‘Honey Fair 2025’ and apiculture seminar held by BSCIC
The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has organised the "Honey Fair 2025" to promote apiculture and highlight its potential as a vital industry in Bangladesh.
The event includes a seminar on BSCIC's initiatives and the country's roadmap for developing beekeeping.
Dr Mokhlesur Rahman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, inaugurated the event on Sunday as the chief guest. The Industries Secretary, Md Obaidur Rahman, attended as a special guest, while the BSCIC Chairman, Md Saiful Islam, presided.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Highlighting the nutritional and medicinal value of honey, Dr Rahman called the fair a unique initiative and suggested integrating honey into the education curriculum. He also urged that such events be held in open spaces to attract wider participation.
Industries Secretary Obaidur Rahman emphasized the importance of promoting natural honey as a healthier alternative to sugar and urged for strict action against traders selling adulterated honey.
The keynote was presented by Professor Dr Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain of the Entomology Department at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. He said honey has been used for centuries as food and medicine, and with modern beekeeping practices, it has become a promising industry in Bangladesh. With proper support, honey can make significant contributions to nutrition, employment generation, agricultural production, and foreign currency earnings.
Beekeeping entrepreneurs and practitioners also placed demands at the seminar. Md Al Amin, founder of NatureO, said fair pricing is essential to ensure quality honey and improve beekeepers' livelihoods. Afzal Hossain urged the use of food-grade containers and strict action against sellers of adulterated honey, along with low-interest loans for beekeepers. Entrepreneur Shishir Kumar Saha emphasised the need for high-level training for beekeepers to protect bee health and improve breeds.
BSCIC Chairman Saiful Islam outlined the organisation's goal to make Bangladesh a significant exporter of honey, emphasising the provision of expanded training, resources, and global-standard processing to boost foreign currency earnings.
Currently, honey production in Bangladesh stands at 7,546 metric tonnes. The fair features 30 stalls showcasing honey from beekeepers across the country.
