Honey industry gains higher dimensions [Archives:2005/906/Local News]

SANA'A, Dec. 25 – The production of Yemeni honey is rated at an annual total of 1706 tons as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture in its latest report. Seventeen percent of the quantity produced is exported to neighboring and foreign countries generating an income of $ 9 million. The same statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that the number of grown beehives exceeded a million in Yemen. This is considered a significant increase and proves as economic investment potential. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture told the media recently that the Ministry is considering investing in the honey sector, among the five strategic crops to support in the coming development plans.

The Taiz based honeybee development project which was established in 1993 through German funding, is now being considered strategically as potential national economic project. Muqbil Naser Al-Bahr, General Manager of the project, in a press statement explained that the project, in cooperation with the beekeepers and 'IDAS' had carried out 253, long and short training courses for more than 4037 beekeepers from different parts of the country. Moreover, 4260 field and office visits were made to 3800 beneficiaries in light of this training program and eighty-three field surveys were conducted regarding 539 beekeepers.

More interesting is that the honey sector is encouraged to create its own associations and networks. This would be considered as a significant step in professional this industry and including it in the organized sector of the national economy. The creation of such associations as mentioned by the beekeepers would assist in marketing their products and beekeeping tools. In addition, a database of the beekeeping industry and relevant information will be created during the project implementation.
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