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least exported product.

The honey can be exported to South Africa and other countries under A*OA agreement.

Dr Thembi Ndlangamandla, +hohho Regional Veterinary Officer in an in terview yesterday said beekeeping re sults in the increase of forage supply.

Market

The local market for honey was said to be also available even in the country, currently there are two ma jor honey processors that are ready to absorb and process honey from beekeepers such as Eswatini .itchen and %ulembu.

She said the ministry advised farm ers to locate apiaries about 00m away from human houses and other livestock.

“Also the location should be far

from public activity areas such as roads, schools and avoid disturbing apiaries freTuently and inspect their hives at most once a month,´ she added.

Ndlangamandla said the more the pollination the more the plants, hence the increase in forage.

She further advised beekeepers to always be in full protective gear (Coveralls, head gear, gloves and

gumboots) when going to an apiary.

“Avoid starting fires around apiar ies,´ she added.

The doctor said fires led to bees ab sconding and entering into a fighting mode. %eehives must be moved when it is Tuiet, still and cold such as during the night or at dawn.

Extension

Ndlangamandla revealed that the 0inistry was working hand in hand with other institutions in training of beekeepers and extension officers.

“%ees were a fundamental part of the ecosystem and critical for food production and human livelihood,´ she said.

The doctor added that bees are pollinators fruits that are produced through such active pollination are of good Tuality.

They also revealed that bee keeping is viable in the country, it is supported

by the good weather condition and the good vegetation that Eswatini has.

%usiness Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nathi Dlamini said there was a need to configure the ed ucation system of the country.

This was during the bipartite dia logue between %usiness Eswatini and Trade union Congress of Swa]iland (T8COS:A).

Dlamini said the education system needed to address the skills challenges including responses to the effects of the fourth industrial revolution.

“There is an urgent need for govern ment to avail training incentives to employers who upskill their workers,´ he said.

The CEO added that there was also a need to create a tripartite platform to deal with issues of trade and job creation affecting the labour market.