IICA Delegation in Belize

04/09/2026

We invite you to participate in the fourteenth Virtual Business Fair for Agri food Chains in Latin America and the Caribbean.

For companies of primary products, processed foods, and support services for production and commercialization.

Dates: October 05th to 09th Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fgjgdjh2mL?origin=lprLink

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

27/08/2026

IICA Belize and Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative Sign Agreement

On August 26, 2026, IICA Belize and the Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. signed an agreement to implement the “Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative Ltd Capacity and Value Chain Enhancement Project.”

The agreement was signed by Mr. Willie Chan, Acting IICA Representative in Belize, and Mr. Orlando Ek, President of the Cooperative.

The initiative was selected for financing through the Non-Reimbursable Capital Fund for Territorial Initiatives and will strengthen the Cooperative’s productive, organizational, and commercial capacities, while supporting family farming and improved food and nutrition security.

The initiative is part of regional efforts led by SE-CAC in collaboration with IICA and financed by the Spain-SICA Regional Cooperation Programme (PCRES).

IICA Belize is pleased to support initiatives that strengthen rural communities and promote sustainable agricultural development in Belize.

17/08/2026

Strengthening Belize’s Dairy Industry through Knowledge, Innovation and Practical Training

From August 11–15, 2026, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Delegation in Belize, in collaboration with Zamorano University in Honduras, facilitated a Theoretical and Practical Workshop to Improve the Capacities of Belizean Milk Producers for a More Sustainable and Resilient Dairy Industry, following a request for support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries. An official opening ceremony was held with remarks from Dr. Adela Acosta Marchetti, Head of the Agroindustry Department; MSc. Jeffery P. Cohen, President of Zamorano; MSc. Christian Fischer, IICA Representative in Honduras and MSc. Willie Chan, IICA Acting Representative in Belize.

The five day workshop brought together representatives from Belize’s Northern and Western dairy private sector, technical personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture Agroprocessing Unit, and IICA Belize, with the objective of strengthening technical capacities in areas that are critical to improving productivity, sustainability, quality and value addition. It combined classroom-based learning with practical experiences and technical visits, covering key areas including:

🐄 Efficient and sustainable milk production and Good Livestock Practices
🌱 Forage management and strategic use of concentrate feed
🥛 Milk quality, composition and food safety
🧪 Dairy microbiology, fermentation and processing
🧀 Production of cheese, yogurt and cream
🏭 Practical visits to dairy processing facilities
♻️ Sustainability and the use of whey and dairy by-products
✅ Quality control, GMP, cleaning and sanitation systems

The final day included a sensory evaluation of and identification of common product defects on cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. It also provided an opportunity for open discussion, presentation of certificates and remarks from Zamorano, IICA and trainees.
Participants gained practical exposure to dairy cattle management, feed mills, calf facilities, milking parlors, laboratory facilities and dairy processing operations.

This initiative responds to the need to build a more productive, competitive, sustainable and resilient dairy industry in Belize, while equipping producers and technical personnel with knowledge and practical tools that can contribute to improved production, product quality and diversification.

The workshop represents another important step toward strengthening technical capacities, promoting innovation and supporting the continued development of Belize’s dairy value chain.

IICA Belize remains committed to working with its national partners and regional institutions to support a more sustainable, resilient and competitive agricultural sector.

05/08/2026

Mr. Willie Chan appointed as IICA Belize Acting Representative

27/07/2026

📢 We're Hiring!

The IICA Belize Delegation is seeking an Agricultural Extension Officer for the COSAL Project in the Corozal District.

If you're passionate about supporting farmers and strengthening sustainable livelihoods, we'd love to hear from you!

📅 Application Deadline: 9 August 2026

📄 View the full Terms of Reference and application details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YZacZy7GH7zZc2OjXxNsbPVZrKOPsmuo/view?usp=sharing

30/06/2026

📢 Vacancy Announcement

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is seeking qualified professionals to fill three Program Manager positions within its Technical Cooperation Directorate.

Vacancy Announcements No. 03/2026, 04/2026, and 05/2026 are now available.

If you are passionate about advancing agriculture and rural development across the Americas, we encourage you to apply.

📄 View the vacancy announcements and application details here:
https://iica.int/en/oportunidades-de-empleo-en/

🗓️ Application deadline: July 13, 2026.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter, following the instructions provided in the respective vacancy announcement.

30/06/2026

Building Stronger Food Businesses Through Food Safety and Standards!

On June 8, IICA, in collaboration BAHA and the Belize Bureau of Standards, successfully hosted a one-day training workshop on Enhancing Food Security via the Enhancement of International Trade.

Participants strengthened their knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), food labelling requirements, packaging standards, Codex Alimentarius, and international market trends. The training provided valuable tools to help MSMEs improve food safety, meet national and international standards, and increase their competitiveness in local and export markets.

A sincere thank you to all the facilitators and participants for their active engagement and commitment to strengthening Belize's agri-food sector. Together, we are building safer food systems and creating new opportunities for trade and economic growth.

12/06/2026

Harnessing Technology & Innovation: Live Virtual Learning Tour of SHAADE Hydroponics

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM AST
Location: Live from SHAADE Hydroponics, Antigua & Barbuda
Youtube Live Stream: https://youtube.com/live/ShG0R4_EJE8?feature=share

11/06/2026

📢 Registration Now Open!

The 2nd Edition of the International Diploma Program on Bioinputs – BioConecta 2026 is now accepting registrations!

This specialized training program is designed to strengthen technical capacities in the development, production, evaluation, regulation, and application of bioinputs. To support greater participation from the Caribbean, the entire diploma program will be delivered in English, providing access to high-quality training without language barriers.

🌱 Program Highlights:
✅ Official certification issued by CATIE
✅ Self-paced virtual learning format
✅ 158 hours of academic training
✅ 20 hours of live sessions with international experts
✅ 9 specialized modules covering scientific, technological, regulatory, and practical aspects of bioinputs
✅ Experts and researchers from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe
✅ Registration fee: USD 50
✅ Duration: June 29 – November 13, 2026

This is an excellent opportunity for professionals, technicians, researchers, academics, extension officers, and institutions interested in sustainable agricultural technologies and innovation.

🔗 Register here:

If you would like to be part of the diploma program and receive detailed information about the registration process, please complete the following information and we will contact you as soon as possible:

29/05/2026

Strengthening Caribbean Agribusiness for International Trade

Today, agribusiness representatives from Belize participated in a Capacity Building Workshop on Export Marketing and Export Negotiation under the IICA-FAO Letter of Agreement (LoA) initiative, Enhancing Food Security via the Enhancement of International Trade.

This activity builds on the outcomes of the Virtual Business Forum held in October 2025 and forms part of a broader regional effort to strengthen the export readiness of Caribbean agri-preneurs. The initiative targets at least 15 agribusinesses across nine Caribbean countries, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago with the goal of increasing participation in regional and international markets.

Based on assessments conducted in each participating country and feedback received from the recent trade mission, tailored capacity-building workshops were developed to address key areas critical for export success. Today's training focused on export marketing and negotiation skills, including developing export value propositions, preparing buyer-ready digital packages, strengthening B2B engagement, understanding buyer expectations, and enhancing negotiation strategies for international trade.

Special thanks to BELTRAIDE for facilitating the sessions and sharing practical knowledge to help Belizean agribusinesses improve their competitiveness and readiness for future Virtual Trade Missions.

Together, we are building stronger agribusinesses, expanding market opportunities, and contributing to greater food security and economic growth across the Caribbean.