Research Consortium for Belizean Studies

Title

Agricultural Information Needs and Food Access in the Stann Creek District of Belize

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe agricultural information sources available to farmers and to describe food access and availability for the people of Dangriga, Stann Creek, Belize. This study used descriptive survey research methods with convenience sampling of the general public (n=22) and of farmers (n = 38) in the summer of 2017. Farmers use a variety of agricultural information sources with the extension service cited most often, followed by friends and fellow farmers. Weather, lack of information, pests, and inadequate access to capital were of primary concern for farmers. Face-to-face meetings were used most often by extension officers for disseminating agricultural information. Smallholder farmers and the general public have very similar levels of food access and availability. No significant difference was foundbetween the smallholder farmers and the general public on food insecurity with both groups reporting mild to severe food insecurity. Recommendations focused on practical operational strategies for the local Department of Agriculture, as well as the Belize Ministry of Agriculture to eradicate hungerand increase overall food access and availability throughout Belize.

Publisher

The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, 19(1), 31-37

Date of Publication

2018

Document Type

Article

Publisher Citation

Harris, S. E., & Graham, D. L. (2018). Agricultural Information Needs and Food Access in the Stann Creek District of Belize. Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, 19(1), 31-37. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/discoverymag/vol19/iss1/10

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