Belize Explores Potato Variety to Supply Frito-Lay in Potential New Agriculture Venture

The Ministry of Agriculture is moving to import a new variety of potatoes that may allow Belizean farmers to supply American food company Frito-Lay. The venture comes after personnel from the ministry and fifteen Belizean potato farmers travelled to Petén, Guatemala to meet with farmers of that region. The trip focused on exploring whether a variety of white potatoes, cultivated by Peten farmers for the Frito-Lay company, can be grown in Belize. The delegation got a comprehensive view of the practices used in the potato variety’s planting, management, and harvesting. The group returned home today, and according to Minister of Agriculture, Jose Mai, the farmers are thrilled to participate in a trial to determine the variety’s adaptability and productivity in Belize.

The visit was facilitated by the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture in Peten, Guatemala.