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Contact UsSustainable Agriculture
Agriculture is still a strong economic factor
in Belize and destructive conventional methods are prevalent. To
change these trends sustainable agricultural practices are
demonstrated and promoted throughout the garden. Avoidance of
monnocropping, sustainable crops raised under natural canopy, the
use of organic fertilizers and organic pest controls and other
agricultural methods profitable to farmers but not costly to the
environment are implemented at BBG for farmers to examine.
Workshops will provide information on growing and potential profit
of each and information and assistance made available to interested
farmers.
We plan to include more specific information about each of these programs in the future. If you are interested in these programs now please contact us.
Xate
Our main agriculture focus these days is xate. It's all the buzz in Belize. Find out more here
Hardwood agroforestry project
Agroforestry means using trees in an agricultural setting. This practice can benefit both farmers and the environment. Use of timber trees in agroforestry lessens the degrading effects of timber extraction from natural forests and can be managed as a good economic crop. Neem, known for its natural pesticide properties, surrounds the hard-woods illustrating its use as a natural insect control. Agroforesters can save money using tree litter to fertilize and improve soil conditions and/or use leaves and fruit as fodder for livestock. The environment benefits from the trees holding soil and protection from wind to prevent erosion; quick growing legume crops are integrated to provide interim income and enrich the soil.
Alternative economic fruits
Diversity in nature and agriculture promotes a healthier planet and economy. Belize Botanic Gardens encourages agricultural diversity with experimental orchards of mangosteen, lychee, rambutan and longan. The lychee trees produced a saleable crop in 2001 and received a positive response from local market tests, in 2002 propagation material will be available to interested farmers. At BBG we believe these exportable tropical fruits will prove to surpass the currently favored citrus and banana in income potential.
Bay leaf palm
A demonstration plot of 1500 bay leaf palms is in the garden for observation by farmers and research by BBG. Used for thatch roofing the bay leaf (Sabal maritiiformis) is popular among Belizean Maya and Mestizo, the increasing refugee population and tourism facilities. As the leaf becomes scarce due to habitat loss and over collection; leaf seekers become less careful about healthy gathering practices. To ensure the health of bay leaf tree populations farming the palm for thatch use is a safer alternative to wild collection. The bay leaf is an ideal sustainable agriculture crop for most areas of Belize, it is native, because it is in its natural environment the bay leaf needs little to no irrigation or pest control and a market for the leaf already exists making it a sound cash crop. So far the bay leaf plot at BBG is doing remarkably well. Information and seeds will be available to potential farmers in the near future.
