are disappearing.

Regeneration Belize & Regeneration International to Host 2nd Annual Tropical Agriculture Conference
When you think of the 2nd week of November in Belize, think of the Regeneration International and Regeneration Belize's Tropical Agriculture Conference. This year will be the 2nd annual event. The 2018 conference, (held the 2nd week of November also) was a rousing success, with over 1,100 Belizean farmers flocking to Belmopan's NATS grounds, to listen and learn regenerative farming methods from 6 international experts, all hailing from the tropics and 11 local experts.

Beyond the Backyard: Ay Caramba!
Just when the avocado, Persea americana, season is coming to a close, I read a very disturbing article that suggests that some of our favorite indulgences could be annihilated by the effects of climate change. I am sure the same holds true for most of the basics produce but the thought of losing avocados, coffee, chocolate, lobsters, oysters and beer is far more devastating.

The History of Central Farm 1948 - 1966
The Central Farm Agricultural Station was started on the 20th October, 1948. It started as an Ex-servicemen Rehabilitation Scheme and was later changed to an experimental station. At its inception the area was completely in high bush; the first work gang consisted of twelve men under a farm manager who cleared it with machetes and axes.

Spanish Lookout Community Crop Statistics for the year 2018
Crop Statistics Table by Crop Type, Acres farmed and Bags produced in 2018.

Silvopastoral Systems: A Summary of Dr. Alvaro Cadavid's presentation at the Tropical Agriculture Conference
A silvopastoral system (SPS) is a type of agroforestry that allows the intensification of cattle production based on natural processes that integrate trees and shrubs in pastures with animals. SPSs are recognized as an integrated approach to sustainable land use. A silvopastoral system (SPS) is a type of agroforestry that allows the intensification of cattle production based on natural processes that integrate trees and shrubs in pastures with animals. SPSs are recognized as an integrated approach to sustainable land use. A well-managed SPS has been shown to improve overall productivity and provide additional economic, environmental, and social benefits for livestock farmers and cattle compared with grass monocultures.

Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic 2018 Highlight: Poached Macaw Chicks
As with stories of illegal wildlife poaching and trade, this story starts sadly. Two Scarlet Macaw chicks were poached in the Chiquibul by a group of illegal trespassers. Thanks to the amazing Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD) Chiquibul rangers, the poachers were intercepted shortly before the Guatemalan border.

Sorosi: Bitter Melon
Sorosi, often spelled cerasee, is commonly known as bitter melon for good reason. Along with aloe vera and neem it is one of the bitterest herbs in the pharmacopeia of plant medicines in Belize. In some places it is called balsam pear and goes by a number of other names�

Black Sapote
Though originating in Central America, black sapote is still quite unknown in Belize. Usually called "chocolate pudding fruit", the power of suggestion is necessary to extract any true chocolate flavour from it. But it has its own pleasant flavour. The tree is attractive and a good shade tree, with dense, shiny, dark green foliage. The fruits resemble large green persimmons, with black flesh that is soft when ripe.

Eggplant, 'The King of Vegetables'
Eggplant (Solanum melongena), also known as aubergine in the UK, berenjena in Spanishspeaking countries and brinjal in India, or garden egg, is one of over onehundred plant species of the Solanaceae nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Botanically, eggplant is actually a fruit, which is considered to be a vegetable.

Yalbac Ranch and Laguna Seca Timber Nursery
Nurseries are not required of sawmills, by the Forest Department nor the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); nevertheless, owners of Yalbac Ranch and Laguna Seca, private working forest lands located in the south west corner of the Orange Walk District, set a good example.

University of Belize Central Farm: Vegetable Grafting
The University of Belize Central Farm hosted the first of a series of workshops intended to increase the knowledge of students and industry professionals. On March 1st and 2nd the university hosted its first workshop on vegetable grafting.

A Note from Neal Kinsey
So sorry I could not be a part of the upcoming meeting in November, Transforming Tropical Agriculture. I appreciate your choice of one big word in that title, as when you look at the various meanings of a transformation, there is one that certainly applies to agriculture. Transformation - a marked change for the better.

Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
So where to start? A much-loved British TV gardener called Percy Thrower became famous for his catchphrase on his weekly programme back in the sixties. He used to say in his west country accent, " Oi think the answer lies in the soil". What Gabe Brown has done in this highly readable book is to show that some sixty years later, long gone Percy Thrower was right.

IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group Regional Meeting, Placencia
During the week of June 25-29, 80 participants representing 19 countries participated in the IUCN/SSC-Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) Regional Meeting to discuss country status updates of conservation, management and research issues in the Central America and Caribbean region. The organization of this meeting was by Dr. Marisa Tellez, Sub-regional Chair of the CSG, and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Coalition�

Become a Verified Ministry of Agriculture Farmer!
On June 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture began the National Agriculture Census 2018 to register all farmers who produce half an acre or more and/or generate 30% or more of their household income from an agricultural activity. To date a total of 6,973 farmers and 8,092 farms have been registered to the Belize Agriculture Information Management System (BAIMS).

Ag Briefs
The Mayan Alliance for the Bees of Yucatan, has asked their Agrarian Prosecutor's Office to declare a state of emergency. Regeneration Belize to host the 2nd Annual Tropical Agriculture Conference, Nov 12-13 at the NATS grounds in Belmopan. Persons from various Ag sectors such as Ministry of Ag, CARDI, SIRDI, and other interested folks gathered to learn about biochar. And more�

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Click here for issue #43, the August 2020 Belize Ag Report!

Hemp in Belize Update...
Industrial Hemp: A Product With Many Applications
Beyond the Backyard: Bounty of the Beach - Purslane
Coconut (Cocus nucifera L.) By Lester Muralles
Westrac Ltd. 50 years of Business: A Look Back at Its Formation
Key Techniques of Carbon Farming
Regeneration Belize Hosts Farmers Meeting
"Grassroots Rising" By Ronnie Cummins, A Review by Dottie Feucht
Building Healthy Soils with Cover Crops & No-till Farming
Question: Is it possible to increase drought resistance for crops grown on my land by increasing soil fertility?
BLPA's Successful AGM
Fusarium Wilt of Bananas: A Threat to Banana and Plantain Production in Belize
Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers
A CALL TO PHASE OUT CHLORPYRIFOS AND ADAPT AGROECOLOGY
Calling St. Michael, The Dragon Slayer
GMO, Failed Promises; Flawed Science: A Serious Health and Safety Issue
"Poisoning Our Children: The Parent's Guide to the Myths of Safe Pesticides" By Andr� Leu, A Review by Mary Loan
Rainfall 2019
Soap Nuts - Laundry Soap of the Mayas
Fruits, Roots and Shoots: Using Tropical Plants for Self Sufficiency
Ag Briefs
Agriculture Prices At A Glance

... and more!

Click here for issue #44, the Spring 2021 Belize Ag Report!

- Reforming Our Business Environment, By Jose Alpuche
- From the Editor
- Pilot Project: Voluntary Third-Party Assurance Programme
- Big Falls Ranch, British Honduras' 1st Agricultural Giant, Part 1: Transitioning and the Early Years, By Roberson/Feucht
- Beyond the Backyard: The Oil of Tranquility, the Scent of Success - Vetiver, By Jenny Wildman
- A Proven System To Restore Health-Giving Energy In Your Water, By Jerry Carlson
- Quest for the Right Hemp Cultivars, By Karin Westdyk
- Belize Raptor Center Helps Farmers, By Valerie Motyka and Sarah Mann
- Pyroligneous Acid (Wood Vinegar) Use for Agricultural Production, By Gerardo Aldana, PhD
- Wood Vinegar for Agriculture, Compiled by Dottie Feucht
- Sorrel Part 1: History and Introduction, By Justin B. Reynolds
- Belize's Dairy Industry: Recent Challenges and Looking Forward, By Beth Roberson
- Book Review: "Cows Save The Planet And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth," By Judith D. Schwartz, A Review by Michael Richardson
- Pesticides Review: Belize and Beyond, By B. Roberson
- PICKY-EATER INSECTS PASS ON HIGH BRIX PLANTS: Healthy Plants Are the Best Pesticide, By Thomas M. Dykstra
- Technological Solutionism Will Not Save our Food Systems, By Navdanya International
- Overview of Long-Term, Jaguar Camera-Trapping Project In Belize, By Dr. Marcella Je. Kelly, Darby McPhail and David Lugo
- Rare Hummingbird Spotted Recently near the Belize Botanic Gardens at a Private Residence, By Gayle Zentz
- Book Review: "Cindy and Erica's Obsession To Solve Today's Health Care Crisis: Autism, Alzheimer's, Cardiovascular Disease, ALS and More," By Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., A Review by Dottie Feucht
- The Many Faces of Flour Part 1: Traditional Wheat Flour And its Ancient Relative, Spelt, By Beth Roberson
- Global Seed Summit Report, By Mary Susan Loan
- Rene Tzib Certified Pesticide-Free Farmer, By Dr. Sophia Clarke
- Breadnut - A Tool For Carbon Drawdown, Food Security And Land Degradation Neutrality, By Christopher Nesbitt
- ASK RUBBER BOOTS
- Belize Ram�n Ox Group: GROWING AGROFORESTRY AND FOOD PROCESSING
- Ag Briefs
- Agriculture Prices At A Glance

... and more!

Issue #45 - Spring 2022 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here

Big Falls Ranch: Rice Production (Part 2), By Feucht/Roberson
As described in part 1 of this article The Bevis family, who leased 11,000 acres of land along the Belize River in 1964, chose rice as the most viable commercial cash crop to grow while developing a cattle ranching operation. The two main crops at that time in Belize (British Honduras) were citrus in the south and sugar cane in the north. The rest of the country, including Big Falls, was relatively undeveloped with no infrastructure.

Field Survey: Collection and Analysis of Data on Pesticide Poisoning Incidents among Farmers in Belize 2021, By Dr. Sherlene Enriquez-Savery & Mr. Sean Sebastian
In June 2020, the University of Belize (UB) administered a field survey, Collection and Analysis of Data on Pesticide Poisoning Incidents among Farmers in Belize. The field survey was a partnership between UB and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Rotterdam Convention of the United Nations, to which Belize is a Party, has a core objective of mitigating the adverse effects of pesticides on human health.

Guest Editorial By Ed Boles, PhD Aquatic Ecologist
Representatives of Vulcan Materials Company (VMC), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, visited Belize on a fact- finding mission in December, 2019, and alerted many people of the Stann Creek District coastal area that the company intended to purchase the 6,000 hectare (15,000 acre) White Ridge Farm. They sent down a company team to conduct test borings of the karst and granite rock in early 2020.

Review of 2020 & 2021 Pesticides Imports Data
Records of imports data for this period indicate that there was an increase in importations of pesticides and its related substances compared to previous years. Even though the pandemic was hitting Belize, the agriculture sector did not collapse. The reasons for an increase in importation can be attributed to the following:

Lemongrass Oil Made in Belize By Dr. Thomas Mathew
Our experimentation to make lemongrass oil at the Belize Spice Farm was a success. We found out that it takes 450 lbs. of lemon grass cuttings to produce about 10 oz. of oil. Many distilleries produce almost double the amount; as we gain more experience with harvesting and distillation, we hope to match the yield of big time growers.

Sorrel (Roselle): Part 2 By Deborah Harder and Dottie Feucht
Issue 44 of the Belize Ag Report covered the introduction and history of sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Being popular in subtropical regions all over the world, it has many local names and uses. Although countries in Africa and Southeast Asia are the major suppliers on the global market, Mexico and Jamaica are important suppliers in our region. Dried sorrel is sold in the local produce markets.

Rainfall 2020 & 2021
Although the trend of lower rainfall in northern Belize, and higher rainfall in the south still remains generally true, much variation can be seen within each area.

Hemp as Food By William Grimshaw
For many years it was believed that hemp was destined only for developed nations; they make the rules and they have the resources; Belize is too small and we don't have enough farmers. Sure, some of those things may be true, but not entirely. Delving deep into what hemp is, we come across its roots, spread far and wide, branching into hundreds if not thousands of extensions of itself.

HLB - Citrus Greening: Performance Nutrition Leading the Way By John Flynn
Comments like "I have tried everything under the sun" by frustrated citrus growers trying to solve the greening disease were widely heard over the past several years. However, those who have stopped what they have been doing, including applying pesticides, and begun the Performance Nutrition program, adding organic matter and microbials to the soil and allowing the trees time to heal are saying "I doubted that merely changing agronomic practices I could produce citrus again.

Belize Coconut National Stakeholder Platform and the Lead Farm Approach By Omaira Avila Rostant
The 2nd phase of the Coconut Development project funded by the European Union (EU) and CARIFORUM through the Alliences for Coconut Industry Development Expansion and Enhanced Support for the Caribbean is being implemented in the Caribbean since 2019 by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Caribbean.

A Carbon Friendly Beef Enterprise - Is It Possible? By Christine Jones, PhD
There are many misconceptions surrounding the contribution of livestock to climate change. The United Nations publication, 'Livestock's Long Shadow' (1), resulted in calls from around the world for reduced meat consumption on the basis that livestock were a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Concerns have also been expressed that meat consumption has a detrimental effect on human health.

Homemade Health: Immune System Reboot By Marguerite Fly Bevis, RN, BSN
The old Creole saying, "prevention betta dan cure", is the answer to the question: how can we boost immunity? Our first thought is take vitamins and supplements and to figure out which ones are essential and why. Research reveals there are also other things we can do and ways we adapt our lifestyle to improve our chances of resisting illness.

Successful Papaya Growing By Dr. Sophia Clarke
As we all know papaya is delicious, commands a good sale price, and has many excellent nutritional and medicinal properties. Growing organically is much the better for health, but as I was warned by Cergio Mai of BAHA Plant Health, "this will be a challenge!" due to the fact that papaya is susceptible to many diseases and pests. I can testify to that as we have found on our farm in Cayo. So I wanted to find out how we could be more successful growers of papaya.

Agave: The Century Plant of Belize By Michael Richardson
The landmark ornamental Agave americana, commonly known as the "century plant" has been in Belize for centuries. Known as maguey in Mexico, the hardy succulent is native to hot, arid regions of the Americas. Agave is a genus of monocots with dozens of species. Although often misidentified as a perennial, the century plant is actually a monocarpic (meaning that each rosette dies after flowering and fruiting) multiannual since each spined rosette flowers only once with a thirty-foot bloom mast or quiote and then dies.

Easy Greens to Grow in Belize By Dr. Mandy Tsang
It has been about 10 years since I last wrote an article for the Belize Ag Report. Just to fill you in on my background: my husband and I are both medical doctors who came to Belize 18 years ago. We wanted to grow our own food with our own hands and dig in the dirt. In short, we have become sustenance farmers. I understand that many people would not put themselves into a position of trying to survive solely on what they grow.

Ta'nah Farmers Group By Beth Roberson
In March 0f 2021, a group of experienced and determined farmers of San Antonio, Cayo District*, began meeting together every 2 weeks, with the aim of working in coordination with each other to increase productivity and profitability for their individual farms. Their efforts were rewarded when on 8 September 2021, the Ta'nah Farmers Group, comprised of 25 men and women farmers, was officially registered and recognized as an association.

New Opportunity for an Alternative to Wheat: Sorghum, aka Milo and Maecillo By Maruja Vargas
Sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor) is an ancient grain better known as milo in Belize and maecillo in Latin America. It has been cultivated for 5,000 years and is one of the five principal grain staples of the world. Over 500 million people in 30 countries rely on sorghum as their main grain staple. Sorghum is among the most efficient crops in the conversion of solar energy and is very drought tolerant, requiring only 6 inches of annual rainfall which is 30% less water than other grains.

SPANISH LOOKOUT COMMUNITY CROP STATISTICS for the year 2020 - 2021

The 7th Spanish Lookout Industrial / Commercial Expo
Was held on 26th and 27th March 2022. There were 180 booths from all over Belize. Next Expo: 2024

Pesticide poisoning in Belize: Addressing the upward trend
The issue of pesticide poisoning among farmers and farm workers appears to be a growing area of concern in Belize that authorities are now seeking to address. A recent study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the University of Belize, revealed that there seemed to be a substantial increase in the cases of accidental pesticide poisoning in the year 2021, compared to the previous two years. These findings were presented during a workshop on Pesticide Poisoning among Farmers and Farm Workers in Belize held virtually on February 24, 2022.

Field Survey: Collection and Analysis of Data on Pesticide Poisoning Incidents among Farmers in Belize 2021
In June 2020, the University of Belize (UB) administered a field survey titled; Collection and Analysis of Data on Pesticide Poisoning Incidents among Farmers in Belize. The field Survey was a partnership between UB and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Letters to the Editor

Ag Briefs

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

and more!...