Bridgetown, Barbados – January 22, 2026 — The 17th Extraordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) approved US$ 4.8 m to support the Government of Belize (GOBZ) with the implementation of 3 projects aimed at:
- reducing climate-related and other threats that limit the sustainable growth of the country’s honey industry and livestock sector.
- improving physical infrastructure and reducing the inequalities in disadvantaged communities that limit access to economic opportunities and lower quality of life.
Reducing Threats to Sustainable Growth of the Agriculture Sector
The US$ 1.64 m Integrated Agricultural Development Project is co-financed by a grant of US$1.1 m from the CDF and addresses the major constraints to increasing the productivity, export competitiveness, and sustainable growth of the honey industry and livestock sector:
- flooding and wildfires that destroy hives and reduce forage; lack of modern technologies to support sustainable beekeeping practices; and the absence of a modern Beekeeping Act.
The Project will train 100 honey producers (50% women and youth) in sustainable beekeeping; provide specialized equipment and materials to enable the adoption of sustainable practices; review and update the Beekeeping Act; and establish a digital Beekeeper Registry.
- overutilized and degraded pastures; droughts, excess rainfall, and wildfires that result in pasture loss; pests and diseases; and limited adoption of improved genetics and climate-smart systems
The Project will train 375 cattle producers in climate resiliency and sustainable cattle production; and will establish and resource an artificial insemination demonstration centre.
- an under-resourced Extension Service.
The Project will strengthen the capacity of Extension Services through technical training to 40 male and female Extension Officers, and provision of transportation, materials and modern technology.
The Project also provides training on gender equality and opportunities and approaches to inclusive industry/sector development to Extension Officers and representatives of the honey industry and livestock sector.
Social and Economic Infrastructure in Disadvantaged Communities
Rapid population expansion in both rural and urban areas and underinvestment in physical infrastructure is increasing inequalities and reducing social and economic cohesion within Belize. Bella Vista, a rural village, typifies this challenge having experienced a 78% increase in population – from 3,511 residents in 2011 to 6,259 residents in 2022.
The US$ 0.3 m project Establishment of a Sustainable Market Building for Bella Vista Village, Toledo District is co-financed by a US$0.2m CDF grant. The project facilitates:
- construction of a climate resilient market that reduces the time-to-market and postharvest losses for local farmers; and improves working conditions for 24 (majority female) vendors and the quality of products available to buyers; and directly benefits an estimated 10,000 residents from Bella Vista and its environs.
- registration and training of vendors in business management.
- the establishing of institutional arrangements to govern the operations of and maintain the market.
The implementation of the US$ 3.6m School Infrastructure Development Project is supported by a CDF loan of US$ 3.0 m and grant of US$ 0.45 m. The Project supports the upgrade of 3 schools serving approximately 800 students – St. Francis Xavier School, and San Antonio School of Corozal District; and Our Lady of Guadalupe School of Belmopan. The upgrades address inequality in access to quality education resulting from limited investment in capital infrastructure; very old infrastructure that limits school space that is safe and usable; and rapid population growth.
The Project finances:
- construction of 18 safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient, disaster-resilient classrooms across the 3 benefitting schools.
- equipping of each school with age-appropriate furniture, educational materials, and basic ICT tools.
- teacher training, including on skills required to create an inclusive learning environment.
- community engagement and the establishment of institutional arrangements to sustain the upgrades delivered by the Project.
CDF and the GOBZ are together developing additional projects, which together with the 3 above projects will comprise the CDF Cycle 3 (2024-2028) Country Assistance Programme for Belize.
About the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF)
The CDF is established under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to provide financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, sectors and within CARICOM; reduce disparities within and across Member States; and promote more balanced economic and social development.
Media Contact:
CARICOM Development Fund Communications Office
Email: info@caricomdevelopmentfund.org
Phone: +1 (246) 123-4567
