13/07/2026
๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐ฃ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐: ๐๐ฆ๐๐, ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ก๐๐ & ๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ง ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ป๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ฒ (๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐) ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฃ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐
Belmopan, March 30, 2026.
Through the Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP), the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries (MAFSNGI), as implementing agencies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET), have handed over IT and field equipment valued at over BZD $45,000.00 to the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI).
SIRDI, a longstanding pillar of the sugar industry, plays a major role in providing technical guidance, advancing research, and supporting farmers across the sector. The equipment provided will enhance SIRDIโs operational efficiency and strengthen data-driven decision-making.
The handover included twelve (12) GPS devices to support accurate registration of field locations and improve tracking across sugarcane farms. Ten (10) tablets were provided to facilitate efficient data collection, mapping, and real-time field input. Additionally, four (4) laptops will strengthen data management, analysis, and reporting capabilities, while one (1) drone will support the quantification and assessment of pest damage across fields, enabling more timely and targeted interventions.
โThe sugar industry remains a cornerstone of Belizeโs economy, and strengthening SIRDI directly contributes to safeguarding its productivity and sustainability,โ said Mr. Carlos Tun, Executive Director of BSIF. โBy enhancing SIRDIโs technical capacity, farmers will benefit from improved services, more efficient field support, and stronger, data-informed interventions.โ
This handover builds on previous support provided under the project. In October 2025, three (3) motorcycles were delivered to SIRDI to enhance the mobility and efficiency of field officers. These motorcycles continue to play a vital role in facilitating field visits and supporting the coordination of biological control agents under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
โIt is important to note that the challenges the sugar industry faces must be addressed to ensure its long-term viability,โ shared Mr. Servulo Baeza, Chief Executive Officer in MAFSNGI. โThe support being provided today forms part of the projectโs restructuring, with a total of USD $2.9 million allocated for equipment, staffing, and capacity building. An additional USD $4 million will further support the procurement of biological inputs to manage pests such as froghopper, stem borer, and fusarium wilt.โ
โMaximizing the use of these resources is essential,โ stated Hon. Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State in MET. โThis initiative reflects the Government of Belizeโs continued commitment to strengthening key agricultural institutions through strategic investments under CRESAP. Through this support, farmers will receive improved services, timely technical assistance, and the tools needed to build resilience and sustain productivity within Belizeโs sugar industry.โ
The Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP) is a US$25 million initiative financed by the World Bank. It aims to improve the productivity and resilience of farmers through a matching grant program and to strengthen the capacity of key public institutions (government agencies and academic organizations) to support a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Marc Anthony J. Coc
Communications Officer
Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project
Email: [email protected]
๐ทSee more photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCPsW9
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries
Sugar Industry Research & Development Institute
Ministry of Economic Transformation, Belize
