More Than 60 Coconut Farmers Trained to Combat Pests and Diseases

More than sixty coconut farmers in Stann Creek and Toledo have completed training in detecting and controlling pests and diseases, as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries works to strengthen Belize’s coconut sector.  The workshops form part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s “One Country One Priority Product” initiative, which supports the sustainable development of the industry.  Women and young farmers were among the participants. Each district received two days of training, with Stann Creek’s sessions held on September twenty-ninth and October second, and Toledo’s on September 30 and October 1.  The FAO’s national coconut pest and disease specialist led the sessions, supported by the ministry’s Fruit Tree Programme, Research Unit and District Extension Units.  Classroom lessons were paired with field exercises, giving farmers practical experience identifying threats and learning how to manage them in their coconut groves. According to the ministry, participants welcomed that hands-on approach.  Farmers also learned to build specialised traps and monitor their own acreage. They will report field observations and weekly trapping results to agriculture officials, helping track pest populations and identify emerging problems.  The ministry says more workshops are being scheduled for the remaining districts.