KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia needs to tap into a new alternative source of income via stingless bee farming, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Introduced by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in 2004, he said the growth of stingless bee farming was deemed promising by local and international enthusiasts.
“Furthermore, stingless bee farming is crucial to the conservation and sustainability of the ecosystem as it offers natural pollination, future food security, high-income generation, medicinal products, and research opportunities.
“The demand for honey and other by-products and services from the stingless beekeeping activities are to be explored and connected into the supply-chain concept of management,” he said in his speech delivered by Deputy Chief Minister and state Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau at the 2nd International Stingless Bee Conference and Workshop, here, today.
Shafie said stingless bee honey had been listed as a Malaysian superfood by Mardi and demand for it has increased with more people being aware of its benefits.
“The government is currently finding ways to develop stingless bee farming and, at the same time, transform the agriculture sector through modernising and commercialising the industry, along with the whole supply and value chain,” he said.
He, however, noted that bee domestication, problems with queen-rearing, low honey production, inconsistency in quality and high price of honey, low Malaysian honey standard level, and non-existing body to monitor beekeeping development have become major challenges in the industry.
To ensure the sustainability and profitability of stingless bee industry, Shafie stressed a strong holistic collaboration between the government, private sectors, public and professionals are paramount.
Jointly organised by International Institute of Plantation Management, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, UiTM Sabah and state Rural Development Corporation, the conference event was aimed at promoting greater public awareness on the importance of sustainability in the stingless bee industry.
The four-day conference would also see 30 individuals comprising of scientists, academicians and students showcasing their research findings as well as innovative products related to agriculture.