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The Belize Ag Report
Belize's most complete independent agricultural publication
Belize's Agriculture Potential
Through Expansion
By John Carr
Every Yahoo & Google news center is usually reporting a
concern about food shortages, climate change, occasional
sicknesses caused by food, and an increase in population. - -" '-.. -
They say that every day 1 billion people go to bed hungry and - "i.
2 billion are living on $1.00oo to $2.00 U.S a day. Their diet is - ,.
sorghum porridge, a bit of rice and a bread or tortilla product
of some sort. Meat, fruits and vegetables are considered
seldom-afforded luxuries.
Does that message sound like Belize? Not at all! On market
day or at most food markets "We do have food like sand." c-
Because of our small population we can find jobs, ketch & kill,
hustle food or money and if you go to bed hungry, something
is wrong. You might not get to eat what you want, but you will
have enough. The above presents a glimpse of the world and
Belize has tens of thousands of acres of land suitable for
farming or livestock expansion. We need to move toward
raising our living standards for the lower 40% of our
population. This really means we need more jobs.
Continued on page 26
j Seough ATLANTIC BANK
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1 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
ITourist Information
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Although headquartered in the lush hill and
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See Selected
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2 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
by Dr. Mandy Tsang
Scientific Name: Protium copal
Common Name: Copal, Pom
Parts Used: Tree Resin
Copal is from the Nahuatl language and the word is derived from
"copalli," which means incense; Nahuatl was the language of the
Aztecs. In Belize, copal is used as incense and can be found in
most market places in the country; they are sold in one pound
blocks of resin in its most natural form, with complimentary
pieces of dried bark, leaves and drunken baymen, wrapped in
leaf parcels. The Mayan and Mestizo population in Toledo,
commonly burn pieces of copal on coals for spiritual cleansing.
Copal has been used in ancient Maya and Aztec ceremony as
a ritual offering to the gods and so we can see that copal has a
long history of use in Mesoamerica.
The secondary and less well-known use of copal is as medicine. I
was already familiar with the concept of "evil eye" and "spiritual
cleansing" from my own cultural background and so the use of
copal for these purposes came as no surprise to me. However,
whilst working as a medical doctor at the Santa Ana Clinic in
Toledo, I stumbled across some other medicinal uses of copal:
I found that it was not uncommon for a Mayan to seek medical
attention at the clinic before going to see the bush doctor.
Medical complaints included upper respiratory tract infections
and also skin conditions ranging from scabies, fungal mycoses,
dermatitis and impetigo. Education on hygiene was usually the
order of the day even although the great expectation was for a
magical injection of steroid and penicillin. Sadly, I found that
my Western medicine knowledge was not appreciated and the
/QPAL lIEDICINAL*OIL\
SMANY T Sk G
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
next port of call was the bush doctor. The Kekchi view of Western
medicine can be encapsulated in the words of a Mayan woman
to me: "I come to you for fresh cold...but for real medicine I
go to bush doctor." She went on to explain that only a bush
doctor could cure the serious illnesses such as snakebites, "dirty
blood" and "fright." There is a huge gulf between Western
medicine and bush medicine in terms of the concepts of illness,
so much so, that medical consultations can be, and usually are,
unsatisfactory for both doctor and patient because there is no
common ground for understanding. In some cases, patients
came full circle back to me after seeing the bush doctor and this
was when I was able to catch glimpses of the bush medicine that
was used. One of these snippets involved the use of copal resin
on skin conditions like dermatitis and impetigo - intriguing
because I actually saw good results. Indeed, it was these results
which sparked off my interest in copal as a medicine. I found
it amazing that copal was used in its raw, unrefined form and
was used especially for skin infections (bark, leaves, dead flies
and all!).
It was then that my husband (also a medical doctor) and I
decided to experiment with the use of copal as a medicinal oil.
We managed to refine and clean up the copal resin to make the
oil we now coin "copal medicinal oil." Further research from
bush doctors in the Toledo area and medical plant literature
confirms the use of copal for skin conditions. Furthermore, the
resin has been used to plug tooth cavities, as an expectorant and
in the treatment of muscular aches and pains.
Chemically copal resin is made up of isomeric tertiary and
secondary, cyclic terpene alcohols. These constituents are
known to have antiseptic (both externally and internally) and
anti-rheumatic properties.
Continued on pg. 25
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3 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
We,. Off-eVr'6 % ffim,- Rfrt'i Iizrs.
FROM Ttie eDITOR
Tribute is due to the silent editor of The Belize Ag Report,
John C. Roberson, Sr. who passed away on February 7,
2011 at the age of 82 years. Although John did not initially
support the establishment of the BAR because of the cost,
after his long-time friend, John Carr, enthusiastically came
on board as assistant editor, he began to re-evaluate. Seeing
his friend's steady support and sensing the positive feedback
and encouragement from readers, my John changed his mind
and contributed significantly to the growth of the BAR, just
as he had contributed for over 50 years to the growth of the
agriculture sector in Belize. He drove me around, kept my
vehicle running, accompanied me on field trips, filtered /
reviewed articles pertaining to his areas of expertise: horses,
cattle and ranching and provided the advice and support
needed to improve the BAR.
Aside from BAR contributions, John is remembered by
the older generation as manager of Bull Run Overseas Ltd,
which operated a sawmill and open range cattle operation in
Cayo's Pine Ridge. He imported many fine American Quarter
horses and Brahman cattle, which went on to improve local
herds. A founding member of BLPA, he provided the lumber
for the existing show barns at today's NATS (which now
need replacement), and he loaned BLPA the funds needed
to secure the land where the BLPA headquarters sits today.
Later in life, while still managing partner of Maya Ranch Ltd.
he imported a seed herd of Nelore cattle from the renowned
Rancho El Retiro, of Tizimin, Yucatan, M6xico and went
into the purebred business. He always looked forward to
the improvements he would see in the next generation of his
stock. We will miss him.
Signs, Banners, Stickers,
Posters, Bill Boards, Photo Printing
Business Cards, Magnetics
.s .1
Mission Statement:
IlHICMl I 669-0697
-i 'I. I I jLuil :.13:I:tssbz gnal.I :
A ddress. ::.'irn ri I .:..:.l.:.,.r
The Belize -Ag Report is an independent bi-
monthly agriculture newsletter. Our purpose is
to collect. edit and disseminate information usefiu
to the Belizean producer. large or small. It e invite
opinions on issues. which are not necessarily our
own. Belize.Ag neither solicits nor accepts political
"Comida MAtexicsa"
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The Belize Ag Report, P.O. Box 150, San Ignacio,
Cayo District, Belize, Central America
Telephnne-' 663-6777 & 664-7272
Edlit. Ir Betht G. ilI. R. l 'r. In
A ti-.tnll t E.lit. r .Ii, h1 (Pa1rr
Speli ll Edit. ir D. ttie FuL,-lht
Printo.ed b%\ BRC Prin'tir. B ni.u' \- i.'C . Ca\. ['iltr. t. Beli/e
Lette'r- t. the Edit r. - Ad. & Arti.lk.. ti
D[0,'.lliii'1 , ir -. l h111n-ii i, n11, iothi '-I t l In- 1 llt Ii i) 1'r t'
lpullllatl, In
\\_' arv Ii-ll' nth . -l ~liin: ', .1,I1Luidrn A i L-ll I.t
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NOTICE: If you \wollld like to share our publication.
kindly do so by sending the link to our website.
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editor, l'belizeagreport.coim
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 4
Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
TO THle elITO'R
Dear Editor,
Please save Belize from the "ignorant"!
Your recent publication carried a letter titled "while we are
starving, blame GMO", and went on to make various erroneous
statements about GMO crops, concluding that Belize should not
allow GM seeds to be used here, as the risks far outweigh the
benefits. The author demonstrated considerable ignorance of the
facts about GM products, and made statements which were not
backed up scientifically.
Belize has been importing food eg breakfast cereals and cooking
oils made from GM products for years. GM products have been
rigorously tested in the USA and Europe for years and have been
found not to have any adverse affects on humans or cattle. The
author states that "Bioengineering uses viruses and bacteria" to
alter the genes. Half true. Genes are introduced into the plant
by two primary methods currently. The first involves a device
called a 'gene gun.' The specific DNA to be introduced into the
plant cells is coated onto tiny particles of gold or tungsten. These
particles are then physically shot onto plant cells. Some of the
DNA comes off and is incorporated into the DNA of the recipient
plant. The second method uses a bacterium to introduce the
gene(s) of interest into the plant DNA.
The author suggests a link between cancer and GM foods. There
is no accepted scientific study that documents any relationship
between cancer and GM foods. As for gene alteration we have
been altering food crops since the beginning of humanity as
we know it. GM crops are developed using the tools of modern
biotechnology where precise tools are used to introduce only
the desirable traits into a plant. In contrast, in traditional plant
breeding, genes from two parents are mixed in many different
combinations in the hope of getting the desired trait. Both
methods have the potential to alter the nutritional value of
plants or lead to unintended changes in concentration of natural
toxicants or anti nutrients. However, these concerns will be less
frequent in transgenic plants since only a limited number of
genes are transferred during genetic modification, unlike when
traditional breeding methods are used.
The author states "For instance, a gene can be introduced that
makes the corn plant capable of surviving with less water."
How amazingly good for humanity, especially for the arid regions
of Africa.!
The author states that some of the mutations have led to
colon cancer under testing on laboratory animals. This is not
documented. A scientist by the name of Pusztai working on
GM potatoes, introduced a lecithin which was known to be
toxic to mammals. Feeding these altered potatoes, it was hardly
surprising that his laboratory animals died. The author is citing
flawed science which does not up hold to scientific scrutiny. The
article was published in the Lancet in 1999
Ewen SW, Pusztai A (1999) Effect of diets containing
genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus
nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. Lancet 354:1353-
And prompted the Editor of the Lancet to make the following
comments "The research letter by Ewen and Pusztai
was received by the journal towards the end of 1998.
Since then, it has been peer reviewed by six specialist
advisers - a nutritionist, a human pathologist, a
veterinary pathologist, and agricultural geneticists, a
plant molecular biologist and a statistician - who had
several requests for clarification about the design of
Continued on Pg. 27
Come visit the Belize Ag Report
Booth. Many of our writers will
be there. Let's sit on hay bales
and talk agriculture!
April 29-May 1, 2011
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5 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011
Organic Production
Bugs in the Garden!
By Greg Clark
When we think of bugs in the garden, many bells and whistles
sound the alarm, but actually, bugs in the garden can be a
wonderful addition. I am referencing the beneficial insects.
Now, let's list the predators.
The Predators:
The ladybugs, called Coccinellids. They feed on
aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and mites. Predatory ladybugs
are usually found on plants where aphids or scale insects are,
and they lay their eggs near their prey, to increase the likelihood
that the larvae will find the prey easily. Coccinellids also require
a source of pollen for food and are attracted to specific types of
plants. The most popular ones are any type of mustard plant,
as well as other early blooming nectar and pollen sources, like
buckwheat, coriander, red or crimson clover, and legumes like
vetches, and also early aphid sources, such as bronze fennel,
dill, cilantro, caraway, angelica, tansy, yarrow, of the wild carrot
family, Apiaceae. Other plants that also attract ladybugs include
coreopsis, cosmos (especially the white ones), and scented
The trichogramma wasps. Trichogramma wasps are nearly
microscopic, non-stinging wasps that very effectively prevent
damaging infestations of many types of caterpillars. They are
completely harmless to people and animals and have little effect
on butterfly populations. These wasps lay their eggs inside
the eggs of the caterpillars, and their larvae then destroy the
caterpillar eggs as the young wasps grow.
The attraction of the beneficial insects is very important in
the aspect of organic farming methods. Planting to attract the
specific insects is the magnet needed to ensure a security force
for your production vegetables. Intercropping or adjacent
planting of the attracting plants ensures that the insect balance
will be maintained for the farming area. Once established,
the balance will always be automatically maintained in the
area. Any interjection of an insecticide will tip the scale of
insect balance. Without the two listed beneficial insects in the
farming operation, the balance of insects will quickly change
to the consumption insects and the vegetable production will
rapidly decrease. Always, specifically plant for the benefits of the
free, small workers in your garden. The beneficial insects will
work for you 24/7, and happily keep the balance of the insect
population in the garden.
Quality Meat and Diary Products
at reasonable prices. across ,'
the street from o-ox Han-nah
Restaurant, San Ignaclo
Tel: Jolhn - 824-4014
Do you have some knowledge or opinion that
you would like to have printed in The Belize Ag
Report? We welcome contributed articles, as well
as letters to the editor and ideas for articles. Your
contributions will improve the paper. Kindly send
663-6777. Thank you.
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 6
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Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Feahiring beautiful properties along the shores of
the Caribbean Sea to pristine jungle hideatvays in
the Alaya Mountains.
We have this and so much more at a price you can
Let Ceiba Realty help get you your piece of
paradise today.
We have buyers looking for rivetrfontfarmlland,
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Listing is free.
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3rd Annual Organic Fair
Friday Oct. 28th 6 Sat. Oct. 29th, 2011
PG Central Park
We will have on display:
Fruits * vegetables * fruit trees * Locally made chocolate
Timber trees * Local chickens * Local chicken eggs * Tilapia Fish
Piglets * Pesticides-Insecticides and Fungicides
A variety of teas:
Moringa tea * Lemon grass tea * Ginger tea * Exotic chocolate tea
Just to name a few..And all organically grown !!!
Gardening Skills * Composting * Ecological Planting Methods
Bird watching * Cooking Classes with Gomier
Tours to numerous organic farms of SHI's * Participant families
Interviews with farmers * Justa Stove * Solar Composting Latrine
Also Featuring:
Entertainment night with Live Drumming and Marimba Players * SHI Drama Club Performances * Brand Raffle
Children Games - Face painting * Sidewalk Drawing * Pinecone Birdfeeders
For more info: Contact us at: SHI Belize, Country Director: Nana Mensah
West Street, Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize C.A.
Phone: 00501-722 2010 * Email: email@example.com * Website: www.sustainableharvest.org
Planting the seeds for a better tomorrow!
7 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
By Jenny Wildman
Anyone growing up in a cold climate may have come to regard
bath time as the best part of the day. For soaking, relaxing,
dreaming, planning, and pondering, the tub is the perfect
place. Here I am steeped in bubbles of a magical mineral
mix considering the meaning of survival and how it relates
to sustainability. What a complexity! Look around at all the
communities becoming reliant on commercially packaged
foods and bottled drinks, cultivating a taste for imports.
Survival will come only from knowledge of the natural
products that surround us and respectful preservation of
the environment. There is, however, a back swing from the
ultra-main-stream consumerist way of thinking: a life that
embraces curiosities instead of dampening it with distractions.
Increased interest in TV programs such as Bizarre Foods and
National Geographic specials may have us experimenting.
Some of those strange foods can be found in our midst.
I reach for my back scrubber which resembles a giant
shredded wheat. This is a loofah, often mistaken for a sea
sponge but is, in fact, cousin to the cucumber from the family
cucurbitaceae. It has numerous names: loofah, luffa, sing qua
in Cantonese, patola in the Phillipines, dodka in India, oyong
in Indonesia, Chinese okra, saykua, jhingey, turai, peechinga
in Malaya, and silk gourd. This is a popular food in many
subtropical and tropical regions. It comes in many shapes and
sizes, squat to skinny, ridged or smooth ranging from 8 to 30
inches in length. The ridged ones look like a huge okra. There
are numerous varieties to choose from and many hybrids have
charming titles: Ace, Summer Cross, Green Glory, Smooth
Boy, Asian Pride, and Lucky Boy. A few seeds from the dry
fruit will get you started and children will be most excited to
include these in a growing exercise. In a sunny location the
exotic vine starts growing easily and rapidly up rough posts,
chain link fence or trellis, as long as it can cling to something
sturdy as the pendulous fruit is heavy. Bright yellow, waffle
cotton petals attract bees and other insects to get busy in
the pollination process from the male flower clusters to the
lone female flowers recognizable by the large ovary at the
base of the bloom. As the flower falls a gourd appears in its
place and, although off to a champion start, the loofah can be
slow growing and can take more than 160 days to reach full
maturity. Earlier the spongy young gourds can be harvested as
a vegetable and the leaves, shoots, buds and flowers are also
edible. The peeled soft green gourd with texture rather like a
raw oyster is quite tasty and very good in stir fry, soup, curries,
stews and chutney. Everything perks up with garlic so throw a
little in and wok it. Seeds can be toasted as a snack like pepitos.
To enhance a salad add the delicately flavoured raw flowers.
Allowing the gourd to grow fully, its vascular structure
becomes a mesh of fibers, the skin turns brown and papery,
then sheds, leaving the skeletal interior to be harvested
for construction material; it can be made into mats, hats,
sandals, cleaning powder, soap, pot scrubbers or simply a
skin polisher. For hygienic use of your kitchen scourer, wash
well after each use and dry in the sun. Initially you must wash
and bleach off any dark spots on the loofah and sun dry it.
You can then harvest the black and brown seeds from inside
the pockets of the dishcloth structure. Save them and store
in a cool dry place even the refrigerator or freezer for long
term. When planting, use moist soil to aid germination and
crack the edge of the seed for a faster start. The loofah cross-
pollinates easily so it is better to separate different varieties.
Some are more susceptible to insects but the sap contains a
bitter substance that repels animals so it could be an excellent
plant to put around the perimeter of a garden. That bitter
liquid luffeine has been used medicinally for centuries as
an anti-inflammatory and for purifying the blood. Leaves
are used for conjunctivitis, amenorrhea, eczema and nasal
blockage. Roots are used for a purge or as a laxative. Seeds are
used to expel worms. Medicinal claims also include improving
blood circulation; dispersing fever; and treating arthritic
pain, swelling, hay fever, rheumatism, jaundice and shingles.
Nutritionally, opinions vary andtypes differ, but it can be a good
source of calcium, iron, phosphorus and antioxidants. As a
caution: some varieties maynotbe edible. Checkfirst and always
sample new foods in moderation to look for potential allergies.
As to a survival food .. well it got me thinking of many other,
probably better candidates. The more we try the more we learn.
So grow one of your own and you decide what to do with it. This
miracle plantissoversatile itislimitedonlybyourimaginations.
Feel free to send me your comments and to those who have
responded to previous articles, sharing experiences, recipes
and ideas, a sincere thank you.
Jenny Wildman
Spectarte Art and Garden Gallery
* Studio and Salon
Wellness t
Beauty v
Call 533-8019
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 8
Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Brazil's Candidate for Director General of the FAO,
Dr. Jose Graziano da Silva
Former President of Brazil,
President Ignacio Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva presentedinlate
2010, his country's nominee
for Director General of the
United Nation's Food and
Agriculture Organization
(FAO), Dr. Jose Graziano
da Silva. The new Brazilian
head of state, President
Dilma Rousseff has likewise
endorsed Dr. Graziano da
Silva. The elections will be
held in Rome which is the
home of FAO headquarters,
at their 37th Conference there
between June 25 to July 2, 2011. Belize has enthusiastically
endorsed and supports Dr Graziano da Silva's candidacy.
Dr. Graziano da Silva's first degree was in Agronomy, then
graduate degrees (2 masters, one PhD then post doctoral
degrees) in Rural Economics ,Sociology, Economic
Sciences, Latin American Studies and Environmental
Studies followed. Becoming a Professor in 1978, he
still serves as a full professor at the State University of
Campinas (UNICAMP). In 2001
he was instrumental as coordinator
for Brazil's very well known "Zero
Hunger" Program. One of the key F
strategies of the "Zero Hunger" \0
Program was direct income transfer
given to women heads of households,
based on income levels and on
performance keeping in children in school. So well did
he perform , that President Lula appointed Dr. Graziano
da Silva as Extraordinary Minister of Food security and
Fight Against Hunger, where he had greater responsibility
to implement the "Zero Hunger" Program. The "Zero
Hunger" Program is credited with lifting out of extreme
poverty, over 24 million people in just 5 years, and
reducing hunger/undernutrition by 25% too. In 2006 he
became Regional Representative for Latin America and the
Caribbean and Assistant Director-General.
Dr. Graziano da Silva has 25 published books and has
received many awards for his work; awards include the
Rio Branco Order, the Paulista Medal for Scientific and
Technological Merit, and the Brazilian Society of Rural
Economics, Administration and Sociology Award. He
speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. He is married,
with two children and two grandchildren. We wish Dr.
Graziano da Silva the best of luck.
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COMMON WeALT-rH DAY
Wine & Chocolate
Cacao for Kids --"
Cacao Trad and Sea Toledo tours
Evening Culhure in Harmony music OIStiwLct.V "kOCOLsltec, ltverse c ltitr-s
S(NDAtY~ 2:ZND MAY
Folkloric ballet and
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 9
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Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
History of Sawmilling
By Stephen Cook
Circle sawing lumber has been around for many hundreds of
years, and even with the introduction of the portable bandsaw
about 3oyrs. ago, the basic goal is still the same: to get a usable
piece of lumber from a log.
Early on, prior to the invention of engines and the modern
sawmill, lumber or planks were made by splitting, shaving or
planing the wood until it was usable. Later, with the invention
of the cross-cut saw and the whipsaw, better lumber could be
made faster. With the whipsaw, one man was on top of the log
and another was underneath in a pit, and it is not surprising
that the man in the pit was appropriately called the 'Pitman'.
Regardless of how much better this process was, it was still slow
and back-breaking work.
Later, with the use of water power and in the Netherlands even
with wind power, crankshafts and belting with lead or babbit
bearings were used to power the first mechanical mills for
cutting lumber. These mills date back at least to the 12th century
A.D. Interestingly enough a stone cutting sawmill dating as far
back as the 3rd century A.D. has been found in what is modern
day Turkey.
From the ancient days of the whipsaw, came the wide band
saw and circular saws. Sawmills with these saws were often
powered by an old tractor, truck, or by jacking up one wheel
on a car and putting a flat drive belt around the wheel to power
the blade. If you remember the TV show The Waltons, then you
may remember that they used a sawmill like this.
When we were growing up in the late 6o's and early 70's we
serviced sawmills within a 150 miles of our home. The larger
sawmills were usually the ones that used the wide band saws,
and most of the smaller sawmills were circle saw mills. Probably
95% of the sawmills we serviced had circle saws. The circle saws
ranged in size, normally from about 48 inches to 6o inches
in diameter. They normally turned about 550 RPM. (speed of
circle blades is measured in rounds per minute (RPM) but band
blades in feet per minute (FPM)).
Our dad had 3 different mills while we were growing up until
we were young men. Each ran a blade that was 52 inches in
diameter. Our power source was a D9 Caterpillar engine that
was set up to run with a 12 inch wide flat belt to power the saw
blade. Later we converted it to a C-section V-belt drive. This
worked much better and was much safer than the flat belt.
We cut grade lumber, cross ties, and pallet stock. I have many
exciting stories I could tell about those days, and although it
was always hard work, I loved it. I was young and strong and
sawmilling made me feel and "look" like a man.
As we continued servicing and running sawmills in the early
198o's narrow thin kerf blades began to be used for sawing
logs. Early on we weren't sure that they would ever saw fast and
accurate enough to be of much commercial use. But by the early
90's we saw that the thin kerf band saw mill would be around
to stay.
We had always built parts for sawmills as part of the service
we provided, so we decided to begin manufacturing our own
bandsaw mills. We built a large mill with the ability to saw
and turn larger logs up to 36" in diameter. This mill was larger
than any of the other manufacturers that were building at the
time. With the size of the log cut and several other innovations
that were unique to bandsaws, such as the chain log turner
and board drag back, we solidified our place in the bandsaw
industry. Ultimately, our type mill produced more quality wood
faster and easier.
Today, the thin kerf blade has become the blade of choice
among sawmillers, even with the eco-friendly groups, because
it cuts less sawdust in each pass which roughly saves a 3/16"
thick piece of wood with each cut. Multiply that savings by
millions of cuts and there is quite a bit of wood that once would
have been sawdust that has become useable lumber with the
help of thin kerf band blades.
Tim (my brother) and I have spent all of our lives around
sawmills; it is in our blood. It is really amazing how far
sawmills have come, considering the speed and accuracy of cut
and life of thin kerf bandsaw blades. With the experience we
have obtained over the years working around sawmills, we have
been granted a patent and have applied for another patent on
special technology that is making thin kerf sawmills even faster.
We look forward to more new and exciting developments in
the future and believe that we will be there participating and
contributing to make the sawmilling experience enjoyable and
more profitable.
Note: Stephen Cook is the co-owner of Cook's Saw
Mfg., LLC.
(501) 669-6253 Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 10 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 11 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
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Getting to Know the HACCP
Standards for Food Safety
By Karin Westdyk HACCP))
The mission of the Belize Agricultural Health b C F '
Authority (BAHA) is to provide optimum, > 'At
competent and professional services in food
safety, quarantine, and plant and animal
health in order to safeguard the health of the nation and
facilitate trade and commerce.
HazardAnalysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), administered
in Belize by BAHA, is a food safety certification program
that was literally "launched" by the space program when the
US-based National Air and Space Administration (NASA)
needed to provide the first foods that would remain safe for
consumption in outer space. Pillsbury Foods developed that
system which has evolved into the current HACCP standards
for food safety, now the accepted standard for importing and
exporting foods throughout the world.
HACCP is based on 7 principals:
1. Conducting a hazard analysis. - Identifying all
possible hazards that might compromise the safety of a
food product, and then developing a plan with preventive
measures to control these hazards. A food safety hazard
is any biological, chemical, or physical property that may
cause a food to be unsafe for consumption.
2. Identifying critical control points. - A critical
control point (CCP) is a point, step, or procedure in a
food manufacturing process, where it is possible to apply
a safety control measure to prevent a safety hazard.
3. Establishing critical limits for each critical
control point. - For each critical control point, a limit
is established based on a maximum or minimum value
to which a potential hazard must be controlled in order
to prevent, eliminate, or reduce the hazard to acceptable
4. Establishing critical control point monitoring
requirements. - In order to insure maximum success,
monitoring activities are essential to ensure that the
plan is working at each critical control point. It is
recommended that each monitoring procedure and its
frequency be listed in the HACCP plan.
5. Establishing corrective actions. - These are the
corrective actions to be taken when monitoring indicates
any deviation from the established procedures.
6. Establishing record keeping procedures. - HACCP
regulations require that all plants maintain certain
documents: the hazard analysis and written HACCP plan
that includes the established critical points and limits, all
monitoring records, verification activities, and records of
any processing deviations.
7. Establishing validation procedures for insuring
the HACCP system is working as intended. -
Validation insures that a plan is being followed. Processing
plants are required to validate their own HACCP plans.
According to Dr. Miguel Figueroa, Deputy Director of Food
Safety Services at BAHA, the US FDA is currently conducting
a public discussion on their Food Safety Modernization Act.
"This Act, once it is passed, will require all establishments
exporting to the US to be HACCP certified. Therefore, all
establishments that presently are exporting to the US will
be required to be HACCP certified, or to be processing under
HACCP systems/principles."
In Belize, BAHA is helping the agricultural and fishing
industries to be aware of HACCP standards and to voluntarily
develop their own safety plans to insure that food for Belizeans
is also safe.
Several Belizean industries exporting their products, such
as the Citrus Products of Belize (CPBL), PG Fisheries, Marie
Sharp, Belize Aquaculture Ltd., and Aquamar already have
HACCP certification. Other plants such as Caribbean Chicken,
Quality Poultry, Western Dairies, Running W, and Beefmaster
have a HACCP plan in place, but are not yet certified by BAHA,
though they are encouraged to do so. Several other plants
inspected by BAHA are currently operating under what is
known as "Good Manufacturing Practices".
The procedure for becoming certified is not complex, but it
can be expensive. According to Mike Thomas, Managing
Director of BAHA, this can be done in phases.
When an industry decides to develop a safety plan, a trained
technical consultant must be hired to develop that plan. Though
BAHA maintains a list of certified HACCP consultants, they do
not develop the plans. But, they do review them (minimum
cost is $500) and once approved, there is a registration fee of
$750. A checklist for compliance is developed and then there
is a yearly fee for auditing to insure compliance.
Depending on the industry, a compliance checklist includes
all the steps in processing the food. For example: where the
food comes from; how it is grown, transported, cleaned and
stored; the ingredients put into the product; the machinery
involved in processing (maintenance and service); facility
cleanliness; and how the product is handled throughout the
process of getting it to the consumer.
Ultimately, food safety standards will likely be the norm
everywhere, so it is important for those who are involved in
any of the processing steps -- from the grower of ingredients
to the seller -- to be fully aware of these standards and to begin
incorporating safety procedures in their own work.
BAHA is very willing to help, and will provide experts to meet
with and speak to groups and organizations involved in the
food processing industry in order to increase knowledge and
encourage all to incorporate and practice the established
safety standards for their industry. Those interested can call
BAHA's offices in Belmopan at 822-0818 or 822-0197.
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 12 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
from thev Mxiean Nide
Tourism contributes to the revitalization of the culture, the
customs and the arts, and signifies an incoming fountain of
renewal for the receiving population. Nevertheless, without
control or planning, tourism may adversely affect for the
quality of life, and convert cultural expressions, leaving them
without content.
Given that tourism is a multidisciplinary activity, one needs
to be specialized in the study of cultural diversity and in
intercultrual, commercial and economic relations. Political
boundaries need to dissolve so that nature has no borders,
only cultural and intercultural characteristics.
It is important to note that the realization of the sustainability
of tourism depends largely on the authenticity of the regional
culture. For this to be made possible, one has to insert
into the plan of rural tourism, a thread with corridors or
routes without tourist borders, i.e.countries that permit
the interchange of culture, folk artistry, biodiversity and
the commerce of regional tourism (partly private initiative
and the local promotion). The only form to make tourism
sustainable in rural setting is by means of the conservation
and encouragement of the indigenous characteristics of the
locale. Change by outsiders to the local cultural medium
generally provokes the devaluation of the tourist product,
losing its attractiveness for the tourist.
The other point of consideration for sutainability is that this
modality of tourism ought not to be massive, given that this
also provokes the loss of value of the product converting it to
more 'canned', rather than genuine product.
The commerce of international toursim permits a major
mobility of factors of production among several countries,
and consequently there can be the following advantages:
* Each country is specialized in those products or services
wherein it feels that it has a major efficiency, permitting
the best utilization of its productive resources and this
elevates the standard of living of its workers.
* Prices are managed to be more stable.
* Importation is facilitated by that country, of commodities
of which the country's domestic production is not
sufficient or which it cannot produce.
* A window of opportunity is created to offer products that
exceed the consumption of other destination countries
and markets.
* The movement of tourists entering and leaving, in
addition to the merchandise bought, brings a measure of
balance in the international market.
* Foreign mercantile destinations to be used for tourism
that are outside the known territorial tourist areas, like
fringes, frontiers, and free zones, are given penetration
through tourist knowledge/understanding.
For its part, the value of tourism business, like products
for exportation, comprises the reevaluation of the principal
operations of agricultural, fishing and artistic endeavors, when
the assigned value for the said products does not correspond
with the price quotation of the international market.
Like the introductory tourist mechanism it is possible to
observe the economic-cultural importance that one is able
to classify for the country of tourist origin, which introduces
different forms of vision for production, economics, politics
and cultures.
On the other hand, tourist experiences can also generate
and CAYO, BELIZE
Do you have an agricultural product you
wish to export to Southern Mexico?
We are interested in organic fruits and
vegetables, specialty and gourmet items -
and other native food products - for testing
in Southern Mexican Market.
lLes gustaria probar products belicefos
para su negoio o restaurant? contactenos
y le mandaremos un listado de los
products disponibles.
Would you like to try Belizean products for
your business or restaurant? Contact us and
we will send you a list of available products.
Please Contact Roberto Rivas at:
TEL: 00 (52) 984-875-9068 or
00 (52) 984-115-5316 (Mexico)
undesirable memories of mediocre ambiance, physicality, and
cultural economics of the country visited. Tourism and its
related commerce to be recreated must be multi-angular in
This demonstrates that the best showcases for the general
markets for tourism are among the countries and the variety
of production that generally form their cultural and political
administration. To break barriers to tourism, one will have
to permit the breaking of international commerce, inserting a
thread of corridors without tourist borders.
By Carlos Manuel Joaquin Gonzalez
President de la Comisi6n de Tuirsmo
de la LXI Legislatura del H. Congress de la Uni6n.
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 13 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Micro Financing: A Key Strategy For
Poverty Reduction In Rural Belize
Why Focus on Micro Financing?
Belize, like any other developing country in Latin America and
the Caribbean (LAC), requires a huge focus on micro finance,
as a strategy that helps alleviate poverty in permanent, self-
sustaining ways. According to the poverty assessment report
of 2009 from the Ministry of Economic Development (MED),
43% of the Belizean population lives under the poverty line.
The report also indicated that the southern districts, Stann
Creek & Toledo, and now Corozal District, especially in the
rural communities, had a larger percentage of the population
living under the poverty line than in the rest of Belize.
It is known that 48.17% of our population live in rural areas
and 58.37% live in urban areas. The statement above justifies
the urgent need to implement rural development programs
(RDP) to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of
the communities. The implementation of RDP, such as
micro financing, can provide opportunity for small business
development that can be sustainable, if it is managed
It is evident, that in the areas where few jobs can be found
or available, the salaries earned often don't pay a living
wage. In order to survive, the poor populations of the rural
communities need to create their own tiny businesses or
"micro enterprises." To support their families with basic
needs, these "micro entrepreneurs" can start by making
tortillas, sew clothes, mend shoes or sell vegetables in the
street and so on.
Who Should Benefit From Micro Financing?
It is evident that the clients who should benefit from micro
financing are those who live in rural areas and develop
agricultural activities to sustain their families every day of
the week. In the majority of the scenarios, the rural poor have
little or no capital to grow their businesses, which causes the
entrepreneurial poor to remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Furthermore, to borrow capital to open a small business in
Belize today, the borrower must pay approximately 10 to
18% interest rates at commercial banks. With these levels
of interest rates, it is complicated to continue creating small
business in Belize, because of the return on investment (ROI),
especially when it comes to agricultural commodities where
the consumer perception is to purchase the best quality
of product, at the lowest price ever. The introduction of
commodities from neighboring countries, such as Guatemala
and Mexico, has created a more difficult condition for rural
farmers because of competitiveness and lack of incentive to
promote internal consumption.
Establishing Micro Financing Assistance
The explanation above calls for the establishment of
micro financing services or a program of an international
organization, such as FINCA or ACCION, to consider Belize as
one of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, where
there is a need to minimize rural poverty in order to fulfill one
of the key objectives of their millennium development goals
(MDG). In the graph below you can observe the regional break
down and distribution with regards to access to micro finance.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT and
For all your consultancy needs in
Visit us at our website
or Email: email@example.com
Regional Breakdown of Access to Microfinance
4.8 1.1 3.5 0.06
Asia Africa & Middle East LA & Carib
S# of Poorest Families U MFI Outreach
Source: Finca International
Europe & NIS
In order to promote the right product at the right price
and at the right time to satisfy our growing customers, these
micro finance agencies can provide the following services for
sustainable development and growth of rural communities
that can be strategies at regional level within the country of
* Savings
* Insurance
* Working Capital Loan
* Consumer Loan
* Educational and Technical Assistance
* Remittance
* Emergency Loan
By: Romaldo Isaac Lewis (MBA & Agronomist)
Website: http://www.agricones.com
Cell (501) 6208481
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 14 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
On Keel
By Dr
This series of articles
will discuss the
small-scale rearing of
guinea pigs for food
and pets. By way of
introduction, let us
discuss the history
and origin, taxonomy
and varieties of the
guinea pig (Cavia
ping Guinea Pigs-
.Alessandro Mascia
~r ~~fl* W
and gills...do any of you know what that means?!?); in Class
Mammalia (warm-blooded craniates with a hair coat and
which nourish their young from mammary glands); in Order
Rodentia (have a single row of upper and lower paired incisors
which grow continuously; no canine teeth...yeah, like rats);
of the Family Caviidae (tailess South American rodents with
one pair of mammary glands; four digits on the front feet and
three digits on the hind feet); Genus Cavia; Species porcellus
(you guessed it...that means pig!).
To finish off this first installment, let's talk about guinea pig
varieties: Since most cavy fanciers are not into eating their
charges, varieties or "types" or "breeds," are characterized by
the length, texture and direction of growth of hair notjuiciness
of meat, crackliness of roasted skin or dressed carcass weight.
The English variety have short, smooth, straight hair; the
Abyssinian varieties are characterized by short, coarse
hair that radiate from multiple centres on the body to form
rosettes; and the Peruvian variety has long, silky hair up to
six inches (15 cm) long. All varieties come in solid colours
(including albino, white, black, agouti, red, chocolate...and
lots more), or are bi-coloured or tri-coloured. Members of
the various cavy associations throughout the world will take
offence at this vast over-simplification of varieties but such
is life and most of us can Google if we want more detail. I
don't think the Ag Report readership cares about the different
laboratory strains (and there are many!) so I haven't even
mentioned them.
In our next issue, we will discourse on the anatomy and
physiology of guinea pigs.
Export & Import
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 15 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
The origin of the guinea pig is unclear but the wild form
(Cavia aperea) is widely distributed in Argentina, Uruguay
and Brazil; Cavia cutleri is still wild in Peru. It is called
cuyo, cobayo or curi in Spanish, and is one of the few animals
that was able to be domesticated in the Americas in pre-
Colombian times along with the llama. The Spanish found
that the Andean Indians had domesticated Cavia cutleri
and used them as food and for religious sacrifices. With the
establishment of the Spanish Colonial Empire, they continued
to be used for food. It is an interesting aside that paintings
such as the last supper have included the guinea pig as the
main course meal!
In the 1500's, Dutch sailors introduced the guinea pig into
Europe and by the 1770's, they probably reached the United
States as pets and fancy animals. Today, guinea pigs are still
raised as a meat animal mostly in the Andean countries of
Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia. In Peru alone 65 million
guinea pigs are raised, with 21 million animals slaughtered
yearly, producing 16,500 tons of high quality meat (which is
6.5% of Peru's meat production), most of which is consumed
by the poorer rural population where it is an important source
of animal protein. In the rest of the world, guinea pigs are
generally raised as pets or as laboratory animals which are
used to test new drugs and products before further testing in
The origin of the name "guinea pig" is vague and the name
used by "people in the know" or fanciers is "cavy." It has
been suggested that "guinea" may have been derived from the
fact that trading ships may have travelled via Guinea in West
Africa or by way of Guiana; take your pick! Undoubtedly,
however, the fact remains that a prepared cavy does resemble
a suckling pig; the carcass is prepared for eating by scalding
and scraping, just like a hog; adult females are called "sows,"
while adult males are called "boars" and the process of giving
birth, or parturition, is referred to as "farrowing." Finally, as
anybody who has kept guinea pigs can attest, they just can't
stop eating and make absolute, well...pigs of themselves!
I'm going to sneak the taxonomy of the guinea pig in here in
one long sentence, for completeness sake, which, hopefully,
some of you will read and many of you will forget as quickly as
possible - much like a ride to PG on a regular James Line Bus!
Here goes: The guinea pig belongs to the Animal Kingdom
(surprise, surprise!); in Phylum Chordata (has notochord
Westrac Ltd
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 16 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 17
Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
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By Marjie Olson
"Laminitis" a.k.a. "Founder".
The inside of a horse's hoof is made up of "Laminae", or fibrous
structures that have blood flowing through them, allowing the
hoof to grow and stay healthy. In the center of the hoof capsule,
surrounded by this laminae is the coffin bone (also known as P3
or pedal bone). Laminitis occurs when the laminae get inflamed
and are being damaged and Founder is the extreme end of that
when the laminae have died and the coffin bone drops its front
side down, toward the sole of the hoof. Laminitis can be cured if
caught early enough. Founder cannot be but is rather a matter of
life and, at times, the need to euthanize the horse..
Founder or Laminitis can be brought on in many ways; for
example, when a horse gets sick or colic, overeats, is obese, gets
put out on too rich or too much grass, is worked on too hard a
ground with poor quality feet, is stressed severely, or has its feed
changed all at once. These or a hundred other circumstances can
trigger this very painful, very hard to treat issue.
The common thought here in Belize is that horses cannot founder
on grass...WRONG! IF they have not been gradually introduced
to it or are already overweight and are allowed too much time on
a good rich grass, they will founder. But a horse does not have
to be FAT to founder. Stress and illness can be triggers for any
horse. A bad pounding on hard ground for horses with low sole
or low-angled hooves are prone to "concussion founder". But
statistically, fat horses have a bigger chance of founder. There
are times when a fat horse that is not getting fed a lot of feed or
much grass, has a thyroid condition, another topic for a later day.
When Laminitis is occurring, it is easily recognizable...The horse
may rock back on its hind end, trying to take weight off its front
feet, walk with a stiff gait in front, and may lie down a lot more
than usual. There will also be a pounding pulse found at the base
of the heels, in that little deep groove in between the heels.
60% of a horse's weight is in its front end; so those front hooves
take a lot of wear and tear. When a horse develops Laminitis and
its feet are pounding and blood is pulsing beyond the norm, it is
very painful. Removing all feed, administering Bute, cold hosing
the feet and getting the horse onto soft ground is needed ASAP.
If caught in time, the horse will recover in a few days, but be
aware that once a horse has had a laminitis episode, it will be
prone to having another. So knowing what started the episode
is imperative to stop another occurrence. Each episode damages
more laminae tissue and creates a closer situation for actual
Founder. Once the coffin/pedal bone has "rotated" you have a
lame horse, of varying degrees, for life. Special shoes, such as
heart bars and Combi Pads may be helpful to stabilize the coffin
bone and make horse more comfortable.
Ecotel Four, Ecotourism Jungle Lodge
Ole 0ol 0l Polaces to See Before You e.
Horseback riding lours, hiking, bird watching.
butterfly gardens, waleflals, river cave
exploration, and vehicle tours to Caracol.
unanlunich, Cahal Pech, El Pilar, Pacilun & Tikal.
Phone: 669-1124
firstname.lastname@example.com - www.metbelize.com
Mile 8 Mountain Pine Ridge Road, Cayo. Belize
A severely foundered horse can actually grow a toe that curls
back and looks like an elf shoe. I will admit, the "local" horses in
Belize are less likely to founder then an imported one. At times
I don't think folks give the local horses enough credit. They are
usually tough as nails and stay sound much longer then a high
bred imported horse. The cross of the local to an import, seems
to make a nice horse. Once a few generations of the local horse
have crossed into the import, you usually get a sounder horse.
Have a great Easter, and check out the TCER and other news
on the Belizehorses.com web site and http://Poozieswicked.
blogspot.com ...and here is a thought for all of you which has
become my new slogan..."Don't ever sell your saddle, cause life's
a long, long ride". Miss you, John.
Marjorie Olson, Light Rein Farm, 5 mile Mtn. Pine
Ridge Rd. Cayo District, Belize.
Marjie Olson has brought
"M. Olson Farrier Services"
To the Cayo District
20 years of shoeing experience-36 years professional horse trainer
Available for farrier, training, lessons, clinics
Specialize in therapeuticc shoeing and a light handed approach to training and teaching. Western, huntseat, showmanship, trail and speed events.
WVy not leam something new-get your horse more comfortable-get more comfortable on your horse-enjoy the ride even more!
Yes t's Belize But that doesn't mean you can t advance you and your horse.
Email: Snotzy08@live cor or 663-4609, please be aware , email and phone services are limited at this time, it could be a day or two to get back with you
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 18 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
By Marjie Olson
The final run for the Triple Crown Endurance Race was held
February 19t But even with rainy soggy skies and wet trails,
it was a great event. Two new riders joined the ranks of being
a TCER contestant and received their string bag full of TCER
merchandise and Uckele product and snacks.
The weather held down the crowds of spectators, but those
that attended had an exciting race to watch. With the cooler
weather and rain, the horses cooled faster than ever and were
out in record time making for tight races to the finish. First and
second place was a true "race" to the finish with Davina Bedran
on Conquistador getting nudged out by a nose from Gabe
Baron on Lil Bit. So Gabe Baron swept all three TCERaces, was
awarded the title of Triple Crown Endurance Race CHAMPION
and took home a total of over $2,400.00 combined and 4
trophies, Uckele product and one big smile! Davina Bedran was
the TCER reserve Champion with a 2nd, 4t and a 2nd place finish
and has won over $1200.00 as well as 4 trophies and numerous
Uckele products. A total of over $5000.00 was paid out for
the Triple Crown Endurance Races and Open Shows.
Please say thanks to the sponsors are who made this event
possible: Belize Equestrian Academy and Light Rein Farm,
Belize Natural Energy and Reimers Feed Mill, The Barn and
Grill, San Ignacio Hotel and Olde Mill, Belize Agriculture
Report, Cheers, Caribbean Treasure, Yalback Sawmill, 10
Development, Pine Lumber and Three Flags.
And thanks so much to the helpers and volunteers who were
so important to this amazing event: John Carr and Johnny
Johnson for doing an awesome job judging the horse show after
the TCER; Chuck Curcio, Maruja Vargus, Cynthia Reece, John
Roberson II, The BEA and Olde Mill crews, THANK YOU!
Watch for our colorful T shirts and backpacks around the
country and come on out for the 2011, 2nd running of the
TRIPLE CROWN ENDURANCE RACE. Dates will be in
October for the 20 miler, November for the 25 and December
for the 30 miler, with hopes of running a 15 miler in September
as a prelude to the TCER's and possibly a 50 miler in February.
Don't miss these events for a sponsorship opportunity for
your business; there is nothing else like it in Belize. Check out
Belizehorses.com, Barn and Grill Facebook page or http://
Poozieswicked.blogspot.com for more photos and updated
information. Or contact Shotzyo8(live.com or 663-4609 or
tre robersonvyahoo.com
Horseshoeing Clinic
Horseshoeing clinic at the Belize Equestrian Academy with
Marjie Olson of Light Rein Farm. May 14th and May 15th
Learn to create a better angle of hoof, how to truly fit a
shoe for certain purposes, how to help sore feet, thin soles,
shelly hooves, using pads and the different kinds and see a
variety of shoes and tools available,...open discussions. PRE
Register for $20.00 for the day or pay at clinic $30.00. Clinic
hours will be 9:30 to 4:30 with a half hour lunch break.
Bring your equipment if you want to do "hands on" and if
you have a horse with an issue and would like it used in
clinic, contact Marjie to see if a slot is available. 2 horses
per day will be used for demos and will be shod a minimum
of two feet.
Barrel Racing & Pole Bending Clinic
Barrel Racing and Pole Bending Clinic at Belize Equestrian
Academy with Marjie Olson of Light Rein Farm: May 8th-
Sunday and May 21st-Saturday, Time 9:30 to 4:30 with half
hour lunch. Bring your horse and equipment. Test ride in
our equipment. We will focus on making your runs faster
and safer and help you win more money at the barrel
events. Clinic fees are $20.00 pre registered and $30.00
day of clinic. Stalls available for the day for $25.00. or Ride
orTrailer in.
For more info Contact Marjie at 663-4609 or
firstname.lastname@example.com, check out Belizeshorses.com,
http://Poozieswicked.blogspot.com or BelizeAgReport.com
or stop in to the BEA Mon mornings or Wednesdays.
11ATIVIICIITSA iIMM LE
CENTEL FAiH LICHEN
i 501-621-3432
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 19
Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Live Beef Prices In Belize.
Who dictates the price?
My take on it:
by Orlando Habet
Prices for beef cattle have gone all over the place in the past 20
years. The established buyers who are seen as the larger buyers
and/or processors have traditionally paid a little more for beef
than the butcher. However, in most cases the butcher pays the
freight to get the animal to the scale and to his place for slaughter.
The bigger buyers require that the owner transport the cattle to
his scale and place of slaughter. Very few butchers still go around
offering a fixed price per animal based on an eyeballed weight of
cattle on the hoof. Small producers who are in dire need of selling
their cattle are forced to sell their cattle this way.
It was not uncommon to see steer prices at BZ$ .80, heifers at .75
and cows at .45-.50 per pound in the 1980's. In the 90's prices
got a little better but not by much. As late as 1998 cows were
selling for about .65 per pound, heifers at about .90 per pound
and finished steers at .90 per pound. It was during the time of the
Fondo Ganadero Programme that steers and heifers for fattening
made their way up to 1.10 per pound. There was great demand
and at the same time producers and government had different
views about allowing the export of heifers which could potentially
be the country's future breeding stock and parents of the next
In 1999, as then-manager of the BLPA, I suggested to then-
chairman, Mr. Pete Lizarraga, that we needed to form a marketing
committee to address the prices of cattle that were being sold
across the borders (mostly western ). Our top steers 950-1100
lbs were only fetching .95 to 1.oo per pound. We formed the
marketing committee and we laid down the rules. The committee
included the chief veterinarian, the police commissioner, myself
and one member of the BOD of the BLPA. At the AGM of 2000,
I became the chairman of BLPA. We invited the chairman of the
Peten Livestock Association who informed us that steers were
fetching up to BZ$1.45 in the Peten. Immediately following the
AGM we convened our marketing committee and requested that,
in addition to requiring a permit to buy cattle, that the Guatemalan
buyers must carry with them invoice, receipt, number and weight
of the cattle bought and that they must pay 1.25 per pound for
steers. After a few weeks of indecision, the buyers agreed to pay
the 1.25 per pound. Fattened steer prices reached as much as 1.35
per pound both locally and for sale to foreign buyers. Grain-fed
steers were to get an additional 3-5 cents per pound.
In 2008, Feeders were fetching between 1.15 to 1.25 per pound.
Cows were being sold at 1-1.10 per pound on the hoof. It was
after 2008 that prices started deteriorating. Despite an increase
in input costs (staples from 2.00 to 3.50 per lbs., wire from
11o.oo per 400 M roll to 179.00), cattle prices plummeted to
unprecedented lows. Tip-top steers fetched only .90 per pound
and lesser quality steers fetched only .85 per pound. This means
that the sale of looo lb steers fell in less than two years by B$
500.00 per steer sold. Cattle are still being sold by the truckloads
and leave the country without a murmur. While cattle prices in
Guatemala have risen on a monthly basis for the past 8 months,
in Belize we still remain price takers and accordingly should be
thankful that we receive the little .90 per pound of our cattle.
El Salvador, a country with almost 7 million people does not
produce sufficient beef to feed its population. It is therefore a
net importer of beef and live cattle. It is reported that plenty of
our cattle end up in El Salvador for a good price. I want to be
optimistic about the cattle sweep and an eventual export market
to Mexico but I have my reservations about the practicality of an
export market. I do hope that it will come through some day.
By my calculations, for a producer of cattle to make some profit
it requires that he cut down on costs and also receive a price of at
least 1.20 per pound of steer. Fat cows need to be back to 1.oo-
1.10 per pound.
doa z4w d
?or t '"o
Providing delicious and high quality
processed meats and fresh meat cuts
of both Beef and Pork.
Shop at our very own Running W Store and
take advantage of our wholesale prices
r on all products.
Mile 63 Western Highway, Cayo District 1 00%
Tel.: 824-2126/2765, Fax: 824-3522 BFLIZEAN
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
BelizeAgReport.com 20 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
RUNNING W BRAiN
v-t-. /
L^y stSe@
April-May 2011
D Lane
Spanish Lookout
Los Tanihos
Duck Run 3
Duck Run 2
To Santa Famili:
Red Hill
Santa Teresita
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 21 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
"Green to Greening to Guava and
Back to Green: Companion Planting"
The ONLY Demonstrated
Sustainable Solution for Citrus
Part 1
By Maruja Vargas
This is the first part of a two-part article on the invasion of
huangluangbing (HLB), also known as greening, that is
affecting the citrus industry in Belize. There is a demonstrated
solution for maintaining sustainable productivity in Belize's
citriculture in the face of HLB but first let's consider the scope
of the problem.
A crisis of Mass Proportion
Belize is in the midst of an economic crisis of which it is either
unaware or refuses to publicly acknowledge. Either way, the
consequences will be devastating in terms of loss of revenue,
tax base, employment and increase in the negative balance of
Currently there is no cure for HLB. Unchecked, it will destroy
the industry within less than 10 years.
The citrus industry accounts for 65% of the total agricultural
revenue garnered in this country according to a recent report
published by Promefrut (Costa Rica 2010). The ramifications
of a defunct citrus industry can spell misery for Belize.
The Challenges of HLB
HLB is a difficult disease to manage due the non-specific
nature of its symptoms, prolonged latency period in the field,
and the irregular distribution of the pathogen in the plant.
All interim strategies in place globally aim to curb the spread
of the disease, but not eradicate it. The interim measures
have no long-term positive prognosis and lead to a dead end.
For example, China has a 150-year history of HLB and its
systematic application of cultural and nutritional methods did
not curb the incidence of the disease. Brazil's current strategy
consists of (1) healthy nursery plants, (2) eradication of
diseased plants, and (3) chemical control of the vector. Their
researchers state that this is only a short term intervention.
Addressing The Problem in Belize
There is ample literature, including reports published from
China, Brazil, and the US that provide information and insight
into the various strategies, successful and unsuccessful, for
eradication and/or management of "greening" spanning
almost 150 years of 'coping' with this malady. Greening is not
new to the world, only new to Belize.
To effect a viable solution for Belize, government and
stakeholders should first recognize that Belize has its own
unique citricultural industry. On the world scale, Belize
operates small groves. However, there exist in Belize well-
educated agronomists capable of creative thinking and
comparative analysis. They can take advantage of what has
been done successfully in other countries and apply what
they think would work in Belize's own environment. That is,
Belize needs its own well-defined strategy that conforms to
our industry needs according to scale and ecology.
The HLB Task Force program for HLB control in place for
Belize has four parts:
(1) HLB surveying and mapping across all districts to
determine the geographical distribution of the disease, (2)
increased control and eradication of the vector, Asian citrus
psyllid (ACP), (3) free diagnostic services on leaf samples for
growers, and (4) a public awareness and education effort. To
date, the funding for this has come principally from Mexico,
who fears for its own industry.
Current management methods to reduce the spread of the
vector ACP populations depend on insecticides, parasitoids,
predators, and pathogens specific to the psyllid that requires
control in application. Natural enemies of Asian citrus psyllid
include syrphids, chrysopids, at least 12 species ofcoccinellids,
and several species of parasitic wasps, the most important of
which is Tamarixia radiata, which was introduced in Florida.
The use of broad-spectrum, persistent insecticides has certain
drawback in that the chemicals also kill other beneficial
insects, including the natural enemies of psyllids, and can
contaminate surface waters due to runoff.
One may readily see the difficulties, not to mention the
ecological dangers, in eliminating the vector by these methods.
As we enter our 3rd year
producing the Belize Ag Report,
We thank our readers, our
writers and our advertisers.
Please, keep up the dialogue with us:
What you like, what you don't like, and
what you want to see.
Sweet Ting
Pastrlies or Ae Oceasions
Anin od o E G
Llna lll l j 11111.- [l' l ' ll l l ll,1 l "I'| ',ll111 l
* Chava *
'Tree Spinach" the Maya miracle plant
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 22 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
The Botany of Desire, a Plant's-Eye
View of the World
By: Michael Pollan
Published in the United States
by Random House, Inc., New York.
In this refreshingly original narrative, that blends history,
fable, humor and accurate scientific fact, Michael Pollan
tells the story of four domesticated species. In one of the
four sections, he speaks essentially of the concept of parallel
realities, and this concept is tested constantly within the
historical accounts presented here.
Pollan starts out with the apple and the story of Johnny
Appleseed, floating down the Ohio River and then westward
into the Mississippi, with bags of apple seeds, planting
thousands ahead of the westward moving pioneers. Valleys
were adorned with apple blossoms, and as the wagon trains
came over the hill, these beautiful areas were among the
first to be settled. The sweetness of the apple seems to have
domesticated those families and served everyone well.
The tulip and the madness that overtook the world for the
most beautiful and sought-after blossom is an acute reality
check. The "Queen of Night", perhaps as close to black as
a flower gets, appears to draw more light into itself than it
reflects, a "kind of floral black hole". Is it a flower, or a shadow
of a flower? Tulipomania 101 is laid out by Pollan, beginning
with the financial "bubble" in Europe around 1635. At its
top, the trade in tulips was conducted by florists in "colleges",
back rooms of taverns where buyers and sellers met, bidding
the price of certain bulbs into the sky. Two sayings came
from this madness, for prices of some the more prized tulip
varieties reached thousands of dollars (or guilders). The
first is the "Dutch Auction" and the second, "the greater fool
theory". Pollan's wrap-up of the collapse of this trade and
the aftermath, is absolutely astounding, but similar to others
we've seen in modern times. Who was domesticating whom
in the frenzy known as "tulipomania"?
The concept of "parallel realities" is accurately and humorously
expanded in the "intoxication section" on marijuana. Pollan's
personal accounts of experiences with this plant speak for
themselves and are so funny that reading them deserves
acute sobriety. He could be spot on with his thoughts and
reflections, but his stories are certainly a high spot of humor
in this storyteller's collection of plants we have known (or
"heard about"..).
Finally, the potato section, which brings us into the scientific
battleground of the 21st century. Going back to the Irish,
Michael Pollan relates the "lack of control over nature" and
the resultant crisis caused from having only one source of
supply. But will he today eat the genetically modified version
of our potato? Are we kidding ourselves? Is there a parallel
reality in place with GMO, or are we making changes that will
cause crisis in our food supply over time? Pollan, without
a doubt is a wonderful and knowledgeable storyteller and
is so engaging that his profound environmental messages
are effortlessly communicated. Nature in its purest sense,
becomes a loved-one, a family member. No one will come
away from this book without having his/her ideas of nature
stretched and challenged.
In the decade since Michael Pollans' The Botany of Desire
has been circulating, organic food sales in the United States
have grown an average of fifteen percent per year. Many well-
informed parents know about the study published last May in
the journal Pediatrics, linking exposure of organophosphate
pesticides with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Under the current administration the USDA has
expanded and strengthened its organic program like never
before. However, there is a "parallel reality" going on in
agriculture, the likes of which the world has never seen.
We can be grateful that Pollan, one of our wittiest writers
about nature, is also one of our wisest. I find this book to
be an inspiration, that has taken me personally, on a quest
for information about the food we eat, the inherent moral
obligation with which we are faced, and the future of the
health of our planet and its people.
Peter Mayclin (pronounced Mack-lin), who has traveled
to over 70 countries studying agricultural practices, is
a consultant for many land developers, agronomists,
residential sustainable architectural designers, and mentors
Earth stewards throughout the U. S. and Central America.
His e-mail address is: petermayclin(live.com
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 23 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Bird Rescue
What to do if you find a baby bird
or injured bird
by Amanda A. Barber
The first thing you need to do when you find a baby bird
is look around for its parents or its nest. Birds have a much
higher survival rate if they are raised by their parents. If the
bird is not injured or in serious danger, then watch it from
a distance to see if the parents come to it. If they do but for
some reason you cannot put it back into the nest (the nest is
too high or it was destroyed) then poke some holes in the bot-
tom of a plastic margarine tub (in case it rains), line it with
tissues, then tie the tub into the same tree that the nest is in or
one close by with the baby bird in it. If the parents come to the
baby in the new nest then it is ok to leave the baby bird there
as the parents will continue to take care of it.
If you find a bird that is injured or a baby who does not
have parents tending to it then place it in a container such as
a pet carrier or cardboard box lined with tissues or soft cloth.
Old t-shirts work well for this. Always be careful when picking
up a wild bird. Even if a bird looks terribly injured or sick it
still might have the strength to bite you or grab you with its
feet. Once you have placed the bird in a container make sure
it doesn't get too hot or cold, that is, don't leave the container
out in direct sunlight and don't leave the container in an air-
conditioned room. Make sure to put the bird in a dark and
quiet place away from pets and children. Also, although the
urge may be overwhelming, do not hold the animal. Wild
animals are not like domesticated animals and they are only
agitated by human contact, not soothed.
Once the bird is out of harm's way you should call a trained
professional to get advice on what to do next. Sometimes it's a
good idea to give the bird food and water; however, depending
on the age, type of bird, and type of injury this is not always
the case. If a bird is very sick and cannot drink water on its
own then it's possible it could drown in a water dish or choke
if it is forced to eat or drink. If you have found a baby bird
do not attempt to feed it or give it water. Baby birds have a
very specialized diet and offering them something they are not
supposed to have is not always a good choice. The very best
thing you can do for an injured or orphaned bird is to get it
out of harm's way and then call someone who can offer more
specific advice for the bird that you have and the situation it is
Avian '
Amanda A. Barber
Avian CIint Manager
Birds are the Farmers
of the World Help Us
to Help them Sow
- Their Seeds
TEL 501-620-q 6 1
Email firstname.lastname@example.com
I Bullet Tree Road San lnacio Belize
Midwest Steel & Agro Supplies Co. Ltd.
Box 581, Spanish Lookout, Belize
Tel: 823-0131 Fax: 823-0270
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Tropical Pasture Grass & Legume Seeds
Mineral Supplements for: Cattle (BEEF, DAIRY),
Sheep, Horses
Hybrid Corn and Sorghum Seed
Sorghum-Sudangrass Seed
Visit our online store at: www.rnidweststeel.bz
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 24 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Bridgitg Toijrism ancid Agrnc.ulift Through Organic Farming
The Belize Tourism Board. in partnership with the
Organizaton of American States (OAS) and Sol Farms. is
proud to announce the launch of the Garden to Table
Pilot Project for Hopkins Village in Southern Belize.
The initiative will help to establish organic vegetable
farms that can consistently provide high quality
produce to hotels and restaurants in the area. It's a
linkage between tourism and agriculture destined to
bring positive economic benefits to the local
communities and tourism companies while satisfying
the pallettes of tourists visiting Belize.
>(i|11 iI �I5' fthAEX
Copal, Continued from pg. 3
The indications for Copal Medicinal Oil are labelled on the
bottle as follows:
Rash/Itch/Xox (Kekchi word for Rash)
Insect Bites
Skin Infections/Fungus
Muscle Rub/Arthritis
The indications are derived from feedback from people who
have used the oil for those purposes and find the oil effective
in the treatment of that particular condition. In a later article
I would like to present some interesting case studies. With
the advent of antibiotic over-use, mis-use, over-prescription
and antibiotic resistance, I feel that there is a place for copal
medicinal oil in the treatment of skin infections (bacterial and
fungal) at an early stage.
In my personal observation, copal acts as an effective vulnerary,
i.e., an agent which heals wounds and sores. Furthermore,
copal has been described in herbals as "hot and dry in the third
degree" which possibly explains why it is effective in arthritis
and muscular aches often exacerbated by the cold weather.
Our research into the use of copal as an external medicinal
agent is on-going. No side effects or allergic reactions have
been reported. We would welcome your feedback. Copal
medicinal oils is available directly from us. Other outlets are
the pharmacies in PG, Brodies, Reimers Health Food Store and
Farmers Trading Centre in Spanish Lookout.
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Rubel)cr Boots
T thNotice to Readers of
the Printed Issues:
Please thank the Belize AS Report
advertiser, in whose business you found
your copy.
Their ads are what make thla all poamible.
Homes from $99,000 to $250,OOOUS I
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 25
Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
Belize's Agriculture Potential..., Continuedfrom pg. 1
Ag expansion on a commercial basis for export has great
possibilities. Agriculture-based economics with value added
products provide all kinds of jobs, including transportation,
equipment operators, maintenance people and all the jobs
that go along with value added products.
How do we expand agriculture?
First- it's land availability- yes
Second- it's know-how and experience- yes
Third- it's about profit potential- yes
Fourth- it's about being able to sell- yes, but needs more
Fifth- it's about lowering input costs such as interest rates,
taxes on fuel, new technology (GMO, irrigation,
etc.) - needs investigation and development
Sixth- it's about education and hands-on training- needs
Seventh- it's about learning from others' successes, such as
Brazil's - needs investigation and development
Eight- it's about a more positive influence by government
agencies such as Customs, BAHA, Lands,
Immigration, and crime fighting agencies, and
vehicles to implement needed fast track answers.
All of the above need to be addressed one at a time by
some organized agricultural movement. I suggest a mixed
delegation of government people, suppliers of ag products
and private farmers. We would need to go to Brazil, put on our
learning caps, and come back with our visionary eyes open
and an attitude of "Let's Just Do It."
Corn Swingers
In the last issue I talked about
the sex life of a corn plant being
A-MAISE-ing. Now I would
like to talk about the cast of
"swingers" in the corn business.
These are the buyers, locally and
foreign, as well as producers
and corn owners, who are all
playing "patsie" in an attempt to
enhance their market position.
In January 2010 - The Ag -
Report quoted corn sales at
18�/ lb. In Feb- March 2011 we
quoted 27�/lb. - a 33% increase
in a year. Now March 23rd 2011,
we are quoting known sales at 31� which is a 13% increase
in about a month. There will be some milo and corn harvest
in April that will add some to the supply; however, the main
harvest is 5 - 6 months away. We are told that there is
enough corn to last, but it is in strong hands. I would expect
these higher prices to cause more farm land to come into
production and this should benefit the local market and the
export market. I used the words "swingers" earlier because
it means irregular and unforeseen; this describes the corn
situation. However, I did see in the news that gasoline is
at 11.oo plus a gallon- which will keep us all economically
Prepared by John Carr
Center Road - Snanish Lookout - Tel. 823-0105
..we re g
26 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 20n1 BelizeAgReport.com
Letter to the Editor, Continued from pg. 5 1
the study, the laboratory methods used, and the
statistical tests applied. The Royal Society's own
internal review of the Pusztai data had led to the
damming verdict that the study "is flawed in many
aspects of design, execution, and analysis and that no
conclusion should be drawn from it".
The author states that "other ill effects include severe allergic
reactions to GMO based food are beginning to appear in the
American population." This has never been proved. There is no
evidence on allergies. No allergic effects have been found relative
to GM foods currently on the market. See what the WHO has to say
about it: http://www.who.int/foodsafetu/publications/
The author states that "crop yields might be increased, but so
might colon cancer. Is more cancer worth higher crop yields?"
There is no cancer correlation here. This is a totally fabricated
concern contradicted by vast experience and for which there is
absolutely no supporting data. Any link between transgenes and
cancer is purely fictional. Crop yields have been demonstrated
to increase. In the particular case of BT corn, in trials in Central
America, yields have increased by 35%, with the added benefit
that farmers do not have to use heavy doses of insecticides to try
and control the Army worm, our biggest pest in corn.
The author quotes the experience in India, suggesting that Indian
farmers have turned against GM seeds after a proliferation of
suicides, bankruptcies and poor crops. This is completely false.
How come the number of small farmers who use Bt cotton in
India has increased from 50,000 in 2002 to 5.6 million in 2009.
Yields have increased from 308 kg/ha in 2001/2002 to 536 kg/ha
in 2008/2009. And about suicides: An important paper (IFPRI,
2008) published by the International Food Policy Research
Institute, based in the USA, could not find evidence to support
the views of the critics. On the contrary, the paper concludes that:
"In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of
evidence on Bt cotton and farmer suicides, taking into account
information from published official and unofficial reports, peer-
reviewed journal articles, published studies, media news clips,
magazine articles, and radio broadcasts from India, Asia, and
international sources from 2002 to 2007. The review is used to
evaluate a set of hypotheses on whether or not there has been
a resurgence of farmer suicides, and the potential relationship
suicide may have with the use of Bt cotton.
We first show that there is no evidence in available data of a
"resurgence" offarmer suicides in India in the last five years".
Throughout the letter, the author is continually using the words
"could and might" and then drawing conclusions which have no
scientific basis. Contrary to the author's statement, the European
Union, after careful study, has opened its borders to GM foods.
Belize is proceeding cautiously with initial trials and careful
consideration under the Bio Safety Council. Perhaps if the author
is looking for a cause to "hang his hat on", he would do well to be
more concerned about the heavy insecticidal uses farmers have
to employ to control the many pests we have attacking our crops.
If not carefully applied, these can easily enter the food chain
and pollute the environment. The use of BT corn seed will be of
tremendous benefit to Belizean farmers. It will allow us to use far
fewer chemicals to grow the crop and will allow us to increase our
yields and remain competitive in this global market.
Frank Redmond.
PO Box 13, phone/fax 501824 3353
e-mail: email@example.com
Belize CA.
3ZfrabJrag -a
II belize limited
Offering a full line of Industrial and Medical
Gases: OXYGEN, NITROGEN, ACETYLENE,
NITROGEN BLANKETING, DRY ICE and
* Fire Safety Equipment &
Suppression Systems.
A MILLER Welding Equipment
p * UTP Specialty Welding Electrodes
SIndustrial Safety Supplies.
S222-5327 c222-41 89
E email@example.com E email@example.com
l www.fabrigas.com
Update on the Belize Agriculture Census (BAC) - 2011
Prepared by Phillip Tate; Edited by
Roberto Harrison
The Belize Agriculture Census - 2011
was launched on the 1st February, 2011.
The training of enumerators across the
country has taken place to ensure the
proper implementation of the census.
Enumeration was initiated in the Corozal district on the 22nd
February, 2011 to enable the coordinators to diagnose the issues
of implementation. The enumeration is now being implemented
in all districts. The main purpose of BAC is to provide reliable
and objective baseline data on the structure of the agricultural
sector of Belize and an inventory of agricultural resources
and to use the results of the BAC to establish an agricultural
statistics system to measure the development of this sector on a
regular and continuing basis.
As part of the public awareness campaign a "jingle" was
prepared to sensitize the farming community on the ongoing
agriculture census. Several talk shows were done as well. The
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperative is hoping for
the support of all farmers in Belize when the enumerators visit
their homes and/or farms to initiate the interviewing process.
The Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Rene Montero,
appreciates the support given to date by the farming community.
The BAC was possible through technical assistance provided by
the Food and Agriculture Organization, Statistical Institute of
Belize and financial resources from the Government of Belize.
27 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
Belize Ag Report's
SOLAR NEWS: We are informed that Belize
has an excellent opportunity to be the recipient of
a state-of-the-art solar system, for GOB buildings, as a gift
from Japan. After having this offered from Taiwan several
years ago and not meeting their recipient requirements,
Japan has offered and GOB has chosen the U.B. campus
in Belmopan as site for installation of this latest solar
technology. The only stumbling stone to receiving this
gift, as in the past, is that the donor country has the very
reasonable requirement that Belize put in place a system to
buy back power from customers. We note that Panama has
in place a system whereby they not only buy back power,
but at the same price as they sell for solar systems up to
10 kW. As we understand it, even buy back at a lesser rate
would qualify us for the gift from Japan.
CATTLE SWEEP PROGRESSES: BLPA and the
Ministry of Agriculture officials met with Minister Montero
on March 21st. The discussion centered on budget approval
of approximately $10,000,000 Bz$, with $6,000,000
Bz$ from the E.U. and $750,000 per year from BLPA. A
majority of the cattlemen agreed to pay $10 per head for
the TB, Brucellosis and registered ear tag. The sweep
budget is for 3 years; however we need to continue testing
and surveillance for 2 more years after that. BLPA awaits
the approval of the legislation by the Sol. Gen. and the
cabinet. It is hoped that the sweep can begin by June 1st
in Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. All sides seem to be
going pretty much in the same direction.
THE BELIZE POULTRY ASSOCIATION recently
bought and delivered an ELISA Multiscan reader for doing
laboratory analyses to the Laboratory department of BAHA
at Central Farm. Value of the readers is 19,ooo BZD.
Local and Regional
S Fuel Prices
Belmopan, Quintana Roo, Peten,
Belize Mexico Guatemala
REGULAR tS1.19 Bz/Gal I 7.96 pesos/Lt S Q 36.80 /Gal
$5.16 Bz/Gal $10.51 Bz/Gal
PREMIUM tS11.46 Bz/Gal * 9.66 pesos/Lt Q 37.30/Gal
$6.26 Bz/Gal i10.66 Bz/Gal
DIESEL t$10.65 Bz/Gal 8.32 pesos/Lt tQ 34.10/Gal
$5.39 Bz/Gal $9.74 Bz/Gal
SPrice in pesos decreased; equivalent price BZ $ remains unchanged
BIOCHAR: For those revved up about biochar
from the article in our last issue we have exciting
news! Sources indicate that locally produced
biochar, both a plain and a pre-mixed with other
nutrients will be available commercially in April
or May.
NATS: National Agriculture & Trade Show, Belmopan,
April 29-May 1, 2011
Cacao Fest, Punta Gorda, May 20-22, 2011. See ad page 9
3rd Annual Organic Fair, Punta Gorda, October 28-29,
2011. See ad page 7
Expoforestal Mexico Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Sept 22-25,
2011. www.expoforestal.gob.mx povalleaconafor.gob.mx
The Green Expo, Mexico City, Sept 27-29, 2011. www.
thegreenexpo.com.mx email@example.com
Problems in the Citrus World
Citrus Products of Belize and Citrus Growers Association
have been going through some trying times. There are 4
important aspects that have to happen to be successful.
1. They need to function effectively from fruit to
consumer; that means every facet must cooperate-
now a problem
2. They need to have sufficient fruit to keep 2 large
factories operating- now a problem
3. They need operating capital to produce- now a
4. They need a market to buy product- seems ok;
apparently one factory is closed and will remain so
until fruit and capital/operating problems are solved.
International Cocoa Organization
Monthly Average of Daily Prices
3, 5uu
300. \
3,200 / \ \ /
3 0 j
- - -- - - - - - - - -* - - - - - - - - - -
2:uu A / V
*USS pertonniE www.icco.org
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 28 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
% ATLANTIC BANK Local Credit Card
S gIC B
lowest interest rate
in the market
A StlmrVE
* Promotional offer of a 2% reduction in
Interest rate ends Dec. 31, 2010
"The United States is a water economy.
The quantity and quality of fresh water is in
danger here [U.S.A.] and around the globe."
JOHN CRONIN, author of The Riverkeepers
Mr. Cronin's premise is that the developed world is
not an oil dependent economy, but rather a water
dependent economy. There are many sources
and potential sources of energy, but there is no
substitution for water.
The Secret is in t. waste
Processing Plant-Blue Creek
Tel: (501) 323-0590
(501) 323-0592
Fax: (501) 323-0067
Belize City
6290 Park Street
Button Wood Bay
Tel: 223-5378
Corner of 5th St.
South & 7th Ave.
Tel: 422-2862
Orange Walk
3 Guyana Street
Tel: 322-3814
San Ignacio
Esperanza Village
Tel: 824-2025/
29 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com
Classified prices:
2-3 lines= $24; 4-5 lines=$32; 6-7
OLIVES? Is anyone growing olives here?
Would really like to try. Please call Jenny
533-8019 firstname.lastname@example.com
CABIN FOR RENT: Casitas Calinas - Weekly or monthly
cabin rental on the banks of beautiful Belize River. 666-1000 /
firstname.lastname@example.com / www.casitas-calinas.com
TEAK FENCE POST up to 6" diameter and 8 ft long - untreated
- with bark. Teak is a hardwood - water and rust resistant. $6 - w/o
bark $8 - call or text 669-0593 for more info
GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES, pure breed imported
German Champion working/protection bloodline, males & females,
obedience, protection and handler training available, Chaa Creek
Kennels 820-4010
OFFERING 'Jatropha Plantation' consultation and
establishment services. Turnkey operations offered in western
Belize. Tel: 501-621-3432 www.b-oilbelize.com
WANTED: RAMON TREES, seedlings, qty dependent
on price, 20 to 50? Beth at 663-6777 or 664-7272,
BELIZE BIRD RESCUE is dedicated to the care, rescue and
rehabilitation of all bird species in Belize, especially parrots.
822-1145/ 610-0400/ 602-4291 email@example.com
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS - Custom design, any size, all
imported materials. For churches, hotels, businesses or private
residence. Fmail: email@example.com for more info.
Wholesale and Retail
Gasoline ci Diesel
We Deliver
Tel 824-2199
gSatai Elira
S aiInIE'IdJnna.
663-6777 664-7272 662-5263
CREEKSIDE FARM FOR SALE: 380 acres,
REDUCED! Barton Creek, Cayo Dist. approx 700 ft
creek frontage, attractively priced at $380 k USD. House,
barns, bearing fruit trees, pastures w/water, lots of timber,
farming & tourism potential. Financing negotiable.
57 ac. San Antonio, Cayo District, Home of 2
apartments, walled garden w/ nearly completed pool,
landscaped, outbuildings, fruit trees, pastures crossfenced
with h20 in all, immaculately maintained and priced under
value at $330 k USD. Furnishings avail by negotiation.
Benque area of Cayo Dist. Own your own valley.
Home featured in several U.K. magazines. Outbuildings,
fruit trees, pastures, in pristine area suitable for residence
or tourism. $470 k USD.
REDUCED! 23 acres, Belize River, Esperanza,
Cayo, 99k USD. Make offer. High bank, rolling hills, huge
trees, in pasture. Great neighborhood
BELMOPAN $2500 USD/Ac. Priced for investment or
2+ac, 3+ac Hilltop Lots near Mile 57 W. Hwy,
established estate area, water/elec, incredible views.
343 ACS, Valley of Peace, Cayo, yr round creek, fenced,
supporting 200 hd cattle, $343k USD.
175 Acs, Calla Creek, 1300 ft. Mopan River, creek
too, mainly in pasture, all fenced.$175k USD.
PROPERTY: RENTAL, rural luxury, Cristo Rey Rd, 15
mins from San Ignacio, i bdrm, 2 full baths, deck, barbq,
great views, maid/yard service/security on working farm.
$650 usd/month for rentals 3 months/longer.
BEACH LOT, SAN PEDRO, Punta Azul Area. $85k USD
50'x50', in L Benson subdivision, on the blue Caribbean
76 ACS Belize River, Banana Bank area, over 3,000
ft river! In bush, waiting for your custom clearing ! Lge
trees.$342k USD.
99 Acres River Front Banana Bank Area, Large
Trees, pasture $199k USD. Make Offer or will trade for
U.S. Land or Belize beach front
30 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport~com
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BelizeAgReport.com 31 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize
April-May 2011
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April-May 2011 BelizeAgReport.com 32 Harvesting Ag News from All of Belize