| Azaraimy HH |
BRUNEI is known for Kelulut, or stingless bee honey, which has rich nutritional value. It is one of the village-based entrepreneurship activities that the government is striving to promote in a big way to enhance the socio-economic well being of local communities.
In a bid to promote Kelulut products, a mini carnival was officially launched by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs yesterday.
Carrying the theme ‘Start Your Day with Kelulut’, the three-day Tutong Kelulut Mini Carnival 2016 is being held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex, Pekan Tutong.
Organised by the Tutong District Office in association with the Mukim and village consultative councils, Tutong District Tourism Promotion and Coordination Body and members of the Kelulut producers’ group, the carnival is featuring a slew of Kelulut products made across the country.
The mini carnival, which began last Tuesday, is aimed to strengthen the ‘One Village, One Product’ initiative, particularly Kelulut.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, taking a closer look at the stingless bees specimen at the Tutong Kelulut Mini Carnival 2016 held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex, Pekan Tutong yesterday.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, looking at the products at the booth of the Kampong Tungku and Katok Village Consultative Council during the Tutong Kelulut Mini Carnival 2016 held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex, Pekan Tutong, yesterday.
The Minister of Home Affairs signing a parchment after launching the carnival.
Tutong District Officer Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohd Hussain delivering a welcoming speech.
Haji Mohd Aidil Sufian bin Mohd Yassin, Acting Mosque Affairs Officer, delivering a talk on health benefits of the stingless bee honey.
According to Tutong District Officer Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohd Hussain, the mini carnival gives participants the opportunity to promote their products and a chance to interact with honey producers from across the country.
“The carnival aims to encourage members of the public to be active in entrepreneurship activities that are capable of enhancing the socio-economic life of the society,” he said.
Various programmes have been scheduled to further enliven the mini carnival such as a sale-cum-exhibition of One Village, One Product from Tutong District, a colouring contest for children, challenges and games related to Kelulut, and a competition for the best booth.
Kelulut is a stingless bee, a pollination agent for plants in Brunei’s tropical forests. It is among the smallest of all the nearly 500 bee species in the world.
Stingless bee honey products from Kampong Penanjong in Tutong District.
Wooden arts and crafts on display. – PHOTOS: BAHIYAH BAKIR
“There are 22 Kelulut species recorded in Belalong, Temburong District. Each variety of the honey has its own unique taste. It (Kelulut) can be tamed and is easy to cultivate. The bee produces quality honey that has many health benefits,” the Tutong District Officer said.
Haji Mohd Yamin bin Haji Jaafar, one of the local producers participating in the festival, said the carnival is a place not only to showcase Kelulut products but to meet other local producers.
He said production of the all-natural stingless bee honey depends on season; beekeepers can produce more honey during fruit season (around 500-800ml per lock) compared to dry and rainy seasons.
Haji Mohd Yamin said he started producing stingless bee honey in 2014 as a way to spend his free time as a pensioner. He learnt beekeeping from his close friends and co-producers. As he started receiving orders from the public, he began producing Kelulut on a large scale for the market.
The launching ceremony was also attended by Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA); Haji Idris bin Haji Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoHA; and Haji Mohammad Sunadi bin Haji Buntar, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoHA.
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