Achievements of the honey production sector thanks to US-supported LIVCD

The Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development USAID organized a press conference yesterday to highlight the achievements of the honey production sector in Lebanon. The event was held at the Lebanese University headquarters in Beirut in the presence of US Ambassador David Hale, the Lebanese Agriculture Minister Akram Chehayeb and a number of stakeholders involved in the beekeeping industry. According to As Safir newspaper, the outcomes of the project during the past two years showed an increase of 52% in the size of exports, which rose form 26 tons to 50 tons in 2014. With the start of the project in 2013, the number of beekeepers jumped by 794 (14%) accompanied with an upsurge in the value of honey production and processing estimated at USD 11 million annually. The newspaper pointed out that the program has modernized the practices of some 1728 local beekeepers in more than 70 villages across the country through providing them with equipment, innovative technology, training and technical assistance. Beneficiaries also profited from the 5% reduction in production cost and a rise in the value of sales. Over and above, the program assisted some 642 beekeepers in increasing their production though investments made in 3825 beehives in various towns and villages in the South, North, Bekaa and Mount Lebanon. Since its beginning LIVCD is estimated to have invested about USD 1.1 million in the beekeeping sector leading to remarkable results as such: 794 new beekeepers, 79870 new beehives and an additional 560 tons of honey with an estimated value of USD 11 million. One beekeeper, Hussin Kadmani, urged public officials to address the basic demands of beehive keepers by providing pest control drugs and transforming the pilot queen breeding units established by USAID into permanent centers. (As Safir, 23 July 2015)