A professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Professor Raphael Omolehin has enjoined youths across Nigeria to explore various value chains involved in the bee business.
The don gave the advice as the World commemorates Bee Day, with the theme “Bee Engaged With Youth”.
Professor Omolehin, who frowned at the importation of honey bees into the country, charged Nigerian youths to bridge the gap.
The agricultural-economist emphasized that rearing bees required little capital with huge returns on investment, hence youth should embrace such.
He explained that the engagement of young people in beekeeping as a new generation of environmental leaders would improve quality agriculture that would be beneficial to both human populations and the ecosystem.
The don identified honey, pollen, propolis, bee bread, royal jelly and wax among the by-products that could be derived from rearing bees which are useful for domestic, industrial and pharmaceutical companies.
Professor Raphael Omolehin stressed that bees as pollinators are significant to food production and human existence, hence the need to desist from destroying them with fire and harmful chemicals.
The United Nations General Assembly had in 2017 declared May 20 as World Bee Day to raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.