Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) highlights • Agriculture in Belize is susceptible to weather variability A include the adoption of improved animal breeds, and vulnerable to climate hazards, such as hurricanes, improvement of pastures, and use of hay and silage for P floods, and droughts. Weather variability caused by livestock production, among others. climate change will likely increase over time, potentially resulting in rainfall decreases ranging from about 7% • Many farmers in Belize are already using CSA measures I in the northern zone to around 10% in the southern to some degree. However, more widespread adoption zone. The most detrimental effects on agriculture are $ of many CSA technologies has been hindered by a lack likely to come from increased variability in the seasonal of information and technical knowledge, as well as the distribution of rainfall, which is expected to lead to more scarcity of resources to pay for initial investment costs. In frequent droughts and floods. Additionally, projected addition, careful planning is needed to capture synergies rises in temperature of 1.3 °C by the 2030s will increase and address trade-offs among the three CSA pillars: stress on crops and livestock, impacting agricultural productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. systems, forcing changes in management practices, and threatening food production. • Mainstreaming CSA into national policies and programs A requires systematic identification of technically effective, • Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices have potential M financially profitable, and environmentally sustainable A to deliver “triple wins” in contributing to Belize’s agricultural P CSA practices, careful diagnosis of barriers to adoption, M development goals by sustainably increasing productivity, I evaluation of strategies for overcoming those barriers, P enhancing resilience, and reducing/removing greenhouse $ and ensuring the presence of institutional and financial gases (GHGs). Promising crop-based CSA practices for enablers. This Country Profile provides a snapshot of a Belize include the use of cover structures, installation of set of promising CSA practices, assesses their climate- drip irrigation systems, application of nutrients through smartness taking into account a range of potential irrigation water (fertigation), use of water-harvesting hazards, identifies organizations currently working to techniques, adjustment of planting dates to match promote CSA in Belize and policies under implementation, rainfall patterns, crop rotation, intercropping, planting of and discusses possible sources of financing needed to agroforestry systems, and adoption of drought- and heat- implement CSA at scale. tolerant varieties. For livestock, promising CSA practices A Adaptation M Mitigation P Productivity I Institutions $ Finance This document is part of a set of three complementary documents that focus on the prospects for climate smart agriculture (CSA) in Belize: Belize Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile [1], Belize Climate Smart Agriculture Prioritization Framework [2], and Financing Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture in Belize [3]. The three documents describe the opportunities and challenges associated with CSA in Belize, identify a set of “best bet” practices that based on preliminary analysis appear to have great promise, and discuss opportunities for mobilizing the resources that will be needed to finance CSA investments. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is agriculture that has been the ability of producers to adapt to climate change and build transformed and reoriented to support development and community resilience, and enhances food and nutrition ensure food security in the face of climate change. CSA security, while achieving mitigation co-benefits in line with aims to tackle three main objectives: sustainably increasing national development priorities. While the CSA concept is agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes, adapting and still evolving, many of the practices and technologies that building resilience to climate change, and reducing and/or make up CSA already exist worldwide and are being used removing greenhouse gas emissions[4]. The CSA approach successfully [5]. Mainstreaming CSA in Belize will require can help to identify and address synergies and trade-offs systematic identification of locally effective CSA practices, involved in pursuing the three objectives by addressing diagnosis of barriers to adoption of those practices, the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of evaluation of strategies to overcome the barriers, and sustainable development across agricultural landscapes. ensuring the presence of institutional and financial enablers. The approach helps to align the needs and priorities of different stakeholders to achieve more resilient, equitable, This CSA Country Profile describes the risks posed by and sustainable food systems. climate change to agriculture in Belize, discusses the potential of CSA to mitigate those risks, identifies factors In Belize, CSA is understood to be agriculture that that can influence adoption of CSA practices, and points to sustainably increases productivity and incomes, improves potential entry points for investing in CSA at scale. R National context The population of Belize is estimated at approximately Economic relevance of agriculture 387,800 inhabitants (2017 data), 55% of whom reside in rural areas [10]. According to the 2011 agriculture census, Agriculture is critical to Belize’s development. It is a major the most recent source of reliable information about the source of growth, employment, foreign exchange earnings, rural economy, 19,236 people identified themselves as and food and nutrition security. The agricultural sector is farmers [11]. Of these, about one-quarter (24%) owned important both economically and socially. During 2011– fewer than 5 acres; one-third (33%) owned between 5 and 2015, agriculture contributed 15% of GDP on average, 20 acres; and the remaining two-fifths (43%) owned more with exports of approximately US$ 232 million per year [6, than 20 acres [12]. 10]. The leading agricultural exports were sugar (23% of agricultural exports by value), orange concentrate (21%), Toledo District contains 25% of all farms in Belize, with a banana (20%), papayas (4%), and animal feed (3%). By high concentration of small farms (77% below 20 acres). contrast, agricultural imports were very modest, averaging Orange Walk District is next with 22% of all farms, followed only US$ 15 million per year during the same period. The by Corozal with 21% of all farms [12]. leading agricultural imports included wheat, corn (mainly corn flour), malt, potatoes and rice. In addition, live cattle Agricultural production systems in Belize are quite diverse. were imported as breeding stock, and specialty cuts of meat Approximately 92,000 acres are planted to sugarcane, were imported for the tourism market. [7,10]. 48,000 acres to citrus, and 48,500 acres to corn [13]. Additionally, 351,700 acres in pastures are grazed by The 2015 National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate approximately 135,400 head of cattle [14]. Change in the Agriculture Sector in Belize (NAS) highlights that Belize is self-sufficient in staples (rice, corn, beans, Crops considered staples (corn, beans, and vegetables) and livestock products), as well as in seasonally available are produced in all districts throughout the country using vegetables and fruits. As history has shown, however, the various practices, ranging from subsistence-oriented agriculture sector has often been significantly affected shifting cultivation (“milpa”) to fully mechanized commercial by climate-related natural disasters. During 2000-2016, operations. agricultural losses due to hurricanes and tropical storms totaled more than US$ 232 million [8]. In February 2018 Approximately 23,400 people (16% of the labor force) are alone, losses to the sector from excessive rain and flooding employed in agriculture. Of that total, 9.4% are women, amounted to US$ 1.9 million [9]. Looking ahead, therefore, working mainly in the agro-processing sector [15]. Male food production and food security should not be taken for labor is concentrated in the main traditional crops. granted. People, agriculture, and livelihoods in Economic relevance of agriculture in Belize [7, 10, 15, 16, 17] Belize [6, 7, 10, 16] 2 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile production practices. Climate change is likely to amplify the forces driving land degradation, in several ways. Sea level rise will lead to more extensive saltwater intrusions, resulting in salinization of low-lying lands that will reduce their ability to support agriculture. Meanwhile, changes in temperatures and precipitation patterns could promote the appearance of invasive species of plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that could similarly reduce the ability of some lands to support agriculture. As a result, pressure will increase to meet the growing demand for food by ever more intensively cultivating existing agricultural land and by expanding production into marginal lands that are ill-suited for sustaining agriculture. Land use in Belize [7] Land use Belize comprises an area of 5,676,011 acres. Approximately 1,977,000 acres (about 38% of the land area) are suitable Agricultural production systems for agriculture. Only 390,427 acres (7% of the total land area) are actively being used for agriculture. Of the total land Belize is divided into six administrative districts. For area, 1.4% is planted to permanent crops, 2.2% consists of agricultural purposes, four agro-climatic zones or areas are permanent meadows, and 3.3% is arable land [7]. distinguished: Belize’s land is classified into five grades, based on the 1) Northern Zone (Corozal and Orange Walk districts), 2) land’s potential for use and limitations. Grade 1 and Grade Central Coastal Zone (Belize District), 3) Central Inland Zone 2 land, together covering about 16% of the country’s land (Cayo District), 4) Southern Zone (Stann Creek and Toledo area, is suitable for mechanized agriculture and can be used districts) [19]. for cultivating most food and cash crops, including citrus, banana, and sugarcane. Grade 3 land, covering about 20% Agriculture in Belize is characterized by three main of the country’s land area, requires substantial investment to subsectors: (a) a well-organized export-oriented commercial generate acceptable returns and can be used for smallholder subsector specializing mainly in banana, citrus, and sugar; development. Grade 4 land, which also covers about 20% of (b) a highly diverse, subsistence-oriented smallholder the country’s land area, is marginal land that can be used subsector producing a wide range of food crops, especially for the production of forest and plantation crops. Grade vegetables, mainly for local consumption; and (c) a vertically- 5 land, covering about 44% of the country’s land area, is integrated large-scale commercial subsector (dominated by extremely marginal for agriculture and is mostly covered Mennonites) producing cereals and livestock products for by forest. Grade 4 and Grade 5 land is prone to erosion both local and export markets [20]. due to its uneven topography. Cultivation of these two grades is discouraged, because it increases runoff, reduces Agricultural policies in Belize have generally used market-led groundwater replenishment, and leads to degradation [18]. strategies in seeking to increase diversification and achieve self-sufficiency in food products. They have been successful With nearly two-thirds of the national land area classified as in expanding the food crops and livestock subsectors and Grade 4 or Grade 5, Belize is extremely vulnerable to land in promoting the development of non-traditional export degradation. In Belize as in other countries, land degradation crops. A notable success has been the development of the is caused mainly by anthropogenic drivers, especially the Habanero pepper industry; Habanero peppers are grown for expansion of the agricultural frontier through deforestation processing into hot sauces destined for both the domestic combined with the use of unsustainable crop and livestock and export markets [20]. Belize 3 Production systems of importance to food security in Belize (7) Agricultural input use in Belize (7, 16, 21) Food security and nutrition Despite being self-sufficient in basic grains, livestock, and many vegetables and fruits, Belize continues to suffer from high levels of poverty. The 2009 Country Poverty Assessment for Belize carried out by the World Bank shows that the share of the population living below the poverty line increased from 34% in 2002 to 41% in 2009, and the share of households living below the poverty line increased from 25% in 2002 to 31% in 2009. Rural poverty stands at 43%, with the ranks of the poor dominated by smallholder farmers and agricultural workers [22]. Despite the nation being considered self-sufficient in staples, food insecurity and malnutrition remain persistent threats, as reflected by an under-five mortality rate of 16.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Undernourishment is present among children in Belize: 6% of all children are underweight, and 3% suffer from wasting [6]. Health problems common to Belizeans above 30 years include obesity and related noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart diseases. Many of these problems have been exacerbated by dietary and epidemiological shifts resulting from changing food consumption patterns [23]. This can be attributed to high food costs, inflated in some cases by border taxes and other measures imposed on imported agricultural and food products. The increase in the average cost of living during 2007–2014 was 6.8%, while the increase in the cost of the food basket (which represents 21% of the total CPI) was 32.5%. High food prices substantially affect lower income consumers, who spend a larger portion of their income on food [24]. 4 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Food security, nutrition, and health Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Belize [7, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28] Compared to many other countries, in Belize the contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is quite modest. In 2014, agriculture accounted for only about 3% of the country’s total GHG emissions. Of that total, livestock were responsible for 56.2% and crops for 43.8%. The main sources of GHG emissions in the country are waste management/burning of garbage (responsible for 73% of emissions), land-use change (19%), and energy and industrial processes (5% and 0.6%, respectively) [29]. Belize has moderately low CO2 intensity (5,435 tons CO2eq/ million US$ of GDP). Its annual CO2 footprint is among the lowest in the world. About 0.54 million metric tons (MMt) of CO2 were released in 2011, ranking Belize 182nd among 216 countries. With per capita CO2 emissions of 1.67 MMt per year, its CO2 intensity (kg per unit GDP 2005 PPP $) is 0.18, which is lower than the average of 0.47 for its income group, the upper middle income countries. Regarding the trend, total CO2 emissions decreased by 45% during 2010–2011. Over the past five years, total CO2 emissions have decreased by 45%, and, over the last decade, total CO2 emissions have fallen by 38% [30]. CO2 emissions for the country in 2014 were 12.08 Mt, a tiny fraction of the Latin America and the Caribbean total of 3,936 MMt. In the Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Belize’s sectoral mitigation potential is estimated assuming an action-based approach that depends on the availability of cost-effective technology, strong implementation capacity, and adequate financial support [31]. Practices that would potentially reduce GHG emissions in the agricultural sector include capturing carbon (for example, by increasing tree cover in crop and livestock systems) and reducing soil disturbance (for example, by scaling up use of conservation tillage) [31]. Belize 5 Greenhouse gas emissions in Belize (32) Meanwhile, on the supply side, climate change poses an increasing threat that is likely to manifest itself in the coming years in the form of ever more extreme weather events. In recent years, a number of initiatives based on the CSA approach have been launched in Belize to address the challenges affecting the agricultural sector due to climate change. Policies have been enacted to promote sustainable agriculture and to encourage adoption of risk management strategies that can mitigate the effects of climate change, and practices have been introduced for the sustainable management of natural resources. Such practices include the use of cover structures, which significantly reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture by increasing fertilizer use efficiency and reducing pesticide use. Other practices that can help to mitigate GHG emissions include agro-forestry, conservation tillage, and alley cropping using Inga trees (Inga spp.). Many options are available to enhance the productivity, competitiveness, and viability of Belizean agriculture in the face of climate change [33]. It is essential that the government foster an enabling environment for CSA by strengthening all stages of the agricultural value chain: input supply, primary production, harvesting, transportation, storage, processing, packaging, and wholesale and retail distribution. Senior officials in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment and Sustainable Development and Immigration (MAFFESDI) have highlighted the need for adequate drainage and irrigation systems, a disaster recovery action plan, as well as the need for financing and commodity insurance for the sector. In addition, improvements in post- harvest management activities, especially storage, could help to overcome the constraints that limit the expansion of the agricultural sector and reduce expected returns on private sector agricultural investments. A comprehensive, multi-faceted approach is needed to make CSA successful in Belize. The National Agriculture and Food Policy of Belize 2015–2030 identifies five actions that can play a vital role in advancing the CSA agenda: (1) Adopting innovative approaches to develop efficient small-farm production systems. (2) Developing new approaches to financing agriculture. (3) Improving the incentive system to attract both local and foreign investment. Challenges for the agricultural sector (4) Simplifying regulations and bureaucratic procedures to reduce the costs of doing business. At the national level, Belizean agriculture faces multiple challenges. On the demand side, a number of preferential (5) Investing in support services and basic infrastructure export markets have been lost since 2000 (e.g., sugar, [34]. banana, papaya), and rapidly evolving consumer preferences require vastly increased attention to product mix, quality If the Government of Belize (GOB) is to realize its standards, and timeliness of delivery [33]. Many farmers commitments made under the Growth and Sustainable are struggling to keep up with these changes in demand, Development Strategy (GSDS) to reduce poverty while constrained by lack of knowledge, technology, productive increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the assets, and/or finance. agricultural sector, it will have to do several things [35]. 6 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile First, it will have to strengthen the capacity of agricultural increased at an average rate of 0.10°C per decade since research, development, and extension services to conduct 1960, and as a result today there are nearly 70 more hot relevant adaptive research and development activities and days or hot nights each year compared to 1960. Also since to provide sound technical assistance and technology 1960, mean annual rainfall has decreased at an average rate transfer to the agricultural community. Second, it will have of 3.1 mm per decade, although this trend is not statistically to strengthen information systems to allow for evidence- significant [37]. based decision-making on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Third, it will have to establish a national CSA The effects of climate change are projected to intensify coordination mechanism to support knowledge sharing, in future. Climate projections for Belize suggest that avoid overlapping work, and add value to ongoing work. temperatures could rise 1.3 °C by the 2030s, 1.8 °C by 2050, and 2.1 °C by 2070. Climate models also show that rainfall is likely to decrease throughout the country, with Agriculture and climate change decreases ranging from 7% in the northern zone to 10% in the southern zone [38, 39, 40]. Belize is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The country’s geographic location leaves it exposed to the risk of These changes in temperature and precipitation patterns rising sea levels and more frequent and more intense tropical will interact and produce effects that will severely impact storms, both of which lead to flooding that frequently results crop and livestock production. The Intergovernmental Panel in human and material losses, including substantial losses on Climate Change Coupled Model Intercomparison Project within the agricultural sector [36]. Smallholder farmers, Phase 5 multi-model ensemble projects that severe drought many of whom do not have any kind of insurance to protect likelihood will increase 0-67% by 2050 and 0-95% by 2100 against weather-related risks, are most vulnerable and stand compared to the historical baseline; the number of hot days to suffer the most. will increase 19-87 days by 2050 and 83-196 days by 2100 compared to the historical baseline; and the daily probability Climate change is already affecting agricultural production of heat wave will increase 13-41% by 2050 and 35-75% by and productivity in Belize. Mean annual temperatures have 2100 compared to the historical baseline [37]. Projected changes in temperature and precipitation in Belize by 2050 [38, 39, 40] Changes in annual mean temperature (°C) Changes in total precipitation (%) Average temperature (°C) Average precipitation (%) Belize 7 Potential economic impacts of climate Climate change impacts on yield, crop area, change and livestock numbers in Belize [41] The International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) developed by IFPRI [41] enables the assessment of future changes in yields, cropped area (or livestock numbers), and net trade under scenarios with and without climate change (CC and No-CC scenarios, respectively). The IMPACT model shows that over the period 2020 to 2050, the area planted to beans, corn, and vegetables is likely to be smaller under the CC scenario than under the No-CC scenario. In contrast, the area planted to sugarcane, tropical fruits, rice, and banana is likely to be larger under the CC scenario than under the No-CC scenario. The IMPACT model shows also that over the same period, while yields of most crops will continue to rise in absolute terms due to adoption of improved technology, the rate at which yields increase will be affected by climate change. For banana, beans, corn, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables, yields will continue to rise, but they are projected to be lower by 2.5 pp, 20.1 pp, 26.6 pp, 2.7 pp, 12.3 pp, and 8.5 pp, respectively, under the CC scenario as compared to the No- CC scenario. In contrast, yields of cacao and tropical fruits will decrease in absolute terms under both scenarios, with the decline being 7 pp and 6.8 pp greater under the CC scenario compared to the No-CC scenario). In the livestock sector, the impacts of climate change are projected to be modest. For example, the number of cattle is likely to increase by about 14% under both scenarios, with a very small positive net impact of only 0.26 pp between the No-CC and CC scenarios. The projected changes in production caused by climate change are expected to affect Belize’s trade balances. Climate change will likely cause imports of cattle, cacao, corn, and rice to go down, because for these commodities, productivity in Belize will increase compared to productivity in other countries and because local consumption patterns will evolve. On the other hand, imports of vegetables are likely to increase by 2 pp under the CC scenario compared to the No-CC scenario. The anticipated changes in temperature and precipitation caused by climate change are expected to have differential impacts on the production of several export commodities that are important for foreign exchange. Exports of banana, beans, and tropical fruits are all projected to increase under both CC and No-CC scenarios. For beans and tropical fruits, exports will be 40.3 pp and 7.7 pp higher under the CC scenario compared to the No-CC scenario, but, in the case of banana, exports will be slightly lower (0.2 pp under the CC scenario compared to the No-CC scenario). In view of the projected impacts of climate change on productivity, a vibrant research, development, and extension service is needed that can target commodities most at risk of being negatively affected, especially staple crops that are important for food security in the country. 8 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile The impact of climate change on net trade in Belize (2020–2050) [41] *A percentage point (pp) is the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages, in this case the change between CC and No-CC. CSA technologies and practices CSA practices such as those described above differ from the practices typically used for intensive mono-cropping, which Agricultural technologies and practices are considered CSA often involve extensive soil disturbance, wasteful use of if they enhance food security while addressing at least one water, application of large amounts of agro-chemicals, and of the three other objectives of CSA (sustainably increasing high consumption of energy. These so-called conventional agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes, adapting practices can lead to soil fertility declines, water scarcity, on- and building resilience to climate change, and reducing and off-site pollution, and increased GHG emissions—effects and/or removing greenhouse gas emissions). that are likely to worsen in future as farmers compensate for increasingly challenging climatic conditions by ramping up In collaboration with its regional and international input use. partners, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has confirmed its commitment to enhancing farmers’ resilience to CSA practices can be particularly important in slowing and climate change, and it has identified key entry points for reversing soil erosion and land degradation, because one future interventions. Priority areas include (i) sustainable of the most effective ways to increase the productivity and production, productivity, and competitiveness; (ii) market enhance to stability of crop and livestock production in the development, access, and penetration; (iii) national food face of increasingly variable climatic conditions is to adopt and nutrition security and enhanced rural livelihoods; and soil and water conservation measures to increase vegetative (iv) sustainable agriculture and risk management [42]. cover, enhance soil water retention capacity, improve soil structure and soil health, and increase soil fertility. To address these priority areas, government agencies and NGOs have implemented several CSA-related initiatives. The infographic on page 11 presents a selection of CSA Promising CSA practices that are being promoted include practices with high climate smartness scores according to construction of drainage and irrigation infrastructure, expert evaluations. The average climate smartness score is construction of cover structures, use of improved varieties calculated based on the individual scores of the practices, and certified planting material, fertigation, crop rotation, on eight climate smartness dimensions that relate to the intercropping, integrated soil and land management, and CSA pillars: yield (productivity); income, water, soil, and agroforestry. In the livestock sector, efforts are being made risks (adaptation); and energy and carbon and nitrogen to promote the uptake of improved breeds, improvement of (mitigation). A practice can have a negative/positive/zero pastures, establishment of forage banks, adoption of forage impact on a selected CSA indicator, with 10 (+/–) indicating conservation techniques, expansion of agro-forestry, and a 100% change (positive/negative) and 0 indicating no feeding with silage and hay. change (for details, see Annex 2). Initiatives to promote farm-level adoption of CSA practices The practices depicted in the infographic have been are being complemented by efforts to introduce early selected with the help of the CSA Prioritization Framework, warning systems that can alert producers about impending using a participatory, multi-phase process to capture the climatic irregularities, allowing them to take defensive experiences of a diverse set of national actors. The process measures to reduce the risk of losses from weather-related uses workshops, interviews, surveys, and focus group shocks. discussions to ensure that the practices identified through a Belize 9 comprehensive literature review are well aligned with reality down into a set of “best-bet” CSA portfolios deemed to be on the ground. Based on this comprehensive process and the most promising for Belize [35, 43]. multiple criteria, an initial long list of CSA practices is distilled Case study: Building resilient communities in Belize through climate-smart agricultural practices [44] Ya’axché Conservation Trust is a Belizean conservation organization founded in 1997, whose mission is to maintain a healthy environment with empowered communities by fostering sustainable livelihoods, protected area management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education within the Maya Golden Landscape (MGL) of southern Belize. Ya’axché’s geographic focus area, the MGL, is a 770,000-acre mosaic landscape of globally important protected areas, communities, private land, and state land covering a diverse range of ecosystems. Within this landscape, Ya’axché works with eight local communities made up of mostly Mopan and Q’eqchi Mayas and Hispanic members under its Community Outreach and Livelihoods (COL) program. This program focuses on empowering communities in conservation through environmental education; capacity building; training in leadership, governance, and micro- enterprises; and ongoing extension support to mentor farmers to implement sustainable agriculture. Ya’axché promotes the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, namely, cacao agroforestry, Inga alley cropping (growing of crops between rows of Inga trees), and beekeeping with agroforestry, to improve the economic and food security of disadvantaged farmers and improve wildlife connections between fragmented forests. Farmers are provided with materials, equipment, training, and technical support to shift to environmentally friendly farming techniques. A one-acre demonstration plot of Inga alley cropping is located within a 936-acre community agroforestry concession land within the MGL. This plot is used to restore the degraded soil and as a platform in promoting peer- to-peer learning among farmers. Farmers learn from each other about agro-ecology and alternatives to conserving soil in this innovative way. As of 2017, 31 farmers from the Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association (TFCGA) had converted 18% of the concession land into cacao-based agroforestry farms. Here, farmers are engaged in the development of integrated farming systems with agroforestry and Inga alley cropping. These smart agriculture practices involve planting in rows and also integrating a variety of commodities such as bees, 58,000 cacao trees, 3,000 plantain trees, fruit trees, vegetables, corn, and timber, which are harvested at different intervals, resulting in short-, medium-, and long-term income for concession farmers. Projections thus far are that in 2019 more than 10,000 pounds of cacao will come from this area. In addition, each farmer will increase his/her concession area by planting an additional 4 acres of cacao, thereby using 31% of the concession area. Ya’axché’s goal is to have the concession generate at least 75% of the income of participating farmers, which will benefit 175 individuals directly as well as the larger community indirectly. Ya’axché has been instrumental in establishing the community agroforestry concession and supporting the development of the TFCGA governing board and its by-laws by seeking investments and providing technical and material support. The relationship between the two organizations is strong, and all decisions relating to the agroforestry concession are made through consultations by relevant Ya’axché staff and TFCGA members, led by their board of directors. The success of this community agroforestry concession is important not only to Ya’axché and TFCGA but also to the entire country since this model could be replicated in other forest reserves to engage communities in the management of natural resources and improving livelihoods. Photo: Maximiliano Caal- Ya'axche 10 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Selected CSA practices and technologies for production systems of importance to food security in Belize Belize 11 Table 1. Detailed smartness assessment for top ongoing CSA practices by production system as implemented in Belize. Region and Predominant adoption farm scale CSA rate (%) S: small scale Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice <30 30-60 60> M: medium scale L: large scale Sugarcane (27% of total harvested area) Productivity Northern Medium- to long-term increases in yield. <30% Reduces production costs. Adaptation Soil and land Minimizes erosion and nutrient losses management through leaching. Conserves soil biota, (minimum structure, and in situ moisture. tillage) Mitigation Promotes soil carbon stocks and organic matter accumulation. Reduces GHG Western emissions attributed to minimum soil disturbance and the use of fossil fuels. Productivity Northern Potential increases in yield due to increased <30% soil fertility. Adaptation Water-efficient Increases efficient use of nutrients and management/ water, therefore increasing resilience to reuse of waste drought. Reduces eutrophication of water water (e.g., bodies by giving alternative management vinasse for to industry waste. irrigation) Mitigation Western Integrated with fertigation and properly managed reduces use of synthetic fertilizers, thus reducing related GHG emissions. Corn (21% of total harvested area) Northern (Orange Walk) and Productivity Western Increases yield as a result of enhanced soil (Cayo) health and fertility. Reduces use of external >60% inputs, hence reducing production costs and increasing farmers’ income. Adaptation Enhances soil health, water retention, and Crop rotation long-term fertility. Minimizes soil erosion. with beans Western Increases on-farm diversification. Reduces (Cayo) and pest incidence. Southern Mitigation (Toledo) Reduces use of nitrogen-based synthetic >60% fertilizer when leguminous crops are introduced, thus reducing related GHG emissions. 12 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Region and Predominant adoption farm scale CSA rate (%) S: small scale Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice <30 30-60 60> M: medium scale L: large scale Corn (21% of total harvested area) Northern (Orange Walk) and Productivity Western Increases production per unit area and (Cayo) income through greater product quality. 30-60% Adaptation Reduces soil erosion. Promotes efficient use of water and nutrient cycling, hence Plant density long-term fertility. Enhances resilience to management dry spells. Western Mitigation (Cayo) and Reduces GHG emissions per unit of output. Southern Maintains and/or improves soil carbon (Toledo) stocks and soil organic matter. Reduces use 30-60% of energy per unit of product. Citrus (16% of total harvested area)t Productivity Increases yield due to enhanced soil Southern drainage. Higher income through greater product quality. 30-60% Adaptation Promotes soil structure conservation and Improved water infiltration. Reduces soil erosion. drainage (e.g., Reduces the risk of crop losses caused by raised beds) temporary or permanent flood conditions. Mitigation Provides moderate reduction in GHG Western emissions per unit of food produced. >60% Maintains or improves soil carbon stocks and organic matter content. Productivity Enhances production per unit area. Southern Diversifies income and food sources. Allows <30% constant production throughout the year. Intercropping Adaptation (e.g., coconut, Reduces soil erosion. Increases water and pineapple, nutrient use efficiency per unit of output. soursop, Improves soil fertility. plantain) Mitigation Enhances above- and below-ground carbon sinks and organic matter content. Promotes Western energy use efficiency. Minimizes the use of <30% synthetic fertilizers. Yield Income Water Soil Risk/Information Energy Carbon Nutrient Belize 13 Predominant Region and farm scale adoption rate CSA S: small scale (%) Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice M: medium <30 30-60 60> scale L: large scale Bean (10% of total harvested area) Western (Cayo) & Southern (Toledo) Productivity Increases land and crop productivity per 30-60% unit of water. Increases food availability and income. Adaptation Adjusted Increases farmers’ capacity to limit crop planting date exposure to climate risks. Reduces soil to match runoff and erosion during the rainy season. Western rainfall pattern Mitigation (Cayo), Southern Maintains or improves soil carbon stocks (Stann Creek), and organic matter content. Reduces GHG & Northern emissions attributed to synthetic fertilizer volatilization. Reduces energy needs for 30-60% irrigation. Western (Cayo) & Productivity Southern Increases crop yield stability throughout the (Toledo) year and produce quality, hence improving household income. >60% Adaptation Because of crop diversitification, reduces Crop rotation the risk of total crop failure under climatic (e.g., corn, shocks. Reduces soil runoff and erosion and soybean) Western incidence of pests and diseases. (Cayo), Mitigation Southern Promotes indirect reductions in GHG (Stann Creek), emissions in the medium and long term & Northern per unit of output. Legume rotation can >60% reduce the use of synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer. Rice (4% of total harvested area) Northern (Orange Walk) Productivity 30-60% Increases yield and quality of produce. Allows constant production throughout the year. Adaptation Water Increases farmers’ capacity to limit crop harvesting exposure to climate risks. Ensures water (e.g., ponds) Western availability, therefore increasing resilience (Cayo) & to drought. Southern Mitigation (Toledo) Provides moderate reduction in GHG <30% emissions per unit of food produced due to reductions in energy use. 14 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Region and Predominant adoption farm scale CSA rate (%) S: small scale Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice <30 30-60 60> M: medium scale L: large scale Rice (4% of total harvested area) Northern (Orange Walk) Productivity >60% Increases productivity per unit area. Reduces irrigation costs. Adaptation Water-efficient Enhances nutrient and water use efficiency. irrigation Enables larger crop development even (alternate under limited water availability. Reduces wetting and Western runoff and erosion. drying) (Cayo) & Mitigation Southern The shorter flooding period reduces (Toledo) methane emissions. Reduces fuel consumption needed for water pumping. 30-60% Banana (3% of total harvested area)t Productivity Southern Increases yield and household profit due to soil fertility restoration. Biofertilization <30% Adaptation (ground Promotes soil and water conservation. cover with Reduces environmental pollution. Increases nitrogen-fixing Southern biodiversity in the soil as well as on the farm. leguminous (South Stann Mitigation plants) Creek and Reduces the need for nitrogen-based Northern fertilizer application when inoculants Toledo) are introduced. Reduces related GHG emissions. <30% Productivity Potential increases in crop yield and Southern quality, hence greater farmer profits. Allows continuous production throughout the year. >60% Water-efficient Adaptation management Increases farmers’ capacity to limit crop (drainage exposure to climate shocks (drought [canals] and or flooding). Reduces soil erosion and Southern incidence of pests and diseases. Increases irrigation (South Stann employment for women and youth. [drip]) Creek and Northern Mitigation Toledo) Reduces energy required for irrigation, hence reducing GHG emissions related to >60% bumping and water transportation. Yield Income Water Soil Risk/Information Energy Carbon Nutrient Belize 15 Predominant Region and farm scale adoption rate CSA S: small scale (%) Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice M: medium <30 30-60 60> scale L: large scale Vegetables (1% of total harvested area) Northern region and Productivity west region Increases yield per unit area. Allows constant production throughout the year. 30-60% Adaptation Reduces crop exposure to adverse climatic 30-60% 30-60% 30-60% conditions. Enhances efficient use of Cover water per unit of produce. Minimizes soil structures (e.g., erosion and enhances pest and disease bubble house) management. Mitigation The practice may contribute to reductions Northern in GHG emissions by reduced energy use and GHG emissions per unit of food 30-60% 30-60% produced due to greater nutrient use efficiency. Northern region and Productivity west region Increases productivity and income through greater product quantity and quality. 30-60% Adaptation Increases farmers’ capacity to limit crop Drip irrigation exposure to drought. Increases water and (fertigation) nutrient use efficiency per unit of output. Reduces soil erosion. Northern Mitigation Reduces use of synthetic fertilizers and 30-60% energy for pumping, thus reducing related GHG emissions. Cacao (0.4% of total harvested area) Southern Productivity Diversifies income sources. Increases >60% productivity per unit area. Allows for year- round production. Agroforestry Adaptation (e.g., Creates microclimate, hence promoting mahogany, resilience in the face of dry spells. Increases salmwood, Southern soil fertility (bio-chemical and physical) and plantain) (Stann Creek soil moisture. and Toledo) Mitigation >60% Increases above- and below-ground biomass and carbon stocks. Reduces requirement for synthetic fertilizers. 16 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Region and Predominant adoption farm scale CSA rate (%) S: small scale Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice <30 30-60 60> M: medium scale L: large scale Cacao (0.4% of total harvested area) Southern Productivity 30-60% Increases productivity by increasing flowering and fruiting. Greater income through greater product quality. Adaptation Management Reduces high humidity and fungus of cacao trees development. Promotes adequate plant (pruning) development and architecture. Reduces Southern competition for nutrients and soil erosion. (Stann Creek Mitigation and Toledo) Maintains or improves soil organic matter 30-60% content. Provides reduction in GHG emissions per unit of food produced. Coconut (0.3% of total harvested area)t Productivity Southern Increases total productivity per unit area. Allows constant production throughout the >60% year. Multiple crop harvesting increases income and food availability. Adaptation Intercropping Crop diversification reduces the risk of (e.g., total crop failure under unfavorable biotic soursop, lime, Western and climatic conditions. Contributes to soil pineapples) (Cayo) & fertility. Promotes nutritional diversity. Northern Mitigation (Orange Maintains or improves above- and below- Walk) ground carbon stocks. Promotes efficient <30% use of energy and related GHG emissions. Southern Productivity >60% Increases crop production and quality, hence increasing income. Adaptation Use of high- Reduces vulnerability to crop losses caused quality by pests and diseases. Enhances water certified use efficiency. Increases resilience to planting Western moisture stress and other adverse climatic material (Cayo) & conditions. Northern Mitigation (Orange Reduces use of synthetic pesticides and/ Walk) or fertilizers, thus reducing related GHG emissions and carbon footprint. 30-60% Yield Income Water Soil Risk/Information Energy Carbon Nutrient Belize 17 Predominant Region and farm scale adoption rate CSA S: small scale (%) Climate smartness Impact on CSA pillars practice M: medium <30 30-60 60> scale L: large scale Cattle (meat) (NA) Southern <30% Productivity <30% Ensures animal quality and health, thereby increasing household profits. Reduces production cost per unit area. 30-60% 30-60% 30-60% Adaptation Use of Increases resilience to extreme climate improved conditions, without compromising animal breeds (e.g., production or quality. Brangus) Mitigation Northern and Reduces fodder/forage required for Western attaining maximum yield, hence promoting <30% indirect reductions in GHG emissions per 30-60% unit of output. Productivity Increases animal yield and income through high-quality food. Reduces production Southern costs, hence potential increases in income. 30-60% Adaptation Provides alternative food source, Use of decreasing vulnerability to drought and improved feed scarcity. Reduces the volume of pastures (e.g., medications used. Reduces pressure on Mombasa) natural resources. Northern and Mitigation Western Reduces GHG emissions (carbon footprint) 30-60% due to higher stocking rates. High-quality feed reduces methane emissions from ruminants. Yield Income Water Soil Risk/Information Energy Carbon Nutrient Limitations It is important to recognize also that the results of any prioritization exercise reflect the judgments of those who The CSA practices described here as “best-bet” clearly hold participated in the prioritization process, and while in this promise, but the list should not be considered definitive, case the participants represented a wide range of views, a for several reasons. To begin with, factors of potential different set of participants would likely produce a slightly policy relevance were not taken into account during the different outcome. prioritization process. Very importantly, data were not available to allow systematic assessment of the extent Institutions and policies for CSA to which the CSA practices are likely to have gendered impacts. In Belize as in most countries, men and women What efforts are currently underway to promote the uptake perform different roles in agriculture, so CSA practices are of CSA practices? Many institutions are working on CSA- likely to have differential impacts on the two groups. For related initiatives in Belize. These include government, example, construction of an irrigation system is likely to United Nations agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and require additional labor contributions by men during the farmers’ organizations, among others. Their CSA-related construction phase (for digging canals and building water work involves farmer capacity building through training control structures) and additional labor contributions by activities and extension services, policy advocacy, and women during the maintenance phase (for removing weeds awareness raising. from water courses). 18 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Institutions Enabling institutions for CSA in Belize MAFFESDI is the main government ministry working on CSA topics. The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce (MEDPITC) is the National Authorizing Office (NAO) for all UN-funded projects, as well as the National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Therefore it is a crucial player that must play a leading role in attracting and directing international climate finance for CSA in Belize. UN agencies working on CSA-related activities include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme (GEF- SGP). Other UN agencies have been involved in broader agricultural climate change adaptation projects and programs. For example, UNDP supported the formulation of the National Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy (ENAMMC) and the National Climate Change M&E Framework. Other institutions involved in CSA in one way or another include local organizations such as Belize National Climate Change Office (BNCCO), Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST), Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), Citrus Research and Education Institute (CREI), and Ya’axché Conservation Trust (YCT). YCT, with funding from various stakeholders including GEF-SGP , has an ongoing project titled “Promoting CSA for CC resilience, food security and landscape connectivity in Maya Golden Landscape of Belize,” which focuses on productivity and adaptation. The figure “Enabling institutions for CSA in Belize” highlights the key institutions whose main activities relate to one, two, or three CSA pillars (productivity, adaptation, policies, for the pursuit of a low-carbon development path mitigation). Few institutions are addressing all three pillars for Belize. In addition, the NCCPSAP seeks to encourage of CSA. On the other hand, most institutions are addressing the development of the country’s Nationally Determined productivity and adaptation, while almost no institution is Contribution (NDC) and to communicate it to the UNFCCC tackling mitigation and adaptation exclusively. Opportunities [45]. In October 2015, Belize submitted a new climate action therefore exist for synergies among institutions working on plan to the UNFCCC, in advance of the new universal climate CSA-related activities, whereby joint effort can be made change agreement, known as the Paris Agreement, which to align initiatives/projects to maximize the use of their was ratified on 4 November 2016 [46]. The NDC focuses resources to cover a broader scope and have greater impact. on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, coastal and marine resources, and water resources as key areas Policies for adaptation. Some strategies mentioned for supporting adaptation in the agricultural sector involve technological Belize has introduced numerous policies relating to climate developments relevant to crop production, better soil change adaptation and/or mitigation. Belize ratified the management practices, diversification into drought-resistant UNFCCC in 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2003. To date, crops and livestock, and farm production adaptations that it has submitted three national communications to the include, but are not limited to, land use, land topography, UNFCCC (2002, 2011, and 2016). These communications and increasing use of low-water irrigation systems. The NDC, highlight the need for education, training, and public however, falls short of mentioning more specific practices awareness with reference to the causes, impacts, and in the agricultural sector to support agricultural adaptation consequences of climate change. and mitigation and more could be done to elaborate on the key practices along specific agricultural value chains to The National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action support practical financing and implementation of the NDC. Plan (NCCPSAP) 2015–2020 provides policy guidance A key issue is that the country’s NDC and the action plans to for the development of an appropriate administrative and address adaptation and mitigation will largely depend upon legislative framework, in harmony with other sectoral national circumstances, capacity, and support. Belize 19 In addition to the policy initiatives being undertaken as programs related to agriculture and climate change that part of Belize’s commitment to global climate action, other are considered key enablers for CSA adoption in the policies and strategies are more internally focused, such country. The figure distinguishes three main stages in as the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) produced with the policy process: (1) formulation (policy is in an initial help from the Caribbean Community Climate Change formulation stage/consultation process), (2) formalization Centre (CCCCC), which is designed to protect Belizean (mechanisms are being put in place to enact the policy), producers from the detrimental effects of climate change. and (3) implementation (activities under way, with visible The NAS recommendations include both short- and long- progress toward achieving larger policy goals). For more term measures to address critical gaps in technological information on the methodology, see Annex 3. developments relevant to crop production, sustainable soil management practices, diversification into drought-resistant Currently in Belize, no major policies are being formulated crops, and farm production adaptation measures such as relating to individual CSA pillars. Several policies have increasing the use of water-efficient irrigation systems. been formulated, however, whose objectives cut across the different pillars, such as the GSDS, NAS, and the Concrete actions to promote CSA in Belize are still limited, National Food and Agricultural Policy (NFAP). The major but policies in the agriculture, environment, and forestry barrier that seems to be affecting the implementation of sectors have created an enabling environment that should those legally formalized policies is the lack of financing prove favorable for future CSA-related initiatives. Intersectoral for the implementation of the laid-out policy actions, and dialogue will be needed, however, to ensure that synergies coordination among relevant ministries. Still, attractive can be realized and duplication avoided. In addition, opportunities exist for coordination among all relevant investments will have to be made in strengthening human stakeholders to assist in addressing and financing the and institutional capacity, to support programming and implementation of those policies. eventual ground-level implementation of CSA interventions. The figure “Enabling policy environment for CSA in Belize” shows a selection of policies, strategies, and Enabling policy environment for CSA in Belize 20 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile Financing CSA Financing opportunities for CSA in Belize What incentives exist for investing in CSA? How will the costs associated with scaling up CSA practices be financed? It is important to have answers to these questions, as they have major implications for the prospects of scaling up of CSA. Economic analysis carried out as part of the prioritization exercise revealed that the investments needed to adopt CSA practices vary widely, as do the expected returns to those investments. Some CSA practices are relatively inexpensive and can be expected to generate attractive returns, very quickly suggesting that farmers will have the means and the incentives to finance them. But other CSA practices are relatively expensive and may take time to generate returns, suggesting that policy reforms and/or public investments may be needed to encourage implementation. Belize’s Third National Communication (TNC) to the UNFCCC highlighted that Belize’s adaptation and mitigation goals are highly conditional on the availability of international technical and financial support. It further states that approximately US$ 13 million are required to diversify livestock, increase access to drought-resistant crops and livestock feed, adopt better soil management practices, and provide early warning/meteorological forecasts and related information to be competitive in the region [47]. Currently, several development partners are supporting climate action in the country. For example, a key source of climate finance for Belize is the Global Environment Facility (GEF), from which Belize has so far accessed an estimated amount of US$ 38.1 million for projects related to agriculture, forestry, and adaptation in coastal areas, focusing on climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity [48]. During 2015–2017, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) supported Belize through the Technical Cooperation Fund for CSA in the Agriculture and Rural Development and Environment and Natural Disasters Sectors, allocating US$ 3.23 million. These funds included the following: (i) Improving Livestock Sector Productivity and Climate Resilience in Belize; (ii) National Agricultural Statistics System (NASS) – Potential sources of finance for CSA Exchange of Experiences between Belize and Mexico; (iii) Strategic Planning to Strengthen Agricultural Trade and As pointed out earlier, the cost of investing in CSA practices Food Safety; (iv) Creating a Sustainable Sugarcane Industry varies from low to high. While some farmers will be able to in Northern Belize; (v) Capacity-Building for Climate finance selected CSA investments using their own resources, Vulnerability Reduction in Belize; and (vi) Preparation depending on the socioeconomic status of the farmer and Support for Climate Vulnerability Reduction Program [49]. the nature of the CSA practice, many CSA investments will Additionally, UN agencies, such as UNDP , FAO, and IFAD, remain beyond reach for many farmers. Supplementary have been providing funds for agricultural climate change sources of investment financing will therefore be needed to projects. One such project, funded by FAO and titled ensure that CSA practices are taken up. “Improved National and Local Capacities for Hurricane Related Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness and Response in Some farmers in Belize are able to access financing the Agricultural Sector in Belize,” focused on vulnerability from commercial banks, credit unions, or microfinance and capacity assessment, and training needs assessment institutions to support investments in agricultural activities and technical assistance to farmers in selected villages. that use CSA practices. This group is still very small, however, because commercial lending agencies consider agricultural Foreign direct investment in Belize’s agricultural sector investments to be extremely risky, especially in the absence has been growing. This is encouraging, but more effort is of agricultural insurance. The constraint posed by the lack needed to ensure that a larger share of foreign investment of agricultural insurance will only become more binding in goes to support CSA practices in smallholder value chains. the face of climate change. The National Agriculture Sector Belize 21 Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in Belize Risk management states: “Commodity insurance is considered critical to maintain levels of production under the predicted climate Increasing the availability of financing will be necessary change scenarios. The need for insurance services to to ensure widespread uptake of CSA practices in Belize, farmers and producers in the sector increases substantially but it will probably not be sufficient. Farmers will likely be as the impacts that are expected with climate change unwilling to take out loans to support investments in CSA become increasingly evident” [50]. unless they are able to manage the risks associated with these investments. A range of insurance products—at In certain commercial crops including sugar, citrus, banana, micro, meso, and macro level—could be considered to help and cocoa, private sector-led outgrower schemes have farmers protect against these risks [3]. However experience proved successful in supporting CSA investments. But such worldwide tells us that no single instrument can help a country schemes generally are feasible only where there is a large, to overcome shocks. Policy makers in Belize therefore need well-established commercial enterprise that is seeking to to be thinking about developing multi-dimensional risk source large quantities of product. financing strategies, identifying combinations of financing instruments (i.e., catastrophe funds, insurance, contingency Private agricultural finance remains generally scarce and funds, etc.) that provide an acceptable level of coverage at expensive in Belize, and even when it is available, uptake by the lowest possible cost. It will be important to accept this farmers is often limited. Therefore, more needs to be done “bottom line” recommendation as point of departure for to ensure that small-scale farmers can access affordable developing a national disaster risk management strategy. finance to invest in CSA practices. In the absence of sufficient amounts of private finance, the Outlook public sector has a role to play in facilitating access to finance to support investments in CSA practices. A few initiatives CSA has the potential to contribute to Belize’s agricultural are already under way. For example, the Agricultural Supply development goals by sustainably increasing productivity Chain Adaptation Facility (ASCAF) is a credit enhancement and production, building resilience to climate change, and technical assistance facility that aims to strengthen the and enhancing food and nutrition security, while achieving ability of small and medium-sized farmers and processors to mitigation co-benefits in line with national economic make climate-resilient investments. But these initiatives are development priorities. Given these potential benefits, more very limited, and more effort is needed. needs to be done to scale up CSA practices. Where might additional finance come from? The figure To counteract the country’s high vulnerability to climate “Financing opportunities for CSA in Belize” shows change and related hazards, the GOB has taken several existing and potential sources of CSA finance for Belize, steps to incorporate and institutionalize climate action distinguishing between private and public, domestic and in its development agenda, by ratifying climate-related international. Sources of private finance include commercial international agreements and developing national strategies finance institutions (banks, savings and loan associations, and plans for operationalizing commitments. Likewise, microfinance institutions), as well as agribusiness firms that many actors have already begun to improve resilience work with outgrower contracts. Domestic sources of public and productivity in the agricultural and natural resources finance are very limited and include Development Finance sectors, which will be key to addressing climatic challenges. Cooperation (DFC), BEST, Protected Areas Conservation Many smallholders have limited access to basic services and Trust (PACT) and the Belize Social Security Board (SSB). opportunities for development; however, poverty rates are International sources of public finance are more plentiful. still high among rural farming communities, especially in Sources that are currently being accessed by the country for the southern part of the country. In light of the country’s CSA purposes come from the group on the very top (GCF, economic growth, harmonization of sectoral policies is thus BioCF, FAO, IFAD). important to achieving inclusive, equitable, and sustainable social development. The GOB is already accessing various funds that support CSA-related activities, but additional financing is needed. Faced with the prospect of climate change, the GOB will Further work on assessing and showcasing the benefits need to mobilize additional financing so it can meet its and costs of various CSA interventions promoted by commitments under the GSDS while helping to increase different policies and strategies will be an important step productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. toward ensuring that CSA receives priority in the national This additional financing will be critical for unlocking Belize’s agricultural budget allocations. Adopting CSA practices considerable potential to serve as a driver of economic sometimes involves incremental costs compared to growth. conventional production practices, but in the cases of the “best-bet” CSA practices, the incremental costs are The public sector will be called upon to provide the public outweighed by incremental benefits in the form of lower goods and services (e.g., research, capacity strengthening, management costs, reduced use of inputs, and increased coordination, market coordination) that create the enabling productivity and income. 22 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile environment needed to encourage private investment in ongoing work. These measures can help CSA adaptation CSA. Specifically, the public sector will have a role to play and scale-out across the country. in several areas: (i) strengthening the capacity of research, development, and extension services to conduct relevant Increased engagement of the private sector in promoting adaptive research for development activities, and to provide CSA will be critical to ensure widespread adoption of CSA sound technical assistance and technology transfer to the practices, especially in situations where CSA practices and agricultural sector; (ii) strengthening information systems technologies are too capital intensive for farmers to afford to allow for evidence-based decision-making on climate the initial investment.This requires institutional dialogue, change adaptation and mitigation; and (iii) establishing joint planning of interventions, and availability of and access a national CSA coordination mechanism to support to accurate farm data to allow for analysis and further knowledge sharing, avoid overlapping, and add value to prioritization of interventions and pathways for scale-up. 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Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/66560 [49] IDB (Inter-American Development Bank). 2018. Projects at a glance. Available at: https://bit.ly/2tl5CJI [41] Robinson S; Mason-D’Croz D; Islam S; Sulser T; Gueneau A; Pitois G; Rosegrant MW. 2015. The International Model for Policy Analysis [50] CCCCC/NCCO/MNRA. 2014. A National Adaptation Strategy to of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT): Model description for Address Climate Change in the Agriculture Sector in Belize. Belmopan, version 3 (IFPRI Discussion Paper). Washington, D.C: International Food Belize. This publication is a product of the collaborative effort between the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – lead Center of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) – and the Belizean Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration to identify country-specific baselines on CSA in Belize. The document complements the CSA Profiles series developed between 2014 and 2017 by CIAT, CCAFS, the World Bank, and USAID for countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The document was prepared under the co-leadership of Andrew Jarvis (CIAT, CCAFS), Ana María Loboguerrero (CIAT-CCAFS), Miguel Lizarazo (CIAT-CCAFS), Sebastian Grey (CIAT), and Armando Martínez (CIAT). It is based on a methodology prepared by CIAT, the World Bank, and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in 2014 and revisited in 2015 by Andreea Nowak, Caitlin Corner-Dolloff, Miguel Lizarazo, Andy Jarvis, Evan Girvetz, Jennifer Twyman, Julian Ramírez, Carlos Navarro, Jaime Tarapues, Steve Prager, Carlos Eduardo González, Jamleck Osiemo (CIAT/CCAFS), and Charles Spillane, Colm Duffy, and Una Murray (National University Ireland Galway). Main author: Alfred F. Serano (independent consultant) Editors: Victoria Rengifo (CIAT) and Bill Hardy (independent editor) Project leaders for Latin America: Evan Girvetz (CIAT) and Miguel Lizarazo (CIAT) Original graphics: Fernanda Rubiano (independent consultant) Design and layout: CIAT and Fernanda Rubiano (independent consultant) This document should be cited as: CIAT; World Bank. 2018. Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize. CSA Country Profiles for Latin America and the Caribbean Series. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); World Bank, Washington, D.C. 24 p. Acknowledgments Special thanks to representatives of the following institutions for providing information for this study: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration (MAFFESDI), Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Running W Farm, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), the National Climate Change Office (NCCO), the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), Citrus Research and Education Institute (CREI), and Ya’axché Conservation Trust. This document has benefited from comments received from Dr. Victoriano Pascual (MAFFESDI) and Michael Morris and Julia Navarro (World Bank). 24 Climate-Smart Agriculture Country Profile