By DADA AYOKHAI
In an unwavering effort to provide Edo North youths with a renewed outlook on life, former Edo State Commissioner of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives, Hon. Afie Braimoh, has launched a groundbreaking beekeeping program.
This initiative aims to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in beekeeping, fostering business opportunities and sustainable incomes.
Hon. Afie Braimoh, hailing from Owan, continues to make significant contributions even after leaving office.
During the recent elections, Owan youths sought job opportunities, but she emphasized that, instead of jobs, they needed to be taught how to create opportunities.
Recognizing the abundance of agricultural resources, she committed to programs that would transform the youths into employers while enhancing their skills in various value chain opportunities.
Her primary objective is to empower the youths in the Edo North district through the art of beekeeping.
Collaborating with development partners from her impactful tenure as commissioner, Hon. Braimoh expresses optimism that the training program will yield positive results. Despite a brief delay in securing support, she assures that the beekeeping training is now in full swing, with no intentions of looking back.
Assessing the potential benefits of the program, which commenced with the first batch of participants rotating across the six local government areas.
Hon. Braimoh anticipates that the youths will seize the opportunity to reshape their destiny.
She emphasizes that the acquired skills will be lifelong, and each participant will receive a complete beekeeping kit to kickstart their beekeeping business.
Highlighting the significance of the program, she envisions the trained youths returning to their communities as self-employed individuals capable of sustaining themselves.
The initial cohort strategically placed 15 hives around cashew, ogbono, and other fruit trees, benefiting both the beekeepers and cashew farmers with a 30% increase in yield.
Hon. Braimoh asserts that youths can create their own jobs and contribute to feeding nations. By building bee houses to attract bees, participants can harvest honey with significant returns in the global honey market.
Notably, Edo honey stands out due to its unique dark color and bitter-sweet taste, derived from bees pollinating ogbono trees, scientifically known as “Irvingia Gabonensis.”
Bee experts emphasize the various end products, including honey, beeswax, bee pollen, and royal jelly, which can serve multiple purposes such as food, sealants, lubricants, medications, and construction materials.
With established offtakers for all bee-related products, participants are assured of revenue and income, making the program a promising avenue for economic empowerment.
