Apiculturists in Imo have called on Nigerians to embrace honey bee production to enable the country meet her increasing local and export demands for honey.
The President of Bee Keepers Association in Imo, Mr Emmanuel Ubeh, made the call at a workshop on prospects of modern beekeeping technology, organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in Owerri, on Thursday.
Ubeh, a professional apiculturist, noted that low volume of production of honey was hampering exportation of the product as the country had yet to meet local demand.
Speaking on the theme: “Exploring the potentials of Honey Value Chain for Export”, Ubeh said that with an annual consumption of over 400,000 tonnes, Nigeria could save the over $3billion expended on importation of honey, with holistic investment in bee farming.
He also said that in addition to money making from the sale of honey, bee farming had the potential to create jobs for tailors who make beekeepers suits and carpenters who make hives.
According to him, some agricultural activities require pollination of plants by bees, hence the need for increased investment in bee farming.
” We can barely meet 10 per cent of local demand, let alone our export demands. A bee farm can be started with about N30,000, so we encourage Nigerians to venture into this enterprise “, he said.
Speaking, another beekeeper, Mr Kingsley Nwaogu, said that apiculturists were grappling with the challenge of bad roads affecting the mobility of bee colonies and resulting in breakages of the honey comb when they are transported from place to place.
He called on Government to ensure a sustainable honey bee supply chain by addressing production challenges and enlisting beekeeping in agricultural enterprises, for economic emancipation and biodiversity.
Earlier in a welcome address, Executive Director of the NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak said that the Council desired to increase the presence of made in Nigeria products in the international market through trade houses as hubs in various countries.
Yakusak, represented by NEPC’S Trade Promotion Advisor in Imo, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, said that with expanded production and supply base for agricultural and value-added exports, Nigeria can increase contributions of non oil exports to her Gross Domestic Product.
” As a Council, NEPC will continue to support bee farming technically to ensure that you produce quality honey. I wish to appreciate one of you who worn the MSME National Clinic Award.
” Let us all join hands to achieve this for the survival of our nation “, he said.