My friend Leonardo tells me that there are over 9000 farmers in Belize that farm small parcels of land growing a single crop, sugar cane. For the most part, these farmers have been using the same growing techniques for countless years and are slow to embrace newer technologies that we, here in the upper West, consider commonplace. Adaptation is slow because the farmers feel isolated and often times do not have the necessary capital for improving their condition. This, of course, is a double-edged sword. I do not know whether the country of Belize has an agricultural support center for its farmers so that they can learn new practices and improve the yield for their sugar cane crop. This is where Leonardo and his group of agriculturalists have stepped in to fill the void that is not being satisfied by Belize – a very poor country with only 320,000 inhabitants.

This group, NAMTES (Northern Agricultural Mechanical and Technical Engineering Services), is based in northern Belize which is the major growing area for sugar cane. From its base in the Estrella Village in the Corozal District, NAMTES is working with the farmers and is primarily focusing on land preparation and secondary cultivation to include fertilizing, herbiciding and advice on pest control. For example, this year’s crop suffered a 30% decrease in production as a result of an insect infestation which could have been easily controlled if the farmers had the capital for the necessary pesticide application.

Other programs yet to be launched are cane loading and transporting for those farmers who don’t have the ability due to lack of transportation and, hence, lose part or all of their cane production. Additionally, added infrastructure such as drainage, road and field design, mechanization, etc. will prove extremely beneficial for the whole Belizean economy.

All it takes is the focus of one visionary and others who share that vision for actualization to take place.