Two entrepreneurs, who have made a success in beekeeping and honey production, are focused on training and skills development to improve the nation’s competitiveness in honey production, DANIEL ESSIET reports.
For Bidemi Ojeleye, a hobby in beekeeping has evolved into a thriving business venture with about 4000 hives.
The founder/Director, Centre for Bee Research &Development (CEBRAD), said: “I started beekeeping venture about 33 years ago as a hobbyist in Ibadan.
During the period, my experience was very minimal, but I tried to boost it through further study and also by attending conferences and workshops.
He has apiaries in Ibadan and Ile- Ife. He told The Nation that every successful beekeeper must be ready for bee stings at a the early stage.
According to him, beekeeping skills are essential for one to be successful in the business. These include knowing how to handle the honey once it is extracted among other things.
Ojeleye, a certified Master Beekeeper and National President of Federation of Beekeepers Association of Nigeria (FEBKAN), believes working with a mentor is one of the best ways to grow in it.
One thing that helps him is visiting the farm regularly to inspect the bees and clean the hives.
He considers the hive location important to honey production and ensures the hives are located near to floral sources and water.
His secret of success: “My sustainability in the business has been my ability to learn from others irrespective of their experience and sincerity with the quality of my honey.”
He added: ‘’ln 1999, my company of two other trustees, and I established CEBRAD, the only non-governmental organisation (NGO) on bee research in Nigeria then.
With this NGO, I was able to handle beekeeping projects for individuals, national and international organisations, federal state and local governments to mention but few.
‘’I had over 4,000 hives in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government, Oyo North, part of which were being used for research.
This assisted us with the data conducted for Raw Materials Research & Development Council and it also spurred my basic interest in showcasing my experience in beekeeping through publications.”
Words of mouth and satisfied customers have been the impetus that has made the business a success.
He advised existing and upcoming commercial beekeepers to make sincerity their watchwords. Said he: ”God will not forgive anyone that sells adulterated honey to people who may need it for health purpose. I also want to advise consumers to be weary of the type of honey they buy to save them from poison.”
CEBRAD also engages in training and consultancy apart from sales of honey and other beehives products.
For investors, Ojeleye said the industry is a gold mine waiting to explored.
Aspiring beekeepers also can purchase queen honeybees from him.
Like Ojeleye, Daniel Oduntan, the Chief Executive Officer, Bee-Craft Consult, Greater Salt Lake City Area, United States, is one of the international beekeepers, in Nigeria.
He runs a venture, which manufactures, supplies and trades in honey. Today, his organisation has trained over 1000 farmers.
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The German-trained queen bee breeder-cum apitherapist is on a mission to encourage commercial beekeeping in Nigeria. With over 27years’ experience in the business, Oduntan is also a trainer and resource person in Nigeria and the US.
In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Oduntan established the Institute of Vocational Beecraft to train people in commercial beekeeping. He also trains growers and smallholders. At a point in time, he was one of the major trainers in the country.
Beekeeping has not only increased his income level significantly, it has also enabled him to provide employment to many youths. His farm produces honey and bee-hive frames.
It provides entrepreneurship and supports market linkage, giving input on new technology for honey processing and extracting to farmers.
While in the US, Oduntan founded Bee-Craft Consult, with a vision to be a “worthy example for making a living through beekeeping, empowering others, and sustaining our natural environment.
Oduntan said beekeeping is a thriving endeavour, which can help raise income level of local entrepreneurs and create employment for youths.
He said he was ready to train more Nigerians on commercial beekeeping through online classes and hands-on demonstration classes.
Since arriving in the US, Oduntan’s work has led him to European countries, such as Germany, Italy and Austria, with exceptional beekeeping practices.
He has expanded his knowledge and improved his skills, increasing his passion for beekeeping in Utah, US.
He added that learning to manage hives was critical for the sustainability of the business. Each beehive, he explained, could produce a lot of honey, but it depends on various factors, such as location, weather, temperature, pests, and local flora.
According to him, with better management, some hives can produce larger amount. With proper management, Oduntan said a hive can become profitable, especially if the beekeeper is willing to consider other streams of revenue.
During training, Oduntan exposed participants to the potential of beeswax, which can be converted to products, such as candles, soap, and lip balm.
He also trains people on how to produce bee pollen, which provides a lot of health-related benefits.
He wants people to eat healthy and replace sugar with honey in their food and beverages. He has built a large online community of honey lovers across the world.
With the rising interest of entrepreneurs in bee farming, and individuals working at various levels and in various capacities to revive the practice, he sees a new future for the bee as well as for honey in the coming years.
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