Belmopan. May 16, 2025.
On May 14, 2025, the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) Programme, under the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET) and funded by the Government of Belize (GOB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and recipient farmers successfully tested and troubleshot two modern irrigation systems powered by solar energy for Northern Sustainable Agro-Producers Co-operative Society Limited and Concepcion Vegetable Farmers Co-operative Society Limited. Both registered Co-operatives are from the Corozal District.
The solar irrigation systems, which consist of three solar pumps, 36 solar panels, 12 solar batteries, and two inverters, were provided and installed by Prosolar, a company from Belmopan. The Co-operatives also received two sheds to house and protect the equipment from the ravages of the environment.
The total cost of this investment amounts to approximately $311,333.60 and aligns with the overall goal of the RRB Programme: to build resiliency and provide economic opportunities to farmers in rural areas. The handing over of this equipment will support farmers in better preparing for the challenges of climate change, while also improving their access to water and enabling irrigation during the dry season. It will also help farmers reduce their electricity bill costs. They will have access to solar energy and will be able to use fertigation systems to apply fertilizers.
Members of the two Co-operatives were also provided with water tanks to harvest rainwater and all the necessary equipment to install a drip irrigation system that will be powered by pumps powered by energy from the sun.
The investment provided to the two Co-operatives will allow the membership to cultivate 10 acres of land with access to irrigation. The recipient farmers will use the system for the cultivation of onions, cabbages, carrots, and other vegetables.
On May 15, farmers were trained on the use and maintenance of equipment in Concepcion, Corozal. This training was facilitated by Prosolar, and copies of the operation manual were delivered to the members of the Co-operatives. The Area Representative, Hon. Ramiro Ramirez, attended the sessions.
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