Second stage of bee honey production programme

S M Farook Welimada Special Corr

Bee honey production in Uva Province has improved under a special project to develop the industry launched by the Uva Provincial Council’s Agriculture Department in collaboration with UNDPs Art Gold organization and ceylon Biscuits Ltd in 2007. The second stage of the project commenced at a ceremony at the Keppetipola special Economic Centre recently.

Although the bees honey Project flourished in the 1970s under the Mahaweli Upper Catchment Development Project it dwindled subsequently, due to marketing problems and scarcity of equipment. This forced the government to import 40 to 50 tons of bees honey annually spending invaluable foreign exchange.

The Uva Province Bees honey production development project was launched to increase local production and help the country to cut down imports and save foreign exchange.

Addressing the gathering Ceylon Biscuits Ltd special Projects Manager Aruna Lokupothagamage said.