Janaury 08, (THEWILL) – For farmers in the apiary system to do well and increase the productivity of honey through beekeeping, the government needs to make provision for soft loans with single-digit interest rates in the sector.
The above submission was made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Austine Natural Bee Products (Aus Bee), Mr Austine Odili while listing the challenges operators are facing in the honey production business through beekeeping.
Austine Natural Bee Products is a company that specialises in the distribution of honey products, provision of bee-keeping equipment, establishment of apiary and treatment of different types of diseases and illnesses.
Speaking with THEWILL on his farm at Ubulu Uku, Aniocha South LGA of Delta, Odili pointed out that, over the years, beekeepers in Nigeria have found it extremely difficult to access loans from banks, a situation that has affected their businesses adversely.
Odili therefore, advised governments, at both the state and federal governments, to put more effort into assisting bee farmers through adequate funding across the country.
Odili said “It is difficult for me to access loans from the banks. We urge the government to do more because even if Delta State as a whole ventures into bee-keeping farming as an occupation, they wouldn’t be able to meet up the country’s demands for honey. I have a target and I want to attract foreign investments. This is because we have the advantage of a natural habitat and good vegetation, which the United States of America does not have”.
According to him, Nigeria needs to maximise what they have and make it more valuable so that foreigners can come, adding that “Americans value honey which is equally expensive over there. We have one of the best honey in the whole world. There are lots of things that honey can be used for such as drugs. With the kind of vegetation Ubulu-Uku has, we should be able to attract investors to come and invest and tap the natural product”.
Going down memory lane on how his beekeeping journey started, Odili said “Actually, when I was in 200 level doing my Industrial Training, they introduced different fields of agriculture and I picked interest when we were introduced to beekeeping. After the introduction, I undergo a little training by my lecturer and then in school. At that point, I started practising it gradually in my village. It was a very small project initially but at the 400 level, I went for another Industrial Training which was a full-time 6-month programme in beekeeping. I did it practically in the bush. That was how I started it since the past eight years now.
On the advantages that honey has over sugar, he said “Sugar has brought down the lifespan of many people. Sugar has been killing people and honey is just the rescue. Our fathers lasted very long but these days people die early because of the things we consume. The value of honey is too much as it has the capacity to generate income, improve health, improve the economy and bring development.
Odili equally lamented that most of the equipment used in beekeeping farming is accessed outside the country, which costs huge sums of funds.
On how their equipment is accessed, he said “Some of the equipment is available but they are majorly imported. To augment, we fabricate them by ourselves sometimes. For example, I have a sewing machine that I use to sow bee suits to protect myself. I also buy safety boots and hand gloves to protect myself. Even the smokers we use to calm down the bees, we still have fabricators that can fabricate those things. The same with the machine we use to pack the honey.
Mr Odili from Ubulu Uku in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State equally noted that his hometown, Ubulu-Uku specifically, has rich vegetation and habitat, advising that the people should take advantage of such natural resources, to bring in foreign investors.
Odili, a graduate of Agricultural Extension Studies has made an impact on beekeeping as a profession.
He has, therefore, established bee farms, trained people and is into the sale of bee products such as honey, bee wax and other bee bye products. He also produces honey soaps, equipment and other things that go alongside honey.
” I also sell bee equipment and other materials that have to do with bees. I also established bee farms for people who are into agriculture. I even help out those who are not into agriculture but have farmlands in urban areas and villages. These are my major occupations in bee farming”, Odili said.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
