On Monday we took you to Little Belize where three produce cooperatives complained about the importation of onions while theirs were rotting in the fields. They said that if the Ministry of Agriculture had properly communicated with them, they would have known when to stop importing so that the local producers can sell their products. Instead, they're having a slow start to their harvest season - having to sell their onions much cheaper than last year, while contending with the rising cost of fertilizers and pesticides.
Well, the Ministry heard their cries and today they, along with the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation, had a meeting with the onion producers from Corozal and Orange Walk.
According to a press release, the farmers were able to air their concerns as it related to local products, importation, contraband, and the quality of the local produce. They agreed to improve their provision of data to the ministry and to meet more often to strengthen communication. Most importantly, Belize Marketing and Development Corporation also agreed to alleviate market sales by purchasing the available onions for the next two weeks while the imported ones deplete.
