Bee Breeding Project Generates Income For Kampung Air Merah Community
By Nur Faradilla Mohamad
MERSING, Sept 25 (Bernama) – The implementation of the SejaTi MADANI Programme has had a direct impact on the economy of the Kampung Air Merah community here when the stingless bee breeding project undertaken by 13 participants from the B40 group and asnaf successfully generated sales of RM19,108 in over a year.
The RM100,000 community economic project produced 95.54 kilogrammes of kelulut honey since production began in May 2025 until August 2026, thus providing a source of side income for participants as well as contributing to the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) fund.
Kampung Air Merah village chief Muftahuddin Fakeh said 70 per cent of the sales proceeds were channelled to participants while the remaining 30 per cent was deposited into the Kampung Air Merah JPKK account for the benefit of the local community.
He said the project, which began on Dec 15, 2024, utilised 0.8 hectare vacant land on Jalan Salleh with 66 stingless bee hive stumps placed in six plots.
"Initially, I planned to do an environmental project, but after discussions with JPKK, we changed it to beekeeping based on its ability to generate income and thus empower the local economy," he told Bernama here recently.
Muftahuddin said participants and implementing committee members were also given intensive guidance through talks, visits and practical training covering site preparation, stump handling and care, maintenance, harvesting and honey marketing.
Project manager Jamilah Salleh, 51, said 66 kelulut stumps were initially purchased for RM750 each from supplier company As Dihan Enterprise from Pahang.
The retired mathematics teacher said honey is usually harvested after the honey sacs are completely closed within 21 to 30 days, with production influenced by weather conditions and the season.
“Based on the hot weather and the time of year, one plot is capable of producing up to six kg of honey or the equivalent of 30 bottles a month.
“This kelulut honey is sold at RM40 for each 200 gramme bottle, while the total production capacity is currently around 100 bottles per month," she said.
Jamilah said each plot is operated by two to three participants from the B40 group registered under eKasih, thus giving them the opportunity to be directly involved in economic activities that can generate income on a continuous basis.
She said the kelulut honey product is marketed every week at the Friday Market in addition to having regular customers, while her group plans to undergo marketing training to expand the market.
“We plan to increase the scale of production if we receive additional capital injections in the future,” she said.
She said the project also received contributions from the Agriculture Department in the form of honeycombs and protective cages.
The SejaTi MADANI programme was introduced by the government to boost community economic activities by providing funds of between RM50,000 and RM100,000 to empower the socio-economy of local residents.
– BERNAMA