HONEY BIG REVENUE EARNER - SICHINGA

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Robert Sichinga

KELLY NJOMBO, LusakaZAMBIA has potential to earn over US$12 million from in excess of 10,000 metric tonnes of honey exports annually but, need to increase investment in research and technology, a senior government official says.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Robert Sichinga said key stakeholders in the honey sector should contribute to strategies that will revamp the business to its full potential, thereby create jobs and income generation among the rural communities.
Statistics show that there are over 30,000 smallholder beekeepers actively engaged in beekeeping.
Officiating at the honey expo week in Lusaka on Tuesday, the minister said, “If these [smallholders] are properly harnessed and supported, Zambia is capable of producing over 10,000 metric tonnes of honey annually instead of the current 2,000 tonnes, translating into about US$12 million in foreign exchange through exports.”
Mr Sichinga said there is need to sensitise the public on the importance of honey consumption, as this will result in increased demand and production.
“However, it is sad to note that the honey sector in Zambia has not been fully developed and is faced with a number of challenges such as limited access to markets and modern technology and limited investment in research and development,” he said.
He said it would be encouraging to see honey factories revamped in Kabompo and Kaoma, and create new ones in other districts to provide market for the bee-keepers.
He said with increased production and demand, Zambia has the potential to become a major honey exporter in Africa.
“Demand will result in increased production and more income generation among the people through beekeeping, consequently Zambia becoming the leading producer and exporter of honey in Africa,” he said.
Earlier, SNV Zambia country director Sue Ellis said beekeeping has the potential to contribute to economic development and create jobs.
Dr Ellis said, “With the export and domestic market potentials for the product, beekeeping is likely to contribute to poverty reduction and develop the rural communities in the country.”
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