Jare Babatunde
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Youth For Apiculture Initiative (YFAI), says it will mark this year’s World Bee Day with a summit focusing on improving market accessibility.
The two-day summit, the third of its kind, is organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
It is slated to begin on May 19 in Abuja with the theme: “AFCFTA: Creating One Market For African Apiculture Sector”.
The YFAI comprises a network of groups and individuals who are passionate about apiculture development in Nigeria and Africa with a vision to upscale youth participation in apiculture for job and wealth creation.
According to YFAI’s president, Mr Yusuf Adeyemo, the summit would provide an opportunity for young beekeepers and other stakeholders to chart a course for the apiculture subsector.
He said: “Youths for Apiculture Initiatives as a frontline organisation has been bringing stockholders together for the past three years in Nigeria especially youth to discuss the growth of beekeeping in Nigeria.
“The purpose of the World Bee Day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem.
“Ths year will not be an exception. We would be commemorating 2022 World Bee Day under the theme “AfCFTA, Creating One Market for African Apiculture Sector”.
“We are aware of the potential of the AfCFTA to boost economic and trade diversity amongst others, and we also want to key into it to increase Nigeria’s stake in beekeeping and it’s value chain.
“This event will coincide with the 3rd Nigerian Youth Beekeeper’s Summit.”
The beekeeper added that the celebration would feature technical sessions, exhibition of honey samples harvested from the different agro-ecological zones in Nigeria.
“We also intend to launch a support fund for Nigerian Honey Repository to repositioning Nigeria honey for AfCFTA trade.
“We would also unveil a 4-year YFAI ‘Success Story’ as well as special stories of 50 young beekeepers impacted by YFAI across Nigeria,” Adeyemo said.
In December 2017, the United Nations approved May 20 as World Bee Day and the first World Bee Day was celebrated on Sunday, May 20, 2018.
Some dignitaries expected at this year’s event include be Mr Mohammad Abubakar, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Mr David Mukomana, Apimondia Regional Commission for Africa.
Others are the President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Farouk Mudi and representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
YFAI is a not-for-profit Apiculture industry initiative, with over 1000 member, including institutios, clustures, off-takers, retailers, supplier ls and NGOs as critical stakeholders of the honey value chain, from across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
