THE Guyana Food Safety Authority (GFSA), in partnership with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), reaffirmed its commitment to promoting food safety and quality in honey production as it hosted the Ministry of Agriculture’s annual Honey Fest on Friday at the GLDA compound, Mon Repos.
The event brought together beekeepers, agricultural officers, and food safety specialists to celebrate Guyana’s growing honey industry while reinforcing the importance of applying strict food safety principles throughout every stage of the honey value chain.
HONEY: NATURE’S PUREST FOOD, PROTECTED BY SAFE PRACTICES
Head of the GFSA and Chief Plant Protection Officer at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Brian Sears, described honey as one of nature’s purest and most valuable foods, stressing that its safety and quality depend on how it is produced, handled, and processed.

“Principles such as good manufacturing practices — applying safe handling, storage, and processing techniques to prevent adulteration and spoilage — are critical,” Sears explained.
“Another core value is registration and traceability, keeping proper records from hive to harvest so every batch of honey can be tracked to its origin.”
He also highlighted the importance of proper labelling and standards compliance, ensuring that honey sold locally and internationally meets both national and global standards with accurate and transparent information for consumers.
“When these principles are applied consistently, we not only protect public health but also build consumer confidence and strengthen Guyana’s position on the world market,” he noted.
Sears commended local beekeepers as “guardians of this golden treasure,” acknowledging their dedication to environmental stewardship and safe practices. He urged them to keep farm diaries, adopt hygienic harvesting methods, and pursue continuous training to meet evolving food safety requirements.
“Every bottle of honey represents your reputation, your brand, your country’s image. Food safety is an essential part of beekeeping knowledge,” he added.
Delivering remarks at the event, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vickash Ramkissoon, reaffirmed government’s support for expanding the honey industry as part of its wider agenda to diversify agricultural production and strengthen food systems.
“A value chain assessment conducted by the FAO has confirmed what many of us have long known — Guyana’s honey sector is emerging with strength,” the Minister stated. “We are poised to transform this value chain into a national success story.”
He noted that local demand for honey continues to rise as consumers seek healthier alternatives to sugar, while export markets — including Barbados, Saint Kitts, and the United States — are showing growing interest in Guyanese honey.
The Minister emphasised that the Ministry, in collaboration with the GLDA and GFSA, is providing tools, training, and resources to support both new and established beekeepers. These include technical training in beekeeping, bee colonies, protective equipment, and essential hive tools, ensuring that participants have the practical skills and resources needed to thrive in the sector.
EMPOWERING YOUTH AND WOMEN IN BEEKEEPING
Minister Ramkissoon also encouraged youth and women to participate in beekeeping, noting that the government is exploring financing mechanisms to help small farmers expand their operations.
“By reducing production costs, improving packaging and branding, and expanding our production base, we can substitute imports and capture new markets,” he said. “Let us position Guyanese honey not just as a product, but as a premium, high-quality brand.”
The 2025 Honey Fest served as both a celebration and a call to action — uniting government agencies, beekeepers, and private stakeholders around a shared goal: to ensure that every drop of Guyanese honey reflects quality, sustainability, and national pride.
Through strong collaboration, adherence to safety standards, and continuous training, Guyana’s honey industry is well on its way to becoming a model of sustainable agri-business and export excellence.