CBL, UNDP to boost honey production

UNDP has promised to render assistance on an equal equity basis on a long time project of three years with Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) envisage the increase of honey production by 100 percent.

The project will be set afloat on the April 28 at Keppetipola where over 150 bee keepers will be given Bee boxes, Smokers and protective gear.

While each ten member farmer group will be provided with a Centrifugal Honey extractor, a long awaited need, they will also follow five training programs during the next six months covering the important technical aspects of judicious management of a Bee colony for higher production.

With the Artgold program of the UNDP coming forward at its request to merge assistance with the Company’s corporate social endeavours, it creates another milestone in successful implementation of CBL’s longstanding corporate aid program.

The project has its roots in the 2008/2009 era when CBL, in response to a request by the Provincial Director of Agriculture (Uva) decided to give a helping hand to the bee keepers in the Badulla District to uplift the once flourishing industry from rapid decline. The industry reached a crescendo during the Upper Catchment Area Development Program of the Mahaweli Project and showed a rapid downhill race thereafter.

CBL in its intervention offered a guaranteed price scheme together with the services of its proven and sophisticated marketing network. However, the lacuna yet remained for a strong clout to the enhancement of resources and training program of up to date beekeeping technology for improved harvests.