Association seeks govt’s assistance to produce honey for export The Enugu Bee Keepers Association (EBKA) has appealed to Federal and Enugu State Governments to assist the association with funds and modern equipment to produce large quantity of honey for export. The President of the association, Igwe Uche Anikwe, made the appeal while speaking with Newsmen […]
Association seeks govt’s assistance to produce honey for export
The Enugu Bee Keepers Association (EBKA) has appealed to Federal and Enugu State Governments to assist the association with funds and modern equipment to produce large quantity of honey for export.
The President of the association, Igwe Uche Anikwe, made the appeal while speaking with Newsmen in Enugu on Friday.
Supreme Magazine gather that nutrition experts have over time recommended the use of honey instead of sugar or sweeteners for daily meal.
Honey has also been prescribed by modern and traditional medical practitioners for cure of some diseases such as cough, sore throat, burns and vision problem, among others.
Anikwe said the 3,000 members of EBKA needed interest-free or soft loans to acquire more bee hives to produce enough quantity for the quantum of honey needed internationally.
“Our members, who are mostly youths, need to be engaged in more local and foreign training, where they will acquire modern techniques and processes that will help to enhance the quality and quantity of honey for export,’’ he said.
He said that there was a need to create more sensitisation on beekeeping in the state and the South East for more people to take to bee farming as a means of livelihood.
Anikwe, who is the Traditional Ruler of Diogbe Community near Nsukka, noted that with more productive beekeepers or farmers coming into the business, the large quantity for export would be met.
“From Sept. 25 to Sept. 29, 2018 when EBI-Expo Africa 2018 was organised in Abuja, among 36 countries in Africa and 36 states in the country including the FCT, Enugu State emerged the overall best.
“The state through EBKA was awarded 'Best Exhibitor/Producer Organisation’.
“That singular Expo placed Enugu State in the global map of honey producers.
“EBKA, as an association, is calling on governments at the state and federal levels to help us sustain and surpass the present tempo of honey production,’’ he said.
Supreme Magazine gather that a 75 cl bottle of pure honey, especially the popular 'Nsukka Grade -1’, is sold for between N2, 000 and N2, 500 in markets in Enugu metropolis.
Source: NAN
Photo Credit: Google
