Climate change, urbanisation key concerns for bee-rearing – DCE
Mr Louis Akata, Biakoye District Chief Executive, has said urbanization, environmental degradation and the increased use of pesticides could endanger the sustainability of the bee-rearing industry.
He said the current situation could hinder the access of flowers by bees which is a crucial element in the production of honey for food, medicine.
Mr Akata said this during the launch of the Biakoye District Bee-Keeping Project, under which, ten individuals are undergoing a training program at Tapa-Abotoase.
The event was organised by the Tapa-Abotoase based Eden Garden Beekeeping Project under the auspices of the Volta Region Association of Bee-Keepers (VORAB) and supported by the Ghanaman Community Re-Investment Trust Fund.
Mr Akata appealed to the stakeholders to be innovative in finding ways to sustain the industry due to the impact of climate change and urbanization.
He commended the Association for their innovation in breeding stingless bees, whose medicinal properties superseded that of the well-known sting-bees and pledged the Assembly’s support to the Association.
He commended Nana Oboafuor Asante II, Tapamanhene, for the release of land for the Association’s activities.
Mr Samuel Y. Torsu, Executive Director of VORAB, said membership of the Association currently stands at 1,331, who produce about 25 metric tons of honey annually in the region.
He said VORAB was embarking on District Apiaries Development and Resource Centres throughout the region to help in the afforestation program and organic beekeeping as well as biodiversity conservation.
Mr Torsu called on individuals, donors, conservationists and biodiversity advocates to come to their aid.
Mr Sylvester Zigah, Treasurer and Trustee of Ghanaman, said his outfit was supporting the project with GH¢8,000 out of the GH¢1.8 billion facility.
Mr Mkpe KodjoTornyi, Manager of Eden Gardens, said the training program is for 12 months at an estimated cost of GH¢30,000 and appealed to corporate, non-governmental and public institutions to support them to realize their dream.
Source: GNA