Corozal, May 2, 2024.
The Ministry of Investment, through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, joined the Corozal Think Tank for the implementation of a project titled, “Training of Students in Crop Cultivation and Processing at the Belize Adventist College in Calcutta Village, Corozal District.”
The project aims to diversify export-led economic activity in the district by enhancing skills and the entrepreneurial spirit among the school’s agriculture and agro-processing students. The inaugural event is the inception of the school’s five-year plan for crop cultivation and processing.
Under the project, the school constructed a nursery to produce pathogen-free vegetable seedlings, purchased drip irrigation equipment, and refurbished the school’s agro-processing unit. The first products grown and processed were cabbages, onions, watermelon, and chili peppers. Today, visitors sampled watermelon juices, dried peppers, and pepper sauces produced by the students. They were also able to see alfalfa and pak choy microgreens which are being grown in the nursery. Additionally, the school has started planting pineapples, oranges, and limes, as a part of its plan.
Present at the launch were Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative of Corozal South East; Mrs. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Chair of the Corozal Think Tank; and Pastor Marshall Tzib, President of the Belize North Adventist Mission. Also present was Mr. Lincoln Blake, Director of the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, representing the Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister and Investment.
The Chair of the Corozal Think Tank invites other high schools and junior colleges in the Corozal District to collaborate by submitting project concepts that would foster economic growth, skills development, and entrepreneurship in the district.
The Corozal Think Tank acts as the Steering Committee for the Regional Economic Development Masterplan for the Corozal District, which was realigned with the priorities of the Plan Belize Medium-Term Development Strategy. The group of professionals from the Corozal District are tasked with identifying and implementing projects and policy recommendations that will generate economic activity and prosperity for residents.
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For more information contact:
Investment, Policy & Compliance Unit
Ministry of Investment
BelizeInvestment@invest.gov.bz
880-4728/880-4729
