By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Oct 8: Countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea have been seen as huge markets for the exports of stingless bee honey.
Modernisation Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Assistant Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said those countries have huge potential for the exports markets for stingless bee honey.
He added those countries have huge population and strong purchasing powers by consumers which are ideal to market the stingless bee honey.
“I am confident that there is strong demand for stingless bee honey in China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.
“Those markets are huge and have big potential,” he said during the launching of the Malaysian Good Agriculture Practice (myGAP) certification presentation ceremony at a hotel here today.
Sagah was representing Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who was invited to launch the certification programme.
In his speech, Sagah said most of the stingless bee honey farmers and producers were from Kuching, Serian, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Miri which operates an estimated total of 30,000 colonies.
He noted they produced a total of 90 metric tonne of honey per year with sales fetching RM13 million.
Sagah said stingless bee farming has the potential to be expanded in the state as Sarawak has various forms of natural resources.
On another note, state Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet said there were 296 entrepreneurs who were involved in stingless bee farming in Sarawak.
He revealed that there were 10 stingless bee honey entrepreneurs who have registered for the myGAP certification.
Chai said the certification is very important for local farmers and agropreneurs to get their produce to be exported to overseas markets such as Singapore and China. — DayakDaily
