Uganda was to host the first honey exhibition in Africa on August 24, to raise awareness about investment opportunities in honey trade.
“This is a great opportunity for us to participate in the expo dubbed ‘ApiExpo Africa’ due in October to share our experiences on the development of bee keeping and exhibit our bee products with an aim of sourcing for export markets in Africa and Europe,” said Florence Katta, the Uganda Export Promotion Board executive director.
“We believe in the promotion and development of the apiculture (honey) sector in Uganda and want to spread our footprints in Africa. Rural bee-farmers countrywide should grasp this important event to create strong business linkages with players in the international and regional markets,” Katta said at the opening of the apiculture stakeholders meeting at the UEPB boardroom.
“The exhibition will also help bee-keepers seek knowledge on how to enhance the quality and quantity of honey to make Uganda the giant source of the product in Africa and the leading exporter to the international markets,” she said.
Bosco Okello, the assistant trade promotion officer, said: “The exhibitors will showcase honey products, modern honey processing equipment and distribute brochures and news letters.”
Jurua Jackson of the Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO), said investing in bee-keeping was cost-effective. “It is time for people to think about investing in this sector because one does not require huge start -up capital and it is not labour intensive. The profits are good," he said.
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