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UMT PRODUCES STNGLESS BEE ENTREPRENEURS IN SETIU

UMT PRODUCES STNGLESS BEE ENTREPRENEURS IN SETIU

Tuesday, 02/08/2022

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Setiu, Terengganu 2 August 2022 – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has implemented another stingless bee farming project at Kampung Pengkalan Gelap, Setiu, as part of the university’s impactful knowledge transfer to the community programmes.

The project, funded by UMT translational grant, started with the placement of 15 stingless beehives at a site called Taman Kelulut Rumah Tokki, owned by YM Tengku Azam Tengku Mat, the first participant of the project. Also known as Ayoh Ku, Tengku Azam has managed to produce 500 gm of stingless bee honey from each hive monthly. He sells the honey to local and foreign visitors who come to his place on their way to Setiu Wetland.

The project was able to be further developed when UMT bee research group led by Professor Dr. Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak succeeded in getting involvement from Pharmaniaga Bhd and in securing social innovation fund under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Presently, 20 families from the village are involved in the project, which has had 50 additional stingless beehives.

In addition to providing income to the community, the stingless bee project helps create awareness among the people regarding environmental sustainability, Vice Chancellor Professor Dato. Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said. Setiu Wetland ecosystem, with its various flora and fauna, needs to be preserved as it is a source of food for stingless bees.  

Recently, UMT has appointed Her Highness Tengku Puteri Utama Raja as the university’s Environmental Conservation Ambassador, following the endorsement from His Royal Highness Sultan and Her Royal Highness Sultanah of Terengganu.

“Involvement from Her Highness will encourage further participation among the public especially the youths in the conservation of heritage and the environment,” Professor Mazlan said.

Earlier, the bee and stingless bee research group successfully helped single mothers, the poor, students, and farmers around Besut, Kuala Nerus, and Marang districts under the Kelulutprenuer programme.

While Her Highness was in Setiu on her visit, she witnessed demonstrations from the community on the production of stingless bee honey, traditional food, stingless bee honey by-products, and traditional handicrafts.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu