By Rozita Alias@Abdul Latiff, Corporate Communications Office

The stingless bee industry is set for a new boost when Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and the International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) worked together to co-organize the 3rd International Stingless Bee Conference and Workshop 2025, a two-day event held on 4 — 5 October at Permai Hotel, Kuala Terengganu.

With the theme “Stingless Bee Industry: Towards Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability,” the event brought together more than 200 participants, including academics, industry players, beekeepers, researchers, students, and representatives from various government and private agencies, both local and international.

The conference represented a continued effort to advance the stingless bee industry toward holistic sustainable development encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It aimed to provide a knowledge- and experience-sharing platform to strengthen Malaysia’s stingless bee industry while formulating strategic action plans for a more competitive and sustainable industry.

Throughout the two-day event, participants attended paper presentations by experts from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Among the organizations that shared their expertise were the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Department of Agriculture Malaysia, Boustead Plantations Berhad, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

A key attraction of the conference was the “Stingless Bees Challenge,” an innovation and invention competition featuring three main categories — Invention, Innovation, and Design — open to students and researchers. The program is expected to foster an innovation-driven culture and strengthen collaborative networks between higher learning institutions and industry players.

An exhibition space was also set up to allow agencies, companies, and entrepreneurs to showcase products and services related to the stingless bee industry to participants and visitors.

Participants also took part in a post-conference technical visit to key locations, including the Indo-Malayan Stingless Bee Repository Centre, the Rubber Research Centre at UMT Bukit Kor Campus, and a community-based stingless bee project in Kampung Menerong, Ajil, Hulu Terengganu. The visit provided participants with direct exposure to integrated stingless bee farm management and community-based beekeeping models.

In his officiating address, Dato’ Luqman bin Ahmad, Deputy Secretary-General (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said Ministry views the stingless bee industry as a high-potential sector and is committed to supporting its growth through research and innovation, training and capacity building, product quality enhancement, and fostering collaboration between communities, industries, and international partners.

Professor Dr. Mohd Salmi Mohd Sohod, Chairman of the UMT Board of Directors, said the stingless bee industry has a significant impact on the country’s socio-economic development and eco-tourism. Stingless bees remain vital guardians of forest pollination biodiversity, supporting agriculture and ensuring ecosystem resilience for future generations.

“By integrating the three pillars of economy, society, and environment, we are not only protecting stingless bees but also ensuring that their benefits reach the people, the industry, and nature in a balanced and sustainable manner,” he said.