Resilient Rural Belize Project

Resilient Rural Belize

Overview

The Resilient Rural Belize Programme (RRB) is a comprehensive initiative under the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET) aimed at enhancing climate resilience and improving the livelihoods of rural communities across Belize. Funded through a partnership between the Government of Belize, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the RRB Programme focuses on increasing the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains. Its core objective is to reduce rural poverty and vulnerability to climate change by promoting sustainable land use, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient infrastructure. The programme supports the development of rural productive infrastructure such as farm access roads, irrigation systems, and drainage networks, while also facilitating capacity building and organizational strengthening for farmer groups and cooperatives. Additionally, it works to improve market access and linkages, enabling small-scale producers to engage more effectively with national and regional markets. By integrating environmental sustainability with economic transformation, the Resilient Rural Belize Programme plays a key role in advancing inclusive rural transformation and food security in Belize.

The Resilient Rural Belize Programme is a six-year, US 20 Million Dollar programme aimed at minimizing the impacts of climatic and economic events on rural small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The Programme became effective on November 30, 2018 with the signing of a USD 8 Million Loan Agreement between the Government of Belize (GOB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Farm Road Nago Bank

Weather Station installed for farmers in Nago Bank

Enhanced San Carlos Orange Walk

Weather Station installed Can Carlos Farmers

Achievements

Strengthened market access for farmers through an enhanced Agri-links platform.
Trained 150 farmers nationwide in gender equality and youth inclusion for agriculture.
Upgraded OIRSA’s biological lab to support pest control with environmentally safe methods.
Supplied and began installing advanced meteorological equipment countrywide to improve agri-climatic forecasting.
Began road enhancement works in Trio and San Carlos, directly improving access for pineapple, onion, and carrot farmers.
Expanded backyard gardening through a national initiative with the Belize Sugar Cane Producers Association, targeting 750+ women and youth.

Launched youth management training via IICA, targeting 30 rural youth for PO support roles.
Delivered irrigation systems to POs in Corozal and planning further deliveries in Trio.
Developed designs for large-scale irrigation and road works across multiple communities.
Contracted a mobile agri-weather app for real-time alerts; delivery due October 2025.
Trained 158 farmers in responsible pesticide use with PPEs and safe storage materials.
Completed procurement for a farm bridge in Trio and began acquiring honey processing equipment for four cooperatives.

Lessons

Effective collaboration with local organizations (e.g., BSCFA, IICA) accelerates community-based implementation.
Market access tools and digital platforms require ongoing user engagement and capacity building to be fully utilized.
Procurement timelines and infrastructure works are highly sensitive to seasonal factors and require advance planning.

Plans & Priorities

Complete major road and bridge infrastructure by mid-2025.
Trained 150 farmeaFinalize delivery and implementation of irrigation systems and honey processing equipment. rs nationwide in gender equality and youth inclusion for agriculture.
Upgraded OIRSaRoll out the mobile agri-weather app for national use. A’s biological lab to support pest control with environmentally safe methods.

Recommendations

Expedite procurement and infrastructure timelines through improved forecasting and streamlined procedures.
Expand digital literacy and access training for market and weather platforms.
Strengthen coordination between PMU, technical partners, and community organizations to maintain momentum and deliverables.
Monitor and adapt gender/youth inclusion strategies to ensure long-term engagement.