Agricultural authorities in Belize’s Stann Creek District are pioneering an initiative to position soursop and dragon fruit as the nation’s next major fruit crops. In a comprehensive two-day training program organized by the Stann Creek Agriculture Extension Service, twenty-five local farmers and agricultural students received expert instruction on advanced cultivation techniques for these increasingly popular fruits.
Under the leadership of Emilio Perez and in collaboration with the Cooperative Department, the program featured specialists Israel Pech and Lillian Suntecun from the Central Farm Agronomy Unit. Participants received hands-on training covering the complete growth cycle of both crops, including optimal planting methods, fertilization protocols, pest management strategies, pruning techniques, and harvesting procedures.
Mr. Perez emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “This training equips our farmers with practical skills to improve yields and manage crops sustainably, ultimately strengthening Belize’s agricultural resilience.”
The initiative builds upon existing cultural appreciation for soursop, traditionally used in juices and desserts, while capitalizing on the rapidly growing popularity of dragon fruit (known locally as pitahaya). This effort represents part of a broader national strategy that has included field demonstrations and international partnerships with organizations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has provided additional training resources and plant cuttings to local agricultural producers in recent years.