Association wants FG to explore opportunities in exporting honey

LAGOS – Mr Femi Adeyemi, the Secretary, Bee Farmers Association of Nigeria, on
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Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to explore opportunities in exportation of bee farming products.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said the nation could earn substantial foreign exchange from large-scale production of honey.
He added that “all over the world, there is increased awareness on the therapeutic and nutritious values of honey.
“The efficacy of honey in preventive and curative treatments has been projected by medical personnel.
“The sale of processed honey is fast becoming a lucrative business worldwide.’’
Adeyemi explained that bee farming involved the maintenance of honey bee colonies, usually in hives for collection of honey.
He stressed that Nigeria was blessed with favourable climate conditions for bee farming, adding that “we have advantage in the business of bee keeping more than other developed countries because of our climate.
“We have the capacity to sustain local production and assist in saving and earning huge foreign exchange in that business.’’
NAN recalled that in December 2014, bee keeping farmers and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council organised a stakeholders meeting to ensure the certification of Nigerian honey for European Union markets.
A communique issued at the end of that meeting stated that there was urgent need to start the certification process in order to boost export earnings.
The process involves upgrading the technical expertise and introducing modern bee-keeping practice to increase output.
Mr Adeyemi Ilori, a bee farmer, expressed optimism that the development would create more business opportunities for Nigerian honey producers.
He said Nigerian bee keepers needed to take advantage of the opportunity created by the decline in the production of European honey to improve on their honey.
Ilori, however, appealed to government at all levels to empower bee farmers to guarantee large scale honey production and processing.
Mr Simon Kalu, another bee farmer, however, condemned the activities of people who adulterate honey in order to make profit.
He lamented that such activity was eroding the credibility of Nigerian bee farmers. (NAN)