Honey fest starts
Aug 31, 2011
The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO) kicks off its second annual honey fest today with the aim of educating the public on the many attributes of honey bees.
By Macrines Nyapendi
The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO) kicks off its second annual honey fest today with the aim of educating the public on the many attributes of honey bees.
Jackson Jurua, the TUNADO chairperson, said there was an urgent need to educate the public on how to co-exist with bees “because man cannot live without them.†Consumers will also be educated on what to look for when buying honey.
The show that is being held at the Lugogo Forest Mall parking yard ends on September 03. It has has attracted over 24 honey processors.
Honey, bee wax, propolis tincture, wine, soap, candles, shoe polish, pollen grain and royal jelly are some of the products that are being exhibited.
With over 12,000 members and a potential to produce over 500,000 tonnes of honey annually, TUNADO produces a meager 14,000 tonnes, which are not even enough for local consumption.
“Honey is expensive because its demand is high, yet production is low. We are trying to increase production with an aim of exporting it in the next three years,†Jurua said.
Honey farm-gate prices range between sh4,000 and sh7,000 per kilogramme.
Uganda’s honey was certified for export to European markets in 2005, but the country failed to raise the required volumes.
Jurua says Uganda will only be able to export honey if production is increased to about 140,000 tonnes annually.
The increase in production, he said will help cut down Uganda’s honey importationfrom 25% to nil.
The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO) kicks off its second annual honey fest today with the aim of educating the public on the many attributes of honey bees.
Jackson Jurua, the TUNADO chairperson, said there was an urgent need to educate the public on how to co-exist with bees “because man cannot live without them.†Consumers will also be educated on what to look for when buying honey.
The show that is being held at the Lugogo Forest Mall parking yard ends on September 03. It has has attracted over 24 honey processors.
Honey, bee wax, propolis tincture, wine, soap, candles, shoe polish, pollen grain and royal jelly are some of the products that are being exhibited.
With over 12,000 members and a potential to produce over 500,000 tonnes of honey annually, TUNADO produces a meager 14,000 tonnes, which are not even enough for local consumption.
“Honey is expensive because its demand is high, yet production is low. We are trying to increase production with an aim of exporting it in the next three years,†Jurua said.
Honey farm-gate prices range between sh4,000 and sh7,000 per kilogramme.
Uganda’s honey was certified for export to European markets in 2005, but the country failed to raise the required volumes.
Jurua says Uganda will only be able to export honey if production is increased to about 140,000 tonnes annually.
The increase in production, he said will help cut down Uganda’s honey importationfrom 25% to nil.