Min Mustapha urges students to explore beekeeping opportunities

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday encouraged students to consider beekeeping as a viable agricultural enterprise, assuring them of the ministry’s support through training and the provision of essential equipment.

The minister made the remarks while presenting prizes to students from several secondary schools who excelled in the cooking competition during the recently concluded Honey Fest 2026.

Minister Mustapha commended the students for their creativity and participation, noting that such initiatives expose young people to the various opportunities available within the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the continued development of Guyana’s apiculture industry, including the significant increase in honey production over the past six years and the growing demand for honey and honey-based products locally and regionally.

The minister encouraged students interested in entering the industry to take advantage of the ministry’s support, which includes training, beekeeping suits and hive boxes.

Queen’s College emerged as the overall winner of the competition, receiving a refrigerator, while Buxton Practical Instruction Centre placed second and received a gas stove.

Christ Church Secondary secured third place and was awarded a microwave, while St Joseph High School and Golden Grove Secondary placed fourth and fifth, respectively, receiving food processors.

In the individual cooking categories, Christ Church Secondary won best appetiser, while Queen’s College secured both best main course and best dessert.

Two young beekeepers from Sandvoort Village, Oris Sinclair Jr and Aiden Hope, were also recognised as the youngest apiculturists. Each received 10 beehive boxes, a complete beekeeping suit and a smoker to support the expansion of their operations.

Additionally, three recent graduates of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) received inputs to expand their honey production operations.