World Bee Day 2022, observed on 20 May, aims to spread awareness on the significance of bees and other pollinators for survival. In this context, the Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, along with the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, visited, this evening, the apiary of Mr and Mrs Joel Larché based in l’Aventure.
The Larché couple has some 100 beehives. The objective of the visit was to take cognisance of the progress achieved by the couple and to sensitise prospective beekeepers on the local production of honey in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Gobin commended the engagement of Mr and Mrs Larché for beekeeping and their contribution to the production of honey locally. Their success story is an inspiration for people willing to invest in beekeeping and honey production, he said. On this score, he called for more local production of honey as he observed there are only 625 registered beekeepers in Mauritius. The honey production in 2021 was 30 tons while 300 tons were imported.
The Minister also enumerated various measures to supporting beekeepers including loan by the Development Bank of Mauritius of up to Rs 50 000 with an interest of 2% over a period of four years; duty free on double cab vehicles (2×4 and 4×4); and grant of 50% for a maximum of Rs 20 000 for purchase of beekeeping equipment.
World Bee Day
The theme retained for 2022 is Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees. The main purpose of World Bee Day The United Nations (UN) focuses on the threats of protection posed by COVID-19 to bees and other pollinators. The UN also urged upon beekeeping awareness and the importance of bee-derived products.
