At least 3,000 working on Paktia’s neglected bee farms

Southeastern Paktia province produces 700 tons of honey annually, say officials of the Agriculture and Livestock Department.
Sahib Jamal, a beekeeper, told Pajhwok Afghan News his business — reliant on flowers — was affected a little bit by lack of water and drought.
He blamed the authorities for paying no heed to the promotion of apiculture. “We want the government to give us access to the market and thereby ensure a reasonable honey price.”
Another apiculturist, Khan Nawaz, who has around 250 boxes of bees, said most of Afghanistan’s honey was exported by different Pakistani brand names due to inattention from the Afghan government.
“We urge our government to find foreign markets for Afghanistan’s honey. This will help us end our dependence on Pakistan as our only export destination,” he remarked.
Similarly, Syed Askar complained he had no proper place for beekeeping in the winter season, affecting the production level and threatening the bee offspring in the reproduction season.
“In the winter, we are faced with food items. This year, two types of diseases have damaged all bee farms. The problem has become more acute due to non-availability of medicine,” he added.
On the other hand, honey traders grumble about the absence of processing and packaging facilities. As a result, they are forced to sell high-quality honey at low prices.
One trader named Asadullah said they imported the required equipment from Pakistan. He demanded the establishment of such a facility in Gardez, the provincial capital.
“We have original honey, but the rate is dirt-cheap because we have no facilities –not even standard packages. Given the level of honey production here, Gardez should have a processing center.”
According to Asadullah, about 15 kinds of honey are available in Paktia, with one kilogram costing between 250 Afghanis and 1,000AFN.
Agriculture and Livestock Director Walid Ahmad Tasal said about 100,000 bee boxes existed in Paktia. One box of bees produced seven kilograms of honey annually, he estimated.
Tasal acknowledged the business was paid little attention. If properly processed, the honey could be exported to other countries, the director believed, stressing the appropriate supervision of the business.
Beekeepers have now formed an association, a move that would improve the apiculture sector in the province, the official continued.
Haji Abdullah, the beekeepers’ association head, said there were 600 bee farms, with 200 boxes being kept in each farm. The business provided job opportunities for 3,000 people.
He called professional beekeeping, provision of facilities, standard production and marketing crucial to promoting apiculture. The association would strive for these facilities, he concluded.