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HOME（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/）
ABOUT US（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/about-us/）
DEPARTMENTS/UNITS（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/departmentsunits/）
Agriculture（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/agriculture/）
Cooperatives（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/cooperative/）
CRESAP（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/climate-resilient-agriculture-project-cresap/）
PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT
Statutory Bodies（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/statutory-bodies/）
International Partners（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/international-partners/）
CDF PROJECTS
Belize Covered Structure and Capacity Enhancement Project（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/belize-covered-structure-and-capacity-enhancement-project/）
Belize Honey Production Re- Development Support Project（https://www.agriculture.gov.bz/belize-honey-production-re-development-support-project/）
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Belize Covered Structure and Capacity Enhancement Project
Funded by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)
Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise
Grant Agreement – Component 4 of Belize 2 nd Cycle Country Assistance Programme
GRANT No. BZE/G0009
COVERED STRUCTURES – SUPPORT TO SMALL DISADVANTAGED FARMERS
THE PROJECT
The provision of a CDF grant to the Government of Belize for the acquisition of materials and construction assistance for at least 30 greenhouse structures, as well as the provision of capacity enhancing vegetable production training to at least 50 farmers, targeting women and disadvantaged youth in rural or depressed communities.
OBJECTIVE
The key objective of this project is to raise the volume of vegetables on the local market that are produced under covered structures, by not less than 2.0 per cent of the 2017 level by end of 2022 and improve the consistency of production while increasing the incomes and the quality of life for beneficiaries under the project.
The specific objectives are to:
Increase the efficiency of vegetable production under covered structures by improving the construction design and irrigation systems of at least 30 structures by end of 2022.
Increase capacity building of extension personnel and farmers involved in the production of vegetables under covered structures by the hosting of at least 2 workshops for at least 10 extension personnel and 50 farmers.
EXECUTING AGENCY – The Ministry Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise
RATIONALE
Vegetable production is seasonal in Belize which with the adverse effects of climate change can be negatively affected by unseasonal drought or flood conditions. Additionally, pest problems characteristically manifest themselves during dry periods while wet periods propagate diseases especially in waterlogged soil conditions. Under these conditions, vegetable production becomes sub optimal resulting in supply shortages in the domestic market. Higher market prices for and imports of vegetable are often the consequence, thereby lowering nutrition of disadvantaged social groups and/or consuming foreign exchange through imports. It is therefore essential to overcome these constraints by securing and increasing vegetable production during these unseasonal periods. Greenhouses is covered structures cultivation which creates a controlled environment is the most workable means towards achieving the desired results. Covered Structures provide the advantage of crop protection from direct rain, sun, wind as well as pest and diseases. This type of production also enables farmers to achieve year-round production as opposed to seasonal production thereby addressing the inconsistency of supply. Sheltered cultivation through better management of diseases, water, and mineral supplies, ensures better yield than cultivating in the open field and generally improves quality and attractiveness of farm produce and improves prospects for even better prices.