Partner Tag International Development is making a buzz in Southern Shan with the Plan Bee Project, which aims to increase access to markets for vulnerable peoples through the expansion of modern beekeeping and honey production. To date, the project has:
- Raised awareness of the benefits of bees and beekeeping with 1000 community members
- Conducted beginner beekeeping training with 450 participants
- Conducted advanced beekeeping training with 50 commercial beekeepers
- Established 19 community based enterprises (CBEs)
- Extracted almost 5000 kg of honey during the honey flow season (in 2014)
On April 29th, LIFT held a Honey & Candle Sale, selling more than 50 handmade beeswax candles and 100 bottles of niger honey. The sale generated more than USD 400, which will be used to provide beekeepers with necessary equipment and fund the construction of an upcoming Beekeeping Centre in Pindaya. This educational and commercial centre will be managed by CBE members and is one of the project’s major outcomes meant to create job opportunities, increase incomes, and last for years to come. Visitors can look forward to a museum as well as a shop full of honey and bee products as well as beekeeping equipment.
The Beekeeping Centre is expected to open on July 1st, 2015. For more information on the centre or how to buy Plan Bee products in support of the project, please contact Michal Goren (Head of Operations) at michal@tagdevelopment.org or Ashley A. Yu (Community and Business Development Manager) at ashley@tagdevelopment.org. Visit the Tag website here.
If you are a LIFT partner interested in holding a sale or event at the LIFT Fund Management office, contact Ma Eint Eint Htoon at einteinth@unops.org.
