Abuja – The Federation of Bee Keepers Association of Nigeria has appealed to the Federal Government to introduce policies that will promote the export of hive products.
The National President of the association, Mr Bidemi Ojeleye, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We want the government policy backing, after we have taken standard into consideration, that EU must accommodate our own products.
“So, the bilateral relations between Nigeria and EU consumers should be tightened well enough to accommodate us.
“With this, farmers will be happy that we (they) have produced products that can be sold outside the shores of the country.’’
He said that such policies when instituted and implemented, would help streamline and tackle some challenges currently militating against bee keeping in the country.
Ojeleye lamented that bee hives products were not currently accepted in international markets especially the EU because they did not meet standards.
The president, who expressed regrets that bee keeping was not accorded the needed priority, said the business could generate forex for the country.
Ojeleye listed some of the challenges being faced by the organisation as bush burning and vandalism of bee hives by herdsmen.
The national president regretted that the association was not adequately supported by the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
“We are asking that some areas especially the support zones of the National Park, games reserve and forest reserves can be given to bee keepers.
“This can be done with rules and regulations especially on pouching of the wildlife.’’
He, however, appealed to the government to assist in the training of members of the association to encourage good management practices to increase and improve the quality of hives. (NAN)
banker of the day - FREE banker tips from experts