Today Tuesday December 20th 2022, the IPCU concluded Phase One of the Vanilla Cultivation Pilot Project.

The session focused on pest and diseases of vanilla plants, data collection, how cooperatives operate, and cash flow management and budgeting for vanilla plots. We would like to thank the Belize Cooperatives Department and Beltraide for facilitating these presentations.

The 30 female participants were each presented with an award for successfully completing the 6 week training sessions.

Phase two of the project will focus on value addition of vanilla into other vanilla-based products.

The Ministry will also seek to develop other agricultural products with high demand in the market.

We take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Thea Garcia Ramirez, President of Belize National Women’s Commission, Mr. Hugo González, Dean of Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College, Mr. Salucio Chiac, Course Instructor and the staff of the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit.