March 5, 2024 | CCCCC Press Release 004
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), on behalf of the Government of Belize, today received approval from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for a BZD 50 million grant for a project entitled “Building Capacity of Sugar Cane Farmers in Northern Belize (BaC-SuF).” The project was approved at the GCF 38th meeting of the Board in Kigali, Rwanda. The size of this investment is historic as it marks the single largest investment in directly enhancing the livelihoods of cane farmers in Belize.
The project aims to enhance crop diversity and farming methods to mitigate climate risks and enhance adaptive capacity among sugar cane farmers. It also seeks to bolster water and land management techniques for improved productivity and a more reliable supply chain. Additionally, it aims to cultivate transformative knowledge and systems that enhance resilience to both short-term and long-term climate impacts.
The project will be implemented via a consortium of six partners, namely, the Belize Sugar Industries Ltd (BSI) Sugar Industry Research Institute (SIRDI), Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCF), Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) and Northern Sugar Cane Growers Association (NSCGA), Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association (PSCPA), who will collectively provide co-financing of USD 13.8 million.
“We are thrilled to receive approval for BaC-SuF project for Belize” said Dr. Colin Young, the Executive Director of the CCCCC. “This initiative marks a notable advancement in our endeavors to fortify climate resilience within a pivotal sector that accounts for 14% of agricultural revenue in Belize, and will benefit over 15% of the country’s population; this project will significantly impact the lives and livelihoods of over 5000 farmers and their families in northern Belize.”
This project aligns with CCCCCC mission to assist its Member States with mobilizing Climate finance to build climate resilience and improve the lives and livelihoods of Caribbean people.
The CCCCC extends its gratitude to the four farmer associations, SIRDI and BSI for their steadfast support and positive collaboration over the last three years. We are especially grateful for the constant support from the Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture in ensuring that this project was successful. This project would not have been possible without the support, leadership, and commitment from all of the stakeholders. The CCCCC also wishes to acknowledge its staff, especially Mr. Ryan Zuniga, the lead project developer for this project, for their dedication and commitment that resulted in the approval of this project.
For more information about BaC-SuF project, please contact Mr. Ryan Zuniga at rzuniga@caribbeanclimate.bz.
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The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre is an inter-governmental Caribbean Community (CARICOM) institution that is mandated by the CARICOM Heads of Government to coordinate the Region’s response to climate change. We maintain the Caribbean’s most extensive repository of information and data on climate change specific to the region, which in part enables us to provide climate change-related policy advice and guidelines to CARICOM Member States. In this role, the Centre is recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other international agencies as the focal point for climate change issues in the Caribbean. The Centre is also one of the few institutions recognized as a Centre of Excellence by United Nations Institute for Training and Research. CCCCC is empowering the Caribbean Community to act on climate change.
