_{Photo: Signed agreement being presented at the GCF’s 38th board meeting in Kigali, Rwanda; sugarcane reaping}

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 7, 2024

Amidst all the anticipation and political excitement of March 6, farmers in the north are now celebrating the introduction of a major project, as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a BZ$50 million grant for the project titled “Building Capacity of Sugar Cane Farmers in Northern Belize (BaC-SuF).”

The announcement was made following the GCF’s 38th board meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, signaling the largest single investment dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of cane farmers in Belize to date.

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), representing the Government of Belize, will spearhead the initiative aimed at transforming the sugarcane sector by introducing advanced crop diversification and farming techniques.

“Following the drought of 2019, that was a very critical time for us to start thinking about how the climate impacts the cane productivity. That year we lost over 42 % of the production from one year to the next year, and that’s where we got together,” explained Cane Farmers Relations Manager for BSI/ASR, Olivia Carballo-Avilez.

“BSI proposed the concept to 5Cs and said look, ‘If we don’t do something here in the industry to ensure that our farmers are adapted to these climate shocks, then we stand to lose not only the amount of sales of sugar, but the socioeconomic importance that this provides to the whole of the north.”

These efforts are, therefore, designed to mitigate climate risks, enhance adaptive capacity among farmers, improve water and land management, and ensure a more reliable supply chain in the face of climate change.

“We are thrilled to receive approval for BaC-SuF project for Belize,” said Dr. Colin Young, the Executive Director of the CCCCC. “This initiative marks a notable advancement in our endeavors to fortify climate resilience within a pivotal sector that accounts for 14% of agricultural revenue in Belize, and will benefit over 15% of the country’s population; this project will significantly impact the lives and livelihoods of over 5,000 farmers and their families in northern Belize.”

Implementation will be a collaborative effort, with a group of six partners, including the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSI), Sugar Industry Research & Development Institute (SIRDI), Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA), Northern Sugar Cane Growers Association (NSCGA), and Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association (PSCPA).

These entities will also provide co-financing to the tune of USD 13.8 million.

The Ministry of Economic Development, as the National Designated Authority to the GCF, facilitated the agreement, with Hon. Christopher Coye, Minister of State for the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, acknowledging the project’s significance.

“We remain committed to championing other projects of this nature as part of our ongoing efforts to build climate and economic resiliency, including improving the sustainable livelihoods of the vulnerable population,” Minister Coye remarked during a virtual address.

The BaC-SuF project aligns with the CCCCC’s mission to mobilize climate finance for building resilience and improving livelihoods across the Caribbean.

With the full backing of the Green Climate Fund, the Government of Belize, and various stakeholders, the initiative is hoping to create sustainable change, ensuring the sugarcane farming community’s prosperity and resilience in the face of climate challenges.