Government to invest 10 million dollars in beekeeping

Maputo, 21 May (AIM) – The Mozambican minister of agriculture, Roberto Albino, has announced that the government will invest approximately 10 million US dollars in development of the beekeeping value chain in order to increase national honey production, strengthen local processing, and reduce the country’s dependence on honey.

Speaking on Wednesday, in Maputo, at the ceremony marking the World Bee Day, which is celebrated on May 20, the funding, supported by the World Bank, will be applied to strengthening beekeeping production and expanding the agro-industry associated with the sector.

“We are talking about approximately 10 million dollars that we want to invest specifically in beekeeping. The investment will be implemented through direct support to beekeeping in the communities. The amount serves for acquisition of beehives, protective equipment, and beekeeper training”, he said.

A second component will be directed towards the beekeeping agro-industry, covering processing, packaging, certification, and transportation, through concessional credit lines.

The minister also advocated for greater organization and registration of operators in the beekeeping value chain, considering the lack of reliable statistics as one of the main obstacles to the sector’s growth.

“We don’t have consolidated statistics on what is happening in the beekeeping value chain. These limitations also affect decisions related to trade policy and the management of honey restrictions”, he said.

Albino also called for stronger focus on domestic production, and questioned “why are we spending foreign currency we don’t have on importing honey from the United Arab Emirates?”

Albino also highlighted the strategic role of beekeeping in environmental conservation, income generation, and the promotion of inclusive rural development, involving communities, young people, and women.

(AIM)

SNN/Am/