Two beekeeping producer organizations sign matching Grant fund agreements with Ministry of Economic Development (MED) through Resilient Rural Belize program

On Monday, December 23, 2024, the Green Creek Farmer’s Cooperative from San Jose, Toledo, and the Orange Walk Beekeepers Cooperative Society from Yo Creek, Orange Walk, signed Matching Grant Fund Agreements (MGA) with the Government of Belize (GOB) through the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) program. The RRB program is funded by the GOB, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and is being implemented by MED. The main objective of the MGAs is to provide resources and technical assistance to improve the volume and quantity of the two Producer Organizations’ (POs) agricultural production, organizational capacity, and marketing/value-added, while safeguarding food security in the context of existing and projected climate change effects. The Matching Grant Fund is the main instrument through which this assistance is provided.

The Green Creek Farmer’s Cooperative is a registered organized group founded in 1982, and is based in San Jose Village, Toledo District. The Green Creek Farmer’s Cooperative is comprised of fifty-nine individuals, consisting of members from three generations who were all born and raised in San Jose, and are all native Belizeans.

The main objective of this investment is honey production. The Co-operative intends to introduce beekeeping operations within the community forest conservation area through implementation of beekeeping best practices. Most of the Mayan villagers are farmers whose primary crops are cacao, corn, rice, and beans. Additional crops include spicy peppers and Pepitos, which are currently sold across the border in Guatemala. The total investment under the Matching Grant Agreement is BZE $60,725.50, with the MED/RRB Contribution being $51,602.95, and the Cooperative contributing $6,072.55 in cash and $3,050.00 in kind. In addition, the village of San Jose will be the recipient of a road enhancement project for 5 miles of community/farm road valued at BZE$5 million.

The Orange Walk Beekeepers Cooperative Society LTD was legally registered on May 13, 2022, and is based in Yo Creek Village. Currently, the Cooperative has 20 members carrying out good beekeeping practices in the rural communities of Orange Walk District, and six members who are pioneers of apiculture farming in Belize. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the cooperative members have knowledge and experience in beekeeping operations. Additionally, the Cooperative is planning to work with youth from technical/agricultural schools to introduce them to bookkeeping.

The Cooperative’s members come from several rural areas in the Orange Walk district. And as a result, their hives are located in eight rural communities including San Antonio, Carmelita, Palmar, Yo Creek, Trial Farm, Douglas, San Esteban, and San Lazaro villages. The main objective of this investment is to produce world-class honey of the highest consistent quality, reliability and convenience based. The total investment under this MGA is $239,754.90 with MED/RRB contributing $204,000.00, and the Cooperative contributing $23,975.49 in cash and 11,987.74 in kind.

Signing on behalf of GOB was Mr. Carlos Pol, acting CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development. Signing on behalf of the Green Creek Farmer’s Cooperative was its Chairman, Mr. Thomas Coh, and signing on behalf of the Orange Walk Beekeepers Cooperative Society was its Chairperson, Ms. Illana Ayuso.

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