Private sector urged to open Kelulut laboratories: Ahmad Shabery

KEMAMAN: The private sector has been urged to open Kelulut (stingless bee) honey laboratories or processing centres, producing quality honey that is capable of generating profit.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) had the best method and studies and invented machines using the latest technology to help those who are interested.
"Mardi will play its role as some of the machines had been invented by Mardi and cannot be bought directly. These machines are priced between RM10,000 and RM200,000.
"I also encourage that these machines be developed by the private sector also to expand its usage. If only Mardi manages them (the machines), it may result in lack of manpower and delay entrepreneurs in securing processed honey," he said at a press conference after launching the kelulut honey processing laboratory in Kemaman today.
The laboratory that was developed for the first time offered services such as the drying of honey, packaging and quality analysis of the honey.
The setting up of the laboratories incurred a cost of RM172,000, including the purchase of various equipment and has a processing capacity of 50 kg (140 bottles) a day.
Ahmad Shabery said in the excitement to promote the kelulut industry, entrepreneurs need to emphasise on its quality, avoiding consumers from being cheated while ensuring the industry's sustainability.
He said, as of March 2017, there were 150 entrepreneurs registered with the state Agriculture Department, while 80 were under the Terengganu Kelulut Beekeepers Association (Pelekat).
"Mardi will continue to help the people. At the initial stage, Mardi will charge only RM5/kg of the kelulut honey that is to be processed. Following the two-month discount, Mardi will charge RM10/kg.
"Entrepreneurs can take home the honey and do their own packaging. However, if they want Mardi to do the whole process, the honey can be directly sold to Mardi and it will be assessed to determine its price, before it is marketed according to the standard set," Ahmad Shabery said. — Bernama