One of the main problems facing the banana industry in Belize is a decrease in productivity due primarily to declining soil fertility/health. Banana farms in Belize suffer from varying degrees of soil compaction and high soil acidity (low pH) levels, and nutrient depletion that leads to soil degradation. Pest and disease infestations are also prominent in the hot and humid environment of Belize. Bananas prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil, ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. PH can be modified in soils by doing several practices. Just as you can add compost to moderate the consistency of a clay or sandy soil, there are amendments that can make the soil more acidic or more alkaline to better suit banana production, but the amendments do not change the soil overnight.
In keeping with the Technical Capacity Building for “Upgrading farmers and technicians agronomic and diagnostic skills under the framework of good agronomic practices”, on June 18-19, 2018, a two-day workshop was done on pH management and was delivered by the International Specialist on Soils and Water Management, Dr. Chaney C.G. St. Martin from the IICA Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago. Twenty-three persons including, farm managers, technicians and extension officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, attended the training.
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