In a historic clean sweep that has cemented Cayo District’s reputation as a powerhouse of Belizean agriculture, three local producers have taken home every top prize in the 2026 National Farmer of the Year Competition, claiming all three available award categories. The official results of the prestigious annual contest were publicly announced by the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Organizing Committee this Thursday.
Taking home the coveted Male Farmer of the Year crown was Saulo Mesh, while Yoalma Pocasangre earned recognition as the 2026 Female Farmer of the Year. The third award, Junior Farmer of the Year, went to rising agricultural talent Jeshua Tzib. All three winners hail from Cayo District, marking the first time in recent competition history that a single district has claimed all top honors.
Hosted annually by the NATS Committee, which operates under Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, the Farmer of the Year Awards were created to honor producers across the country who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to their craft, implement innovative growing and business practices, and make tangible contributions to the strength and growth of Belize’s national agricultural sector.
The award announcement comes exactly three weeks ahead of the opening of the 2026 National Agriculture and Trade Show, one of the largest annual gatherings for Belize’s agricultural community. This year’s event will run from April 30 through May 3 at the permanent NATS Grounds in the capital city of Belmopan, held under the forward-looking theme “Advancing Smart Agriculture: Building a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Belizean Food System.” Industry leaders and attendees expect the show to draw hundreds of producers, agricultural vendors, and community members from across the country to discuss the future of food production in Belize amid shifting climate conditions.