Using nanotech to make more kelulut honey

TUARAN: Stingless bee or lebah kelulut farmers are advised to adopt nanotechnology in order to increase production of kelulut honey.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said through the technology, kelulut honey production would increase by 20%.

“The technology and innovation culture will boost the people's income, and at the same time it will spur the country's economy,” he told reporters after launching a workshop under a Youth Agropreneurs Development Programme on the kelulut honey industry using technology in Tamparuli, here yesterday.

Madius hoped participants would disseminate the knowledge gained from the workshop to others, especially youths.

NanoMalaysia Bhd chief executive officer Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad said the workshop, which was jointly organised by Enactus Universiti Teknologi Nasional and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, aimed to teach local residents the theory and practical aspects of cultivating stingless bees using nano coating.

“The technology (nano coating) which was introduced by NanoMalaysia will increase the kelulut honey production by preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi,” he said, adding that the method would enable the stingless bees to produce more honey.