In a recent public question-and-answer session dated October 16, 2026, current Belizean Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson has addressed growing public speculation surrounding whether his predecessor Jose Abelardo Mai continues to serve in an advisory capacity within the ministry.
Mai, who held the agriculture minister portfolio before Ferguson, ceased receiving a ministerial allowance after stepping down from his cabinet position, prompting local journalists to question whether his experience still shaped decision-making in the department. When reporter Paul Lopez directly asked Ferguson if Mai maintained any formal or informal advisory role within the ministry, Ferguson offered a clear response.
Ferguson emphasized that he holds full responsibility for the ministry’s operations, noting that the prime minister appointed him to lead the sector for his current term, and he is committed to exercising full control over the portfolio to deliver strong results. For Ferguson, agriculture is far more than a government post—it is a long-standing personal passion, and he views the sector as a key strategic driver that can raise Belize’s profile across the Caribbean region.
He also shared updates from his recent international engagement, noting that he returned just two weeks prior from the annual Caribbean Week of Agriculture. During that event, regional stakeholders signaled that CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) is counting on Belize to expand its agricultural exports to supply the regional bloc, once the country establishes a reliable shipping route and can offer competitive pricing for its goods.
When pressed again on whether Mai provides any guidance to the minister or the ministry, Ferguson clarified that while Mai may occasionally interact with junior ministry staff, he has not received any policy advice from his predecessor. According to Ferguson, he and Mai do not discuss strategic or operational decisions for the ministry, and all governance choices rest with his leadership team.
This report is a transcribed adaptation of an evening television newscast, with all non-standard speech rendered using a standardized spelling system for accessibility and clarity.