Bangladesh Institute of Apiculture

Bangladesh Institute of Apiculture (BIA) a non-government research organisation established in Dhaka in 1981 with the objective of conducting studies on bee-keeping. The Institute is equipped with the technical know-how required in beekeeping and provides training to people interested in apiculture and/or its organisation in rural areas of Bangladesh. It also provides necessary extension services to beekeepers. In addition, the activities of BIA cover development of marketing outlets for honey produced by beekeepers and processing of honey to ensure its quality, purity and taste. BIA produces quality bee boxes, honey extractors, queengates, CF sheets and some other auxiliary bee-keeping equipment for supply to beekeepers.

The Institute is a member of the Asian Apicultural Association, Tokyo; International Bee Research Association, London and also organisations like the Association of Development Agencies, Bangladesh; Credit and Development Forum, Dhaka and the NGO Forum Dhaka. BIA works with a regular staff of 20 persons and with assistance from about 90 volunteers. It is run by an Executive Council consisting of 11 members representing various groups of people including teachers, businessmen, social workers, and apiculturists. It also has a 7 member Advisory Council to guide it in its activities in research, training, extension and marketing promotion. The Director is the chief executive. Since its establishment in 1999, BIA has extended and promoted bee-keeping activities in 24 upazilas of 7 districts through 5 research and demonstration Centres. The number of beekeepers produced by BIA stood at 2282 in 1999 and the institute provided technical and management training to about 76% of them. [Md Nurul Islam]