Nigeria Needs ₦36bn to Boost Commercial Honey Production

News in brief:

-Nigeria requires ₦36 billion to transition honey production from small-scale operations to commercial levels.

-Investment in apiculture could boost food security through improved pollination and youth participation.

The Youth for Agricultural Initiatives (YFAI) has stated that Nigeria requires nearly ₦36 billion in investment to scale up commercial honey and apiculture production across the country.

The Director General of YFAI Africa, Mr Niyi Adeyemo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. He claims that Nigeria continues to lag in commercial honey production largely due to limited access to finance, despite growing awareness of apiculture.

“We have not scaled up to the commercial level in honey production. In terms of awareness, we have done better, but commercial production has not increased because there is no access to funds,” he said.

According to him, potential investors and commercial banks are hesitant due to unclear financing models and uncertain timelines for returns on investment.

He added that although the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) is making efforts to bring beekeeping into the spotlight, significant funding remains critical.

States Urged to Invest ₦1bn Each in Apiculture

Adeyemo stated that Nigeria would require about ₦36 billion to transform apiculture nationwide, noting that this could be achieved if each state commits about ₦1 billion to the sector.

“If each state can dedicate about ₦1 billion to apiculture, the funding will have a multi-dimensional impact on productivity. We need about ₦36 billion investment to boost apiculture production in Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that adequate funding would enable the establishment of queen bee rearing centres, ensuring the availability of high-quality queens for new and existing bee farms.

The YFAI Director General revealed that investment in apiculture would also improve security and food production across agricultural value chains. He advocated for the creation of designated bee estates or bee villages, which would provide secure environments for beekeeping activities.

“A bee village is a designated place for beekeeping with heightened security. This will boost the diversity of local food production,” he said.

According to him, increased bee populations would significantly enhance pollination, leading to improved crop yields, better food quality and strengthened national food security.

Awareness and Youth Participation Improving

Adeyemo noted that the apiculture sector has made progress in awareness creation and youth engagement.

“More people, especially youths, are now involved in apiculture. More farms are also embracing commercial beekeeping gradually instead of the traditional methods,” he said.

He added that consumer awareness has improved, with Nigerians becoming more conscious about the quality of honey they consume.

“There is now a better understanding of the difference between pure honey and adulterated honey. People are more conscious of buying from the right sources,” he said.

He urged consumers to buy honey only from verified beekeepers and approved suppliers to encourage genuine production and sustain the growth of the sector.