– Minister Mustapha announces 10 beehive boxes for every registered beekeeper
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha announced that every registered beekeeper in Guyana will receive ten beehive boxes as part of the ministry’s continued efforts to expand honey production, strengthen the country’s apiculture industry, and create greater economic opportunities for producers.
The announcement was made during his feature address at Honey Fest 2026, where he outlined several initiatives aimed at modernising the industry and positioning Guyana to capitalise on growing international demand for honey and honey-based products.
With approximately 280 beekeepers currently recorded across the country, the initiative will provide producers with additional resources to expand their operations, increase production, and improve their earning potential. The Minister explained that the intervention forms part of a broader programme of support designed to develop apiculture into a more productive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural industry.
The event, held under the theme “Next Generation Hives: Growing Guyana Through Green Apiculture,” provided a platform to showcase the industry’s development and the expanding opportunities in honey production, value-added processing, and entrepreneurship.
Addressing those gathered, Minister Mustapha noted that Honey Fest has evolved beyond an exhibition of honey and honey-based products into an important platform for showcasing an industry that is creating employment, generating income, supporting rural livelihoods, and encouraging greater entrepreneurial participation, particularly among young people and women.
“Honey Fest has become more than a showcase of honey and its value-added products. It has become a showcase of an industry that is improving and supporting livelihoods, creating employment, generating revenue, and encouraging entrepreneurship,” the Minister said.
He disclosed that through the National Honey Expansion Programme, the Ministry of Agriculture has been working to strengthen production capacity and expand apiculture activities across the country.
“These interventions have contributed to a substantial increase in national honey production, from 3,745 gallons in 2022 to 38,574 gallons in 2025, representing a 53 percent increase over production recorded in 2024. The number of active beehives also increased from 1,145 to 1,983,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of the Government’s investment, Minister Mustapha disclosed that more than $241 million has been invested in developing the industry through the provision of equipment, beehive boxes, protective gear, production inputs, training, and technical support.
“That is why this Government has invested heavily in the development of the honey industry. We recognized that with the right support, this industry has the potential to grow,” Minister Mustapha stated.
Minister Mustapha also highlighted President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s emphasis on agricultural diversification and the development of non-traditional agricultural industries as part of Guyana’s broader food security and economic development agenda. He noted that the continued expansion of apiculture is consistent with this vision, particularly as the Government works to create new income-generating opportunities, support small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, and encourage greater youth participation in agriculture.
He also said Guyana possesses significant natural advantages that could position the country as a competitive producer of sustainably sourced honey. He pointed to the country’s tropical climate, extensive forests, and mangrove ecosystems, which provide favourable conditions for beekeeping throughout the year.
“Guyana is uniquely positioned to achieve this vision. Our tropical climate, vast forests, and mangrove ecosystems provide ideal conditions for safe, sustainable beekeeping year-round. While many countries struggle with environmental challenges that affect pollinators, Guyana possesses natural advantages that can make us a leader in green apiculture,” he said.
While drawing attention to the growing international demand for honey, Minister Mustapha noted that the global market is projected to increase from approximately US$9.9 billion in 2025 to US$18.3 billion by 2034, representing an estimated 85 percent growth, adding that producers have a unique opportunity to position themselves within an expanding international industry
He stressed, however, that capitalising on these opportunities would require continued improvements in production standards, product quality, and the development of the necessary infrastructure to support greater market access. As part of these efforts, the Minister disclosed that Guyana’s first Queen Rearing Facility, located at Kairuni, is expected to be commissioned later this year. The facility will support improved bee breeding programmes, strengthen colony performance, and provide beekeepers with access to better-quality queen bees, thereby contributing to increased productivity and the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Minister Mustapha further revealed that work is being advanced to establish a modern honey testing and grading laboratory to strengthen the country’s capacity to assess honey quality, support compliance with international standards, and provide greater assurance to consumers and potential export markets.
“Equally important is our commitment to building the infrastructure that will support the industry’s long-term growth,” Minister Mustapha stated.
The Minister explained that these investments are intended to establish a stronger foundation for the industry’s continued expansion while creating opportunities for value-added processing, packaging, branding, and the development of new honey-based products. He noted that the Government’s objective is not only to increase the quantity of honey produced locally but also to ensure that beekeepers can benefit from greater value along the production and marketing chain.
Minister Mustapha also underscored the important role bees play in pollination, biodiversity conservation, and supporting agricultural productivity. He noted that the expansion of sustainable apiculture offers benefits beyond honey production, contributing to healthier ecosystems, improved crop production, and the country’s wider environmental sustainability objectives.
“Guyana’s honey industry is no longer a small story. It is becoming a national story of rural development, economic opportunity, and sustainability,” the Minister said.
He encouraged beekeepers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to continue investing in the industry, adopting improved production practices, and taking advantage of the opportunities being created through the Government’s agricultural development programmes.
Between 2020 and 2026, the Government distributed 3,320 beehive boxes, 52,204 frames, 2,552 extruders, 57,140 wax sheets, and 3,053 hive stands. Apiculturists also benefited from 5,705 items, including personal protective equipment, tools, and other essential supplies. Additionally, 2,500 honey samples were tested at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) nutrition laboratory, with results provided to producers to support improvements in product quality.
