Officials have blamed climate change and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals for the sharp decline in honey production to 25,000 tonnes.
About 13,000 metric tonnes of honey are required to bridge the gap of the standard annual national consumption level of about 38, 000 metric tonnes, the officials said.
They have also blamed destruction of bee habitats as well as emerging pests and diseases for low production.
“In order to reverse this trend, new and bold initiatives are required to achieve the estimated annual production potential of 100,000 metric tonnes in the country,” Livestock Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai said when he opened the Nakuru County Apiculture Stakeholders Workshop on Monday.
Mr Kimutai observed that honey production has been on a steady decline in the last several years and urged farmers to be ardent in addressing the industry issues.
Mr Kimutai said contribution of beekeeping to the national economy was estimated at Sh12 billion ($120 million) annually adding that bees contributed to food and nutrition security through pollination of crops.
The workshop was organized for beekeepers, bee equipment manufacturers, honey processors and traders, researchers, students and staff from both the National and County governments “to encourage public-private sector partnership in the bee keeping industry”. Read more…
