On August 22nd, 2025 The Belize Livestock Producers’ Association (BLPA) with funding from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and in collaboration the University of Belize (UB) and Ministry of Agriculture Food Security & Enterprise (MAFSE) is undertaking a project entitled “Comprehensive Extension Strategy for the Training of Extension Officers and Cattle Farmers in Belize on sustainable/regenerative livestock”.
This extension strategy will be implemented in two phases. First, it is designed to strengthen the capacity of Extension Officers (EO) and technical personnel and then subsequently cattle farmers. Initially, it will focus on training in areas such as Silvopastoral Systems, the Voisin Method of Rotational Grazing, and various components of participatory Extension Methodology. Subsequently, a farmer-focused training program will equip cattle producers with the skills to adopt sustainable practices, increase productivity, and enhance climate resilience.
The official launching of the strategy started with a two (2) days training session on “Measuring and evaluating beef cattle production in silvopastoral system” which is being held at the University of Belize campus in Central Farm and facilitated by Mr. Daniel Juan from August 21 to 22, 2025. The training is providing the participating officers with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to conduct assessment of a cattle operation in the areas of soil productivity, genetics, reproductive and health performance indicators. Organizations represented at the training includes the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association (BLPA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), University of Belize (UB), Ministry of Agriculture Food Security & Enterprise (MAFSE), Friends for Conservation (FCD), Forestry Department, and Belize Maya Forest Trust (BMFT).
In line with the project execution plan, other training sessions are scheduled to roll out in September and October on topics such as traditional Extensive Livestock Production System, participatory Extension methodology, silvopastoral systems, Voisin method of rational grazing, teaching tools and regenerative Agriculture.
