Papua New Guinea honey to go on show

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

 

Livestock Development Corporation and its partners are preparing to host a national field day on potential of honey bee industry.

It is anticipated that the honey bee promotion and awareness event and a seminar will be held in Goroka later this month or in June.

LDC managing director John Akipe said the field day and seminar was a follow-up to the first-ever national apiculture industry workshop held in early March which attracted a large turnout and was very successful.

He said the workshop was well attended by all stakeholders including bee farmers, producers, buyers, suppliers, government, industry and institutions and this planned field day and seminar was part of the overall process in developing and promoting the honey bee industry in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Akipe said the proceedings of the workshop and the way forward plan of the apiculture programme would be presented in the seminar, whilst the field day would involve displays of honey bee farming equipment and materials, bee processing and manufacturing facilities, queen breeders, and finished products.

Selected farmers, farmer associations, relevant government agencies and private sector will be invited to participate and put up displays.

Mr Akipe said an organising committee had been established to prepare and plan for the big event.

The committee comprises representatives from LDC, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, Eastern Highlands provincial administration, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and  Isten Hailens Beekeepers Association.

Invitations will be extended to government agencies, institutions and new farmers in other regions to attend.

 It is hoped that the successful Bulolo bee farmers of Morobe province will attend and showcase their thriving honey bee programme.