The federal government has announced a new plan to unlock the opportunities inherent in apiculture, especially bee keeping for job creation and improved income for its citizens interested in various sectors of farming.
The government claimed that it has fully recognized the significance and contributions of bee keeping to the nation’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Malam Idi Mukhtar Maiha gave the hint at this year’s World Bee Day celebration and the 6th Nigerian Youth Beekeepers Summit with the theme: “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”;; organized by the ministry in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the honey bee industry would not be exempted from President Bola Tinubu’s deliberate decision to develop all sub-sectors of animal agriculture through the creation of the ministry.
Maiha said the ministry was committed to developing and implementing policies that promote the growth and development of the apiculture industry, explaining that the collective mission to promote apiculture development and youth participation highlights the vital roles that the bees and other pollinators play in ecosystem restoration, agri-food systems and environmental health.
“Bees and pollinators play a crucial role in ensuring food security, economic development, and environmental conservation. They pollinate over 75% of the world’s crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
“In Nigeria, apiculture portends an immense potential for job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth. This year’s campaign thus aims at consolidating past gains in the industry by further engaging and sensitizing the youth and other stakeholders,”;; he stressed.
The minister disclosed that the government’s drive and strategy would be to promote modern bee keeping through support in the establishment and development of more modern apiaries across the country and providing structural and technical assistance to existing beekeepers.
To improve the standards and quality of Nigeria honey bee products, he added that a Standard Operating Procedure has been drafted, awaiting review and validation, saying “this will form the crux of the much-anticipated code of practice for beekeeping in the country.”;;
He, however, lamented that despite their importance, bees face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and declining pollinator populations, insisting that these must be addressed through sustainable beekeeping practices, research, and policy support.
Interestingly, he reiterated the commitment of the ministry to promoting youth participation in apiculture through training, capacity building, technical and professional support, saying the present administration recognizes the potential of apiculture to create jobs, generate income, and improve livelihoods for women and young Nigerians.
Earlier, the National President, Youths for Apiculture Initiative, YFAI, Mr. Kingsley Nwaogu, said by observing the World Bee Day each year, stakeholders could raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today.
Nwaogu disclosed that they have been celebrating the day since 2018, with the efforts of the Government of Slovenia and the support of Apimondia, that led the UN General Assembly to declare 20 May as World Bee Day.
Lamenting that bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance nowadays, he however, noted that celebrating the day “provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.”;;
He said their decline jeopardizes food production, increases costs and worsens food insecurity, particularly for rural communities.
“Beekeeping represents a viable microeconomic enterprise which pays for itself in the first year, Apiculture is a sustainable tool for grassroots poverty alleviation and empowerment of women and youths,”;; he said.
According to him, Nigeria spent $3billion annually on honey importation, saying that the country is currently producing honey below its optimal consumption capacity at 40,000 tons out of 400,000 tons annually (less than 10 percent of the consumption) this trend indicates a large business opportunity.
“The total production in the industry has been unable to meet national demand. It is widely consumed globally due to its numerous nutritional and health benefits.
“Majority of our farmers growing different cash and food crops and citrus, require the services of beekeepers to provide their colonies during flowering period if we are to achieve maximum yields and high-quality farm produce, that is to say, sustainable agricultural productivity cannot be achieved without the bees, yet, many farmers consider honey bees as harmful micro-livestock, Nwaogu explained.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Youth for Apiculture Initiative, YFAI, Yusuf Adeyemo, urged the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to consider elevating apiculture to a full department and establishing an Apiculture Board, similar to Ethiopia and other African countries that have successfully harnessed the potential of apiculture for economic growth.
Adeyemo also requested full support for the sector, akin to livestock development, to unlock its vast potential.
The YFAI leader further sought the collaboration with the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC to develop mobile honey testing facilities, ensuring Nigeria honey meets international standards.
