Restoring Soil with Agroforestry Systems in Northern Belize

In northern Belize, where intensive sugarcane farming and cattle ranching have led to soil degradation and water pollution, Sustainable Harvest International (SHI)-Belize is working with 90 rural families to restore their land through agroforestry systems. The project intercrops timber trees with food crops without agrochemicals, improving soil fertility, increasing yields, and strengthening food security. With technical support, farmers are diversifying their production, reforesting their plots, and generating significant income: nearly US$1.1 million in the first year and close to US$3 million over the production cycle. The initiative demonstrates that it is possible to regenerate ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and improve the economic well-being of communities, with plans to expand to other regions of the country.