300 Pader farmers trained in beekeeping
PADER– At least 300 farmers in Latany and Awere sub-counties in Pader district have been trained in beekeeping, honey preparation, and value addition, which will in the end help farmers boost their household income.
Kons-Burg Company Limited in partnership with William Apiary, a Lira City-based company dealing in honey products, training, and marketing also trained the farmers in identifying sites for beekeeping, equipment, and honey harvesting.
Willam Ocen, the Chief Executive Officer of William Apiary, encouraged farmers in the district and northern Uganda at large to venture into beekeeping, saying it will help them fight abject poverty but also create employment.
According to research, the greatest potential to increase beekeeping yields resides in northern Uganda where 60 percent of households own beehives.
But the low production has since been attributed to weak policies, lack of skills in beekeeping, knowledge exchange, and weak investment plan.
The country harvest only 1 percent of the estimated production potential of 500,000 tonnes of honey.
Ocen said in order to increase production in Acholi and Lango sub-regions, should take beekeeping as a business that doesn’t require starting capital.
Beekeeping is thought to be a crucial component of livelihood diversification in Africa as it can supplement household income, food security, and medicine.
Tom Anyii, one of the beekeepers and honey processors in the Lango Sub-region, said honey boosts the immune system as it provides vitamins and minerals, among other health ingredients.
“People take beekeeping as a waste of time but I want to say, a farmer who has picked the enterprise will never regret,” he added.
Wimrob Bee Company, Archive Way, Aryodi Bee Farm, Gates Honey, and, most recently, Green and White are aiming at boosting the honey sector in the region.
https://thecooperator.news/bee-farmers-advise-govt-to-recruit-more-entomologists/
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