By Lanre Omotosho
As the World commemorates Bee Day, youths across Nigeria have been enjoined to explore various value chains involved in the bee business.
A lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Professor Raphael Omolehin gave the advice to commemorate the Day with the theme “Bee Engaged With Youth”.
Professor Omolehin who frowned at importation of honey bee into the country, charged Nigerian youths to bridge the gap.
The agricultural-economist emphasized that rearing bee required little capital with huge returns on investment, hence youths should embrace it.
He explained that engagement of young people in bee-keeping as new generation of environmental leaders would improve quality agriculture that would be benefitial to both human population and the ecosystem.
The Don identified honey, pollen, propolis, bee bread, royal jelly and wax among the by-products that could be derived from rearing bees which are useful for domestic, industrial and pharmaceutical companies.
The lecturer stressed that bee as pollinator is significant to food production and human existence, hence the need to desist from destroying them with fire and harmful chemicals.
United Nations General Assembly had in 2017 declared May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.
