Director Farm Center of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM), Professor Ali Adamu, has urged the leveraging in beekeeping as a huge advantage in Benue State as well as other states in the country.
Adamu, stated this at a one day workshop, showcasing the development of modern beekeeping value chain organized by the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), in Benue state on the 23rd July, 2024.
The Technical Officer JOSTUM Mr. Peter Babatunde who represented the Director, enjoined the people of Benue and in particular, the Bee-keeping association to tap generously into the development of bee keeping. “If this is explored to its full capacity, the economy of the State will be greatly improved. Job opportunities will be created and crime in the state will be greatly curbed.
According to him, Benue state is blessed with vast natural vegetation and farmland. Adding that, despite the gift of large natural resources, the state is yet to leverage on beekeeping practices.
This Workshop was aimed at encouraging the people of Benue and the association of bee keepers on the importance of reviving bee keeping practices in the state.
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The Chairman of Bee-Keepers Association Benue State chapter, Mr. J. T. Aza highlighted that the practice of bee keeping overtime, has been neglected and that this was either due to the lack of awareness or proper mobilization for the bee keepers. “I urge both women and the youth to maximize the numerous opportunities the comes with beekeeping practices.
Speaking, the Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor Martin Ike-Muonso represented by the Benue State Coordinator Mrs. Iveren Abel-Ugir, said that the lecture was organized to promote Bee-Keeping practices and re-awaken the interest of the people of Benue on the economic, health and industrial benefits of beekeeping.
Further speaking, he assured the association that participants will be equipped with pre-requisite knowledge required for the development of beekeeping in the State.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Food and Technology Research, Benue State University, represented by the Deputy, Dr. Sylvester Adejo, stirred participants to explore the facilities at the Centre, to avail themselves with necessary materials to further take advantage of the resources available.
Adding, he stated that the Centre has collaborated with numerous organisations and associations in the past and would continue to maximize such relationships.
In attendance were; representatives from the Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation and the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, alongside the Benue State Commissioners for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Secretary to the Chairman of Bee-Keepers Association Benue State Chapter Micheal Shenge and Trade and Investment and many others.
