In the world at large, Agriculture is one of the (should be) broadest Sectors of any the Economy, Just like the Information Technology field as it is in this Intelligence Age. Most third world(developing) Nations don't have enough resources to develop most of their sectors including Agriculture, but Nigeria, my country has something most of these countries do not have which is crude oil- Magic Money!
But our over reliance on Fossil fuel as the only major source of revenue now is costing us a huge foreign debts which keeps growing by months. Before now, about three decades back, Agriculture as one of our major Revenue as a country, although Bee farming is not one of those sectors that was very popular and heavily invested in. Till now, it's still one of Agriculture sector that remains undervalued in Nigeria, one of the commercial central of Africa.
Coincidentally, Honey can form an essential components of diet without any sides effects which makes it a highly sort for commodity globally. But Bee Farming otherwise known as Apiculture is not yet fully invested in to gain maximum returns. The Economic prospectus of the Apiculture industry is very high as Global yearly production of raw honey is on the average of 1.4 Million Tonnes valued in the Global Market at $5,000 per metric Ton. This is equivalent to $7 Billion or 1.120 Trillion plus in Naira totally.
Total Global value of Apiculture industry stands at $230 Billion( About 40 Trillion Naira)...David Musa; Committee member & Technical Expert, Inter-Ministerial committee on Honey production, Bee Health and Pollination Services Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
A jar of Unadulterated Honey in the Giant West Africa Country ranges from 7000 Naira (about $16) to 20000 Naira(about $45) per liter. One very key set backs to Local Apiculture Farmers is their lack of exposure to the Advancement in the Trade. Preservation, packaging, marketing are challenges that marred a larger scale production and supply of Honey among domestic farmers.
With a favourable Tropical Climate, Nigeria stands at an advantage to thrive in Animals production and food producing insect rearing. Annual production of 0.2 to 0.4 Million Tonnes of raw honey could be achieved if properly funded and managed by either Government or Private investors on a large scale.
For too long, there have been a long over reliance on Crude oil to sustain the Economy of the Nation and other sectors had been neglected or poorly funded. Now that Crude oil price is failing by year, countries like Nigeria might suffer much. The Government is overly relied upon, and clearly this political systems have other bites to chew and they slightly or never pay attention to more revenue generating ventures to foster the economy; which relatively creates more job opportunities for the masses.
If only these busy Governments agencies could optimise the Honey Production systems and stimulate huge Capital into the Apiculture Farming; not just Oil and Gas, Bee farmers would be adequately equipped and they have a chance to better Techniques which in turn brings improvement to Agriculture in Nigeria's Honey Bee production.
Reviving Agriculture generally needs a devotion, not just Cocoa, Palm Oil and Rubber but all aspect of Agriculture to salvage Nigeria's dwindling economy from Collapsing Totally. When the large Crude oil Deposit finally runs dry, what do we fall back on as a country? Absolutely Nothing!
While so many Africans are pessimistic this plans might not work, some are still keeping the Faith. As an old wise saying goes:
There is no harm in trying, not trying at all makes an individual(Country) a miserable failure!