United Nations Development Programme signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL). The MoU formalizes the partnership between the two for support and promotion of bee honey production in the Uva province. The Memorandum identifies the areas of cooperation and assigns roles and responsibilities for each party.

The project conducted by UNDP ART GOLD programme and CBL, on an equal equity basis, aims to improve the production of honey in the Uva province. Bee-keeping has, traditionally, been a popular livelihood initiative in the province but in the recent past lack of proper support services led to a partial collapse of the industry. UNDP in cooperation with CBL is trying to revive bee-keeping through a number of activities including training bee keepers and providing them with technical know-how and other inputs.

Aruna Lokupothagamage, Manager Special projects CBL and a bee-keeper himself, said that CBL had been engaged in discussions with the Department of Agriculture and was involved in efforts to revive the bee industry in the province. It was an uphill task but with the recent partnership with UNDP he is hopeful that things would improve.

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will be conducted in partnership with CBL and the Department of Agriculture and will focus on 150 farmers in the Badulla District. Based on the success of the pilot initiative, the project will be expanded to the Monaragala District in the next phase.