THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has resumed honey production and collected an initial two gallons, from bees being kept at the Army’s Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, farm.

Lance Corporal Sheldon Lyle with some of the bottled honey

The insects are currently being housed in 12 apiaries amidst abundant flowers which facilitate shorter travel for them.

So far, the project targets consumption within the GDF but future surplus would be put on the market, said Officer Commanding the Agriculture Corps, Captain James Fraser.

He said the produce has been bottled and contains no additives or preservatives.

Fraser said investment in the project was costly but maintenance requires limited supervision.

Some of the apiaries in which the bees are reared

He disclosed that the hives were purchased about the middle of last year and, since then, Lance Corporal Sheldon Lyle is in charge of them.

Lyle said the bee keeping only becomes risky at harvest time but he wears protective gear at all times.

He explained that the hives are smoked to calm the bees before the honey is extracted.

According to him, the benefits of producing organic honey is in line with the GDF policy of ensuring fit and physically capable ranks and programmed weight management.
Lyle said honey provides essential minerals and vitamins.