World Bee Day 2026: Dr Boolell calls for stronger beekeeping sector and quality honey production

Mauritius has the potential to position its honey among the best in the world through quality production, innovation and stronger collaboration among beekeepers, said the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, this morning at the celebration of World Bee Day 2026 held in Réduit.

Organised by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries under the theme ‘Bee Together for People and the Planet – A Partnership That Sustains Us All’, the event was attended by the Junior Minister, Mr Gilles Fabrice David; the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Lisa Simrique Singh; the Assistant Director of the Crop Sector at Agricultural Services, Dr Preeaduth Sookar; as well as other personalities.

The event was followed by the handing over of agreements to beneficiaries under beekeeping support schemes, the distribution of potted vegetable plants to students of Ebène State Secondary School, and the presentation of gift packs to outstanding beekeeping practitioners.

In his address, Minister Boolell emphasised that Mauritius produces nearly 40 tonnes of honey annually and underscored the importance of prioritising quality over quantity. Highlighting the unique characteristics of Mauritian honey, he stressed the need for improved marketing strategies to better promote the product on the international market. The Minister also called on beekeepers to work collectively, strengthen collaboration within the sector and make optimal use of available support, technology and access to information to further enhance honey production.

Dr Boolell further pointed out that climate change continues to pose significant challenges for Small Island Developing States such as Mauritius, making innovation, research and science essential for the sustainable development of the beekeeping industry. He also appealed to the younger generation to embrace the sector, describing beekeeping as ‘a livelihood and a lifeline’, while encouraging all stakeholders to unite and contribute towards building a stronger and more sustainable honey industry in Mauritius.

For his part, Junior Minister David spoke about the essential contribution of bees to agriculture, noting that pollination directly enables the production of fruits, vegetables and seeds. He stressed that a substantial proportion of global food supply depends on this natural process, making the protection of pollinators a key requirement for agricultural sustainability.

Speaking on the development of the apiculture sector, the Junior Minister observed that the number of registered beekeepers increased from 659 in 2025 to 1,028 this year, while honey production rose from 35 to 40 tonnes over the same period. He noted, however, that domestic output remains insufficient to satisfy national demand, resulting in continued reliance on imports. To address these challenges, he announced measures including the expansion of bee-rearing zones, the planting of nectar-producing flora and the reinforcement of national capacity in queen bee breeding.

As for Ms Singh, she stressed that bees should be understood as a key indicator of ecosystem health, reflecting the overall condition of biodiversity and natural habitats. She reaffirmed the UNs’ commitment to working with Mauritius on biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture, noting that safeguarding pollinators is essential to maintaining ecological stability and ensuring long-term environmental resilience

20 May 2026

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Topics: Agriculture