Honey Plant Boosts Arua
BEE Natural Products (BNP) a company that exports 500 to 700 tonnes of sweet honey a year, is promoting and helping in the harvesting of natural foods directly from the bee keepers and farmers in Arua district to the market.
By Emmanuel Mukanga in Arua
BEE Natural Products (BNP) a company that exports 500 to 700 tonnes of sweet honey a year, is promoting and helping in the harvesting of natural foods directly from the bee keepers and farmers in Arua district to the market.
BNP has joined hands with the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) to build the capacities of farmers.
Dr. Oryokot of NAADS says six entomologists within the department would give technical support, supervision and monitor, the beekeepers.
In 2001, NAADS introduced advisory services to over 265 farmers in Arua district.
The aim was to ensure sustainable production of honey and bee wax so as to generate and improve farmers’ incomes.
Investors in the sector include Maria Odido DiFonzo, the chairperson of beekeepers.
and dealers, who recently set up a factory at Ediofe, near Arua town.
Farmers say that the BNP/NAADS programme would ultimately improve the quality of honey production from the hive to harvesting, processing, storage and marketing.
The programme benefits mostly women, the youth, the elderly and other disadvantaged groups living in rural areas, because they are the ones that are mainly involved in bee keeping. BNP also buys honey from 525 farmers in West Nile who are not yet in the NAADS programme.
Farmers say BNP hives were high yielding.
ncreased honey content because the bee space setting was done professionally. Three hives produced about 20 kg of honey. BNP buys grade A combed honey from the beekeepers at 1,000/- and grade B at 800/- a kilo. Pests and hunters are some of the challenges the beekeepers still faced.Ends
BEE Natural Products (BNP) a company that exports 500 to 700 tonnes of sweet honey a year, is promoting and helping in the harvesting of natural foods directly from the bee keepers and farmers in Arua district to the market.
BNP has joined hands with the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) to build the capacities of farmers.
Dr. Oryokot of NAADS says six entomologists within the department would give technical support, supervision and monitor, the beekeepers.
In 2001, NAADS introduced advisory services to over 265 farmers in Arua district.
The aim was to ensure sustainable production of honey and bee wax so as to generate and improve farmers’ incomes.
Investors in the sector include Maria Odido DiFonzo, the chairperson of beekeepers.
and dealers, who recently set up a factory at Ediofe, near Arua town.
Farmers say that the BNP/NAADS programme would ultimately improve the quality of honey production from the hive to harvesting, processing, storage and marketing.
The programme benefits mostly women, the youth, the elderly and other disadvantaged groups living in rural areas, because they are the ones that are mainly involved in bee keeping. BNP also buys honey from 525 farmers in West Nile who are not yet in the NAADS programme.
Farmers say BNP hives were high yielding.
ncreased honey content because the bee space setting was done professionally. Three hives produced about 20 kg of honey. BNP buys grade A combed honey from the beekeepers at 1,000/- and grade B at 800/- a kilo. Pests and hunters are some of the challenges the beekeepers still faced.Ends