On June 24, 2021, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, met with H.E. Kazuhiro Iryu, Ambassador of Japan to Belize, and Mrs. Michiyo Hashiguchi, JICA Representative in Belize, in Belmopan to discuss technical collaboration between both countries.
The key issue discussed was financial assistance for the establishment of cold storage facilities in the northern, western and central areas of Belize where onions and potatoes are produced. Another area of interest at the meeting was the improvement of livestock breeds and capacity building for technical officers at the Ministry of Agriculture. After the meeting concluded, the delegation travelled to Barton Creek in the Cayo District to visit cold storage facilities used by farmers to extend shelf life and availability of produce for the domestic market.
Minister Mai was accompanied by Mr. Servulo Baeza, CEO in the ministry, and senior technical officers.
