Tilapia Ponds Boost Agricultural Co-op’s Expansion Plans

The Cooperativa El Progreso de Siete Millas Co-operative is now preparing to diversify its agricultural output, after receiving three newly constructed tilapia ponds. The handover ceremony was part of the “Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Building Resilience – Investments in Co-operatives Project.”  This initiative is a collaborative effort, funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme Belize (UNDP) and executed by the Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) and the Department of Co-operatives in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise (MAFSE).  This cooperative has historically focused on cultivating potatoes, carrots, and various green vegetables, but wrote a project proposal for the ponds, which cost around $21,000. Registrar of Co-operatives Gareth Murillo said that the farmers from the cooperative assisted in the construction of the ponds as their counterpart contribution. 

Murillo said that the Cooperatives Department and MAFSE will be assisting the cooperative with capacity building and technical support. 

Each of the newly handed-over ponds is expected to yield between 400 and 500 pounds of fish every six months, providing a consistent and valuable new revenue stream for the co-operative.