Beekeeping can be profitable, yet fulfilling the demand presents difficulties.' These were the statements made by Mr. Abudu Inanigie, a ...
Beekeeping can be profitable, yet fulfilling the demand presents difficulties.' These were the statements made by Mr. Abudu Inanigie, a beekeeper from Edo State.
He mentioned that beekeeping is quite simple and lucrative when one adheres to proper methods and optimal techniques. However, individuals are hesitant to get involved due to perceiving it as challenging, along with the risk of bee stings.
Mr. Inanigie, a former government employee, mentioned that he has enjoyed beekeeping, calling it quite straightforward and less challenging compared to other agricultural methods.
Abudu, who owns a farm in Auchi and the Ikabigbo community within the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, also imparts knowledge to individuals interested in starting beekeeping.
He pointed out that bee-keeping, similar to other forms of agriculture, faces initial difficulties that are deterring individuals from engaging in it.
Mr. Inanigie mentioned that acquiring land with sufficient flowering plants is a significant challenge, as bees depend on nectar from flowers for their productivity, and without it, maintaining output would be problematic.
The contemporary practice of bee-keeping (a worldwide activity) has not been adopted by the small number of individuals involved," stated Mr. Inanigie, "as those engaged in it are not inclined towards global standard methods.
He stated that the high level of honey adulteration by vendors causes people to doubt the existence of genuine honey.
Due to contamination, individuals are unable to tell the difference between genuine and impure honey, which influences the product's cost.
He mentioned that beekeepers lack access to government resources such as loans, grants, or supplies, and other similar facilities.
This presents a difficulty since the government lacks an inventory of farmers in Nigeria, including information about their identities, farms, and total numbers.
Nevertheless, he mentioned that a lack of understanding or knowledge regarding beekeeping is another obstacle causing young people to avoid it.
Additionally, another issue is theft and lack of security, with individuals resorting to using fire to collect the honey, which negatively impacts the beekeeping industry.
Market
He stated that there is strong demand for honey, "but we are barely able to fulfill it because very few people are involved in the industry."
When individuals learn that you offer authentic honey, they are likely to keep coming back, and fulfilling their required amounts can occasionally be challenging.
How to Start Bee-Keeping
As a novice, it's best to begin modestly, and as time passes, with gradual advancements, you can keep growing.
He stated that possessing knowledge and comprehension of bee behavior is essential to achieve success in this field.
We encounter various kinds of bees, including calm and aggressive ones, with the most prevalent in Nigeria being the aggressive variety. Understanding this is essential if you aim to become a successful beekeeper, whether for personal use or business.
He stated that as a novice, it is essential to wear protective gear, such as a beekeeping suit, and use tools like a smoker to calm the bees and minimize their aggression, along with gloves and a hive for honey production.
For the beehive, you build boxes and a platform to hang them, but you can obtain boxes that are already attached to trees if constructing a stand is not possible.
You also need a location with flowers since bees need nectar to make honey. It should be a spot that is easy to reach and allows for convenient observation of the bees.
"You begin with four to five bee colonies and learn alongside them, and as you gain more experience over time, you will become accustomed to it, since bee stings are a common part of beekeeping," he said.
He mentioned that as a beekeeper, you can't avoid bee stings, but you can minimize them by wearing protective gear.
Prices
In beekeeping, the problem of middlemen is not significant since the farmers can directly reach buyers, in contrast to other types of agriculture.
The costs differ since the rate at which you sell to businesses is not the same as for neighbors or a regular individual.
A 50cl bottle of honey costs between N6,000 and N7,000; a 75cl one ranges from N9,000 to N10,000, and some places sell it for N15,000 or more. A litre, which is 100cl, is approximately N15,000. A 10-litre container is around N150,000 or higher. Additionally, a four-litre size is roughly N40,000. Honey is expensive due to its spiritual and economic significance.
He mentioned that farmers require knowledge, stating, "although people are still accustomed to the traditional approach, the optimal method is to implement modern beekeeping techniques, which allow you to track the bees' behavior and identify when they face issues with disease, enabling timely care."
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
