The capital’s Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) turned into a hub of awareness and collaboration as researchers, farmers, producers, traders, and consumers came together for the Fifth National Beekeeping and Honey Conference. The event featured exhibitions of various types of honey, discussions on scientific beekeeping methods, seminars, and networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs and consumers united to spotlight the promising potential of the honey industry in Bangladesh’s agritech sector.
The event honored eight individuals for their contributions to beekeeping and honey research. The honorees included Professor Dr. Ahsanul Haque Swapon from the Department of Entomology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University; Dr. Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain from the Department of Entomology at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; former BSCIC project director Khondakar Aminuzzaman; retired BSCIC General Manager Md. Ali Ashraf Khan; Jagadish Chandra Saha; veteran beekeepers Md. Ayub Ali Gazi from Satkhira and Md. Chan Mia Sarkar from Sirajganj; and Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer from Tangail. The awards were presented during the daylong event held on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Organized by the Honey and Beekeeping Alliance, the event’s chief patron, officials from Ghorer Bazar, highlighted the growing demand and market potential for honey in Bangladesh. According to their representatives, the annual honey market value in Bangladesh is estimated at BDT 1,200–1,500 crore. In 2024, approximately 20,000–25,000 metric tons of honey were harvested, with 90–95% of it coming from cultivated sources, while the remainder was collected from natural sources. While honey exports are rising, advanced processing and collection systems are still limited in the country. Efforts are underway by several entrepreneurs to address these gaps.
The central conference was inaugurated by Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests under the Ministry of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change. Other notable attendees included Dr. Kabir Uddin Ahmed, Director General of the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), and Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, Safe Food Officer of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority in Khulna.
Jamshed Mojumder, Managing Director of Ghorer Bazar, stated, “The goal of this conference is to bring together honey researchers, traders, entrepreneurs, farmers, and beekeepers from across the country to discuss the current state, challenges, and future prospects of the honey industry in Bangladesh. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire the development of the honey industry and highlight its potential in both local and global markets.”
Md. Nazmus Saqib, Director and CEO of Ghorer Bazar, expressed optimism, saying, “Like ready-made garments and fisheries, honey will secure its place among Bangladesh’s top export products, brightening the country’s position in global markets.”
Prominent honey researcher Syed Md. Moinul Anwar and the convener of the Honey and Beekeeping Alliance, Md. Ebadullah Afzal, also spoke at the event. Anwar remarked, “I hope the Honey and Beekeeping Alliance strengthens the position of honey in our country. We still lack robust systems to identify whether honey is pure or adulterated. Much work remains to be done in this area.”
Afzal elaborated on the alliance’s mission, stating, “The Honey and Beekeeping Alliance was established with a firm commitment to creating a collaborative environment where all stakeholders—beekeepers, farmers, traders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and consumers—can work together. Sharing research and accurate information about honey and promoting awareness nationwide are among our key objectives.”
Since its inception, the alliance has organized various exhibitions, seminars, honey fairs, and honey tourism initiatives, particularly in the Sundarbans, to enhance awareness and address misconceptions about honey. The alliance currently boasts over 26,000 members.
