Ministry of Agriculture Registers Hummingbird Agro-Producers Co-operative Society Limited

Belmopan, May 6, 2024.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, through the Department of Co-operatives, held a registration ceremony for the Hummingbird Agro-Producers Co-operative Society Limited, on May 3 in Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek.

This new co-operative is the result of collaborative efforts from a group of individual producers seeking to optimize their marketing efforts and enhance entrepreneurial capacities by organizing into a formal enterprise. This makes them obligatory to inspection and reporting requirements, gives them access to auditing and conflict resolution services, and provides them with entrepreneurial development programs, among other things.

The Hummingbird Agro-Producers Co-operative Society Limited, whose members have been working together since April 2022, is engaged in the production of pitahaya (dragon fruit) and passion fruit. It has 19 members: 10 females and nine males, including youths, who hail from various communities and villages, including Hope Creek, Mullins River, Gales Point Manatee, and Dangriga Town.

Mr. Leonel Requena, National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme, UNDP Belize, delivered the keynote address. Other remarks were also made by Mr. Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Co-operatives, and Mrs. Giget Villafranco, Chair of the Co-operative. Present were the members of the co-operative and other interested industry stakeholders.

Ends

For more information, contact:

Mr. Gareth Murillo

Registrar of Cooperatives

822-2131