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Guyana’s beekeeping industry took centre stage on October 30 as the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, opened the doors to its Third Annual Honey Fest. Held at the Ministry of Agriculture lawns in Georgetown, the all-day celebration drew more than 40 exhibitors from across the country to showcase honey and related products, with the festival opening at noon and the official programme beginning at 4 p.m.
The festival operated under the banner "Next Generation Hives: Growing Guyana Through Green Apiculture," positioning beekeeping as a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural modernization and environmental goals. According to Kaieteur News, the event aligned with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 and national digitalization objectives, emphasizing how technology and sustainable practices can improve production efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and create economic opportunities for local beekeepers.
A centrepiece of the festival was the demonstration of smart hives—innovative systems equipped with remote sensors that transmit real-time data about hive conditions directly to beekeepers’ mobile devices. This technology enables producers to monitor colony health, make timely management decisions and improve honey yields while enhancing product traceability and hive security. Exhibitors also highlighted developments in hive design, protective equipment, honey harvesting and queen rearing, while showcasing opportunities to develop value-added products from beeswax, pollen and propolis.
The festival celebrated the National Honey Production Expansion Programme, through which the Ministry of Agriculture provides training, extension services, modern equipment and access to queen-rearing facilities. The programme prioritizes strengthening technical capacity among women, young people and rural communities, with the goal of increasing production, improving product consistency and preparing local producers for regional and international markets.
Recognition of excellence came through the annual Honey Competition and Awards, which honoured achievement across ten categories including Best Innovative Product, Best Commercial Presentation, Darkest Honey, Lightest Honey and Best Honey. Additional awards recognized the beekeeper with the Highest Output Throughout the Year, Most Influential Beekeeper, New Entrant with Excellent and Persistent Performance, and Youngest Beekeeper. Youth engagement featured prominently through an Inter-School Cooking Competition involving Queen’s College, St. Joseph’s High School, Christ Church Secondary School, Buxton Practical Instruction Centre and Golden Grove Secondary School.
The day concluded with live performances by prominent Guyanese artistes and a spectacular drone display after sunset, celebrating both the current state and future potential of Guyana’s honey industry.
The Honey Fest forms part of Guyana’s Agriculture Month activities and reflects the government’s broader commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector through climate-friendly production methods and digital innovation. The festival supports efforts to help beekeepers address challenges associated with excessive heat, prolonged drought and declining floral availability while positioning apiculture as a vehicle for household income generation, forest conservation and responsible natural resource use.
This story demonstrates how a Caribbean nation is leveraging digital agriculture and green production methods to strengthen rural livelihoods and meet climate commitments. Guyana’s approach to modernizing beekeeping through smart hive technology and inclusive programmes for women, youth and rural communities offers a model relevant to other Caribbean territories seeking to build climate-resilient agricultural sectors and create economic opportunities in rural areas.
Sources and attribution
- Kaieteur News
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