Belize Showcases Farming Expertise at Japan’s TICAD 9 Conference

Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE) is representing the nation at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan. CEO Servulo Baeza and Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Victoriano Pascual are attending the 3-day event which wraps up tomorrow.  Belize’s delegation is participating in a key thematic session titled, “A Brighter Future for Small Scale Farmers – the Journey and Impact of the SHEP Approach in Africa and Beyond.” This session focuses on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, a program in which MAFSE and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) collaborate.  The SHEP approach is a market-oriented training program that helps farmers transition from viewing farming as a simple “grow and sell” activity to a viable business. It empowers farmers to make data-driven decisions by teaching them how to conduct market research, analyze costs, and calculate profits. This ensures they grow crops that meet specific market demands, leading to improved income and long-term sustainability.