KUCHING: Sarawak’s honey bee and stingless bee (kelulut) entrepreneurs or organisations are urged to apply for the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practice (myGAP) Certification Scheme on Honey Bee and Stingless Bee Breeding – myGAP.AM.
The push came from Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in his speech read by Assistant Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn at the launching ceremony of the state-level myGAP.AM certification scheme held at Pullman Hotel here on Thursday (Oct 8).
“The certificate is awarded to bee/kelulut farms that practice good agricultural practices in accordance to standards set.
“This is important to ensure food security and the quality of products produced met the international standards before being exported to foreign markets.”
With the certification scheme, entrepreneurs and organisations venturing into the field would be recognised to have practiced good agricultural practices in ensuring that the products produced are of good quality such as honey, honeycomb bread, propolis and beeswax.
The production of quality honey products that are safe to eat can increase the marketability of the products of bees/kelulut in domestic or export. This will eventually empower the farming industry of bees and kelulut in the state.
There are four principles for the certification which are; food security, quality products, environmental conservation as well as workers’ safety and welfare.
Eligible entrepreneurs and organisations can apply for the scheme free-of-charge.
Among the conditions of the application are; the bee/kelulut breeding must be carried out on land that is legally valid; has a site plan for bee/kelulut breeding; and the bee/kelulut operators must have at least 10 active hives.
Applications for the myGAP.AM certification can be made through the nearest Divisional Agriculture Office and the District Agriculture Office by using the bee/kelulut farm address.
The certification will go through several processes including application, audit and sampling. Prior to obtaining the certificate, every applicant must pass the site inspection, sample analysis and farm practice inspection.
The certification will be valid for the period of two years and it can be renewed after expiry date.
Eligible applicants are urged to apply for the certification scheme in order to reap the benefits of receiving guidance by officers under the scheme.
