BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) — The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in partnership with the Government of Belize and key industry stakeholders, recently launched the “Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize” (BAC-SuF) project.

This first-time initiative for the Government of Belize and the CCCCC aims to strengthen the resilience of Belize’s vital sugarcane industry in the face of climate change.

The launch event, held in the heart of Belize’s sugarcane belt, attracted a significant audience of farmers, industry representatives, government officials, and community members. Key speakers including the Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, emphasised the project’s significance for the economy and the Government of Belize’s dedication to climate action.

The BAC-SuF project, a five-year undertaking, has secured US$38.8 million in funding, including a US$25 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with counterpart resources totalling US$13.8 million.

This represents a significant investment in the future of the sugarcane industry, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of Belizean families.

During his feature address, Mai said, “This project is a pioneer for Belize’s agriculture. It signals to our farmers and to the world that Belize is serious about accessing climate finance that will impact our country’s most vital sector and most vulnerable communities.”

Mai shared that climate change continues to threaten the entire agricultural sector — which is the cornerstone of Belize’s economy. He further surmised that “the unprecedented drought period in 2019/2020 resulted in an alarming 20 per cent reduction in average rainfall, which cut sugarcane production by 20 per cent. Losses like this are devastating for the economy and even more so for the livelihood of these farmers”.

Dr Colin Young, executive director of the CCCCC, emphasised the significance of the project, which is the very first one focused on building resilience in the sugarcane industry.

“That itself, I think is a demonstration of Belizean leadership and innovation and it also demonstrates the CCCCC’s capacity to develop impactful and transformative projects,” he stated.

“Over the next five years, the project will seek to address the agronomic, technological and institutional barriers that exacerbate the impacts of climate change on the sugar industry.

The impacts of climate change are everywhere to be seen, and particularly on the lives and livelihoods of our farmers. So, this project aims to equip farmers with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to adapt and thrive in a changing and uncertain environment.”