A PROFESSOR of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Prof. Rapheal Omolehin, has advised Nigerian youths to engage in bee-keeping business.
Omolehin gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Oye-Ekiti in commemoration World Bee Day, under the theme: ‘Bee Engaged With Youth.’
The agricultural-economist, who is currently a lecturer at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, frowned at the importation of honey by Nigerians.
He urged both federal and state governments to empower youths to venture into bee-keeping business to create employment and improve quality of agriculture that would be beneficial to human population and ecosystem.
“Rearing bees requires a little capital with huge returns on investment; I want to urge our youths to embrace the business.
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“Engaging our young in bee-keeping as new generation of environmental leaders would improve quality agriculture that would be beneficial to both human population and the ecosystem,” he said.
The don identified honey, pollen, propolis, bee bread, royal jelly and wax among others as the by-products that could be derived from rearing bees which were useful for domestic, industrial and pharmaceutical companies.
The lecturer said bee as pollinator was significant to food production and human existence, urging farmers and individuals to desist from destroying them with fire and harmful chemicals.
The 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. (NAN)
