World Bee Day: Nigeria can diversify economy through bee-keeping – Farmer

The President of Grassroot Beekeepers of Nigeria, Pastor Dagunduro Gideon, said Nigeria can diversify its economy from oil through beekeeping and the production of honey.

Speaking on the backdrop of the celebration of 2023 “World Bee Day” in Abuja, Dagunduro told Daily Trust on Sunday that the celebration by the United Nations presents an opportunity and a call for global cooperation and solidarity to ensure the prioritisation of the protection of bees and other pollinators.

He said if done properly, it would go a long way in mitigating threats posed to food security, agricultural livelihoods and defense against biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

Dagunduro further explained that the day has been set aside by the United Nations through the initiative of the Slovenian stakeholders in collaboration with Apimondia and FAO to commemorate the role bees play in human lives and to the environment.

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According to him, “Many people have a strong phobia for bees having received the sting, thus associating bees with danger. The first reaction many people have when they are visited by a swarm of bees is to call the pest control or simply boil water and pour on them.

“The World Bee Day has been set aside to change that perception and start to see, appreciate and recognize the immense role bees play in food production through crop pollination, employment and business opportunities through beekeeping ventures and related services.”

The leader of the Grassroots Bee Keepers noted that Nigeria’s honey market alone is worth N3 billion annually.

He said “The market for beekeeping and honey production is huge. From cosmetics, medicine, confectioneries, and the pharmaceutical industries, to religious groups, the demand for organic honey and other bi-products is growing.

“Honey has established itself as the best alternative to synthesized sugar, as such it is priced high in the international market with a high demand for the product.