The Agriculture Ministry is conducting a five day training on apiculture for agriculture officers in Tailevu.

During this training, all aspects of bee farming will be taught to the participants, who will later train the farmers involved in the industry.

Animal Health and Production Division’s, Tomasi Tunabuna, says capacity building is one of the priorities for them, therefore he urged participants to make good use of such training.

He says the apiculture industry has huge potential and the interest among the people is continuously increasing.

Around one thousand farmers are involved in this industry with over 10,000 bee hives producing more than 200 tonnes of honey annually.

Tunabuna says in the next financial year, there will be an increased funding for the industry where more farmers will be assisted.

Majority of farms in the Western Division and the maritime zone were largely affected during TC Winston causing a major reduction in the overall production.