GOROKA RAW HONEY BAGS FIRST PRIZE IN HONEY COMPETITION

CAPTION: Susie Wahasoka (right) after receiving first prize certification at the Honey competition in yesterday’s World Bee Day Day celebrations in Goroka. Picture supplied by Susie Wahasoka

BY VICKY BAUNKE, in Goroka

GOROKA Raw Honey claimed first place in the honey competition during the World Bee Day celebrations held in Goroka yesterday.

Among other winners are
the Okalu Honey, the Goroka Raw honey, Apo Organic Honey and Kasam Honey.

The winning honey product is operated by Fresh Honey Distributor Limited, a local honey business run by bee farmer Ms Susie Wahasoka in Goroka for the past nine years.

Ms Wahasoka operates her bee farms at Kerefa and Kabiufa in Eastern Highlands Province and is involved in both honey production and purchasing honey from 23 local bee farmers in the area.

She said the honey industry and api-culture remained environmentally friendly despite challenges in regulation and production and encouraged greater participation of women in the bee farming industry, which she described as largely male dominated.

Apart from running her business, Ms Wahasoka emploxys six local workers at her farm and also supports community activities including sponsorship of the Kerefa Brothers Rugby League team participating in the Gahuku off-season competition.

Last year, Ms Wahasoka won second place in the honey tasting competition during the World Bee Day celebrations in Goroka before improving to claim the top prize this year.

Ms Wahasoka said bee farming continued to provide income opportunities for local farmers while also contributing positively to the environment through pollination and sustainable agricultural practices.

The competition formed part of the second World Bee Day celebrations hosted in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

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