By Zoila Palma: Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson is calling for greater adoption of agricultural innovations to strengthen food security and improve access to nutritious food in Belize and around the world.
Speaking at the World Food Day observance at Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School, Ferguson highlighted this year’s theme, “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” emphasizing the importance of investing in sustainable food systems and ensuring that proven technologies reach the farmers and communities that need them.
“Hunger is not inevitable,” Ferguson said.
He noted that in 2025, approximately 645 million people faced hunger, while about one in three people worldwide could not afford a healthy diet.
“The challenge is not a shortage of innovation, but a shortage of adoption on the scale,” the Minister said.
He also noted that “Digital advisory services can give farmers access to weather forecasts, market prices and tailored guidance,” while “Soil moisture and nutrient sensors and precision irrigation can help farmers use resources and inputs more efficiently.”
Ferguson stressed that small-scale producers, particularly women and young people, continue to face barriers such as limited access to financing, technology, infrastructure, information and markets.
He said stronger collaboration among governments, scientific institutions, private businesses, producer organizations and communities is necessary to ensure agricultural innovations become affordable and practical solutions for local farmers.
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