Beekeeping wealth receives attention as annual ApiExpo Africa begins

Bee Farmers, processors, government officials as well as other stakeholders continue to extol the inherent economic benefits in the country apiculture industry if developed.

Many key honey producing countries in Africa are showcasing their technologies, products and services at the events, which has also attracted lots of local producers.

Ethiopia, Rwanda, Greece lead other countries at the event. Many Chinese companies are also on hand to market beekeeping technologies.

At the opening ceremony Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha reiterated that Nigeria’s hosting of this edition of ApiExpo Africa will naturally accelerate the development of the country’s Apiculture sector.

He added that “this national event which I understand is a veritable platform for the convergence of apicultural thought leaders, international experts, farmers and processors in Africa and beyond for the promotion of improved and modern practices and technologies for bee farming/processing is envisaged,” the SGF stated.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the theme of ApiExpo Africa 2018, “Beekeeping Industry for Wealth Creation, Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development” underscores the huge untapped potential inherent in the Beekeeping subsector.

“As you may know, in most developed countries and some developing climes, Beekeeping has created jobs for men, women and youths along the entire value chain from production, processing, packaging and marketing. Beekeeping is known to have generated income and improved the livelihood of small holder farmers in these parts of the world.”