Photo: Adrian Bartley, Senior Farmer of the Year 2023
by Kristen Ku
BELMOPAN, Wed. Apr. 12, 2023
The annual Belizean National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) is back in full swing and quickly approaching, under the theme, “Innovations in Technology: Driving a Climate Resilient and Competitive Agriculture and Food Sector.”
As is done every year, top farmers countrywide are once again being recognized as part of the annual Farmer of the Year Competition, during which three judges visited the different farms throughout the country and decided on the top three winners.
And on Tuesday of this week, the NATS committee, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, announced via a press release the winners for the Farmer of the Year 2023.
The winner of the Senior Farmer of the Year award was Adrian Bartley, 38, of the Belize District. Bartley’s farm, known as “Kingdom Orchard” and located in Rockstone Pond, was established during the pandemic when he was encouraged to plant to be able to provide for a feeding program in Belize City. His 14 acres are covered with land bear cabbages, sweet peppers, tomatoes, habaneros, and a ton of chickens. Bartley has faced numerous challenges in the cultivation of his farm, including constructing a well after a long drought; nevertheless, he said that he has been able to overcome each through prayer and dedication.
The Female Farmer of the Year award was given to Esmeralda Stanley, 48, of the Toledo District. Stanley’s farm, located in Trio Village and bearing the name “Emmanuel Farm”, was started from scratch by her and her two daughters on land that was initially a savannah. Her goal was originally to grow and sell soursop at a lower price than was on the market, but she fell in love with agriculture as a whole, which led her to plant plantain, tomatoes, habanero, cilantro, pakchoi, okras, bananas, and coconuts to sell. Stanley’s creativity in formulating her own organic pesticide demonstrates how dedicated she is to optimizing conditions on her 6-acre farm.
With a farm located in Cristo Rey village, Corozal District, this year’s Junior Farmer of the Year winner, Axel Perez, has worked tirelessly with a dream to complete his education. His farm has been a tool to not only support himself, but a way to learn to manage a business. On his 12 acres, he has planted carrots, cabbages, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and onions, sold to customers from the comfort of his home. He has even innovatively built a drip irrigation system powered by butane gas to sustain his produce. Perez hopes through his efforts, to one day major in agronomy or in business management.
The press release closed by stating the committee’s recognition of each farmer for their contribution to Belize’s economy.
“The committee congratulates all winners for their hard work and dedication in ensuring the sector remains vibrant and valuable to Belize’s resilience to climate change and economic shocks,” said the release.
The National Agriculture and Trade Show is scheduled to take place from April 28th to April 30th, 2023, in Belmopan, at the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds.