by Charles Gladden

BELMOPAN, Wed. June 4, 2025

The 53rd annual National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) 2025 officially kicked off on Friday, May 29, with its opening ceremonies in Belmopan.

The theme for this year’s show was, “Integrating Sustainable Food Systems: Mitigating Climate Change, Strengthening Agricultural Resilience”.

_{Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture}

“This theme could not be more relevant today. Let us begin with a simple truth: food sustains life; therefore, no farmer, no food; no food, no life. In this day and age, it is [vital] to pay keen attention to the way we produce, to the way we process, distribute, and consume food. Food production, while a way of life, can have future implications for our land, water, economy, air, and health, if not practiced sustainably. Therefore, it is no longer agriculture, it is sustainable agriculture,” said Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture.

_{Sayab Farmers Cooperative, the Cooperative of the Year winner}

“Most of us have heard the term ‘going green’ or ‘green production’. Whenever we speak of the first part of the National Agriculture and Trade Show theme, Integrating Sustainable Food Systems, we speak of one that delivers food and nutrition security for all, in such a way that economic, social, and environmental bases to generate food are not compromised for future generations,” he added.

The annual event draws thousands of visitors, along with various vendors from different corners of the country, who go to the show to display their products.

Some products highlighted at the NATS were Belize’s tortilla chips, chicken sausages, coconut oil and water, pasta products, dog food, and many more.

“Several of these products I’ve mentioned will be showcased at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds. That is what makes this trade show so important: it’s a platform for innovation, a platform for learning, a platform for education, and transformation,” Minister Mai expressed.

_{(l-r) Gregorio Esquivel, Senior Farmer of the Year; Noemi Requeña, Female Farmer of the Year; Juan Ricardo Carrillo, Junior Farmer of the Year}

During its opening ceremony, the Farmer of the Year winners (that was highlighted in a previous issue of Amandala) were honored – Gregorio Esquivel, Senior Farmer of the Year; Noemi Requeña, Female Farmer ofthe Year; Juan Ricardo Carrillo, Junior Farmer of the Year – for their outstanding contributions to agriculture, community development, and sustainable farming practices.

Also, the National School Garden Competition winner, San Victor RC School (Corozal District), and Belize High School of Agriculture (Orange Walk District) were highlighted. The Cooperative of the Year winner, Sayab Farmers Cooperative, from San Antonio, Cayo District, was announced as well.

The NATS concluded on Sunday, June 1.