Sri Lanka targets fourfold increase in honey production

By Mangala Pavitrani

Colombo, May 19 (Daily Mirror) - The Agriculture Department has launched a special programme aimed at increasing Sri Lanka’s annual honey production from 50 metric tons to 200 metric tons, Director General of Agriculture Dr. Thushara Wickramarachchi said.

Speaking at the Bee Celebration March held from Peradeniya to Sahas Uyana yesterday (18) to mark World Bee Day, Dr. Wickramarachchi said the Department plans to rapidly expand honey production through the use of modern technological methods.

He highlighted the critical role bees play in global food systems, noting that a significant portion of human nutrition depends on pollination.

“One-third of the human daily diet depends directly or indirectly on bees. About 35% of global agricultural production takes place through pollination assisted by bees,” he said.

Dr. Wickramarachchi also warned of the potential economic and food security consequences of a decline in bee populations, stating that the extinction of bees could result in global economic losses of around US$500 billion and pose a serious threat to food security worldwide.