AU helps to set up of National Apiculture Platform in Mauritius

16 Novembre 2017

Port-Louis, Mauritius, November 16 (Infosplusgabon) - The National Apiculture Platform in Mauritius will create synergies among stakeholders of the sector, and will help increase their willingness to mobilise resources collectively for the production of honey.

This was stated by the project officer of the Apiculture Development/African Union-InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources Dr Sarah Ossiya on Thursday.

"Mauritius like other African countries should invest more in apiculture in order to access international markets," she emphasised, at the launch of the platform that will help in creating a greater regional awareness of the potential of the industry as well as lay emphasis on the importance of the domestic beekeeping industry.

Agro-Industry and Food Security Minister Mahen Seeruttun highlighted that the potentials of the apiculture sector need to be further tapped so as to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security.

He recalled that apiculture, which is practised mainly as a part-time activity in Mauritius, has been affected by the presence of the varroa mite and the small hive beetle.

"As a result, honey production has decreased significantly over the previous years. Consequently, Government has taken several initiatives to support beekeepers," he said. These include training and capacity-building programmes carried out by international experts on beekeeping management for some 360 beekeepers", he emphasised.

Mahen Seeruttun said organic beehive and beekeeping kits comprising organic beehive, hat and veil, smoke and hive tool have been distributed to beekeepers in Mauritius and Rodrigues. Bee reserve zones have also been set up in different regions to increase the productivity of honey.

Speaking of organic honey production, the Minister urged beekeepers to adopt environmentally-smart agricultural practices and use organic techniques to generate high-quality products.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/EST/ GABON 2017

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