Belmopan, November 10, 2023.
On November 9, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise held a closing ceremony for the Honey By-Products Workshop hosted at the Central Farm Agro-Processing Center.
The workshop, held with the organizational support of the Cooperative Department, Sociedad Cooperativa Melitzaak of Felipe Carillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, and the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC), had the participation of 30 persons. They learned to use propolis ─ a resin-like material made by bees ─ purple maguey, and bee venom, and made mosquito repellent. The workshop concluded with participants creating a range of innovative beauty and skin care products from honey, including a honey soap infused with coconut oil.
In his remarks, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes and the participants’ enthusiasm. He noted that the workshop’s success was a testament to their collaborative spirit and commitment to enhancing the value of honey products and creating new opportunities in the honey industry. Minister Mai also acknowledged the support of the Cooperative Department, the participation of Sociedad Cooperativa Melitzaak and the sponsorship of the BMDC.
The minister distributed certificates of completion to the participants of the workshop.
The plans now are for the participants to use the training to create their own products for the Belize market and for further collaboration with the Mexican cooperative, which has been in existence for the past 20 years.
Ends
For more information, contact:
Gareth Murillo
Registrar of Cooperatives
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security
and Enterprise
822-2141
