aWith the support of the ACBA Federation and in collaboration with HATERQ Food Company, the first training session on INNOVATIVE BEEKEEPING BASICS for ACBA Bank client Beekeeping Enterprises was held on July 3–4, 2023 at the GREEN TRAINING CENTER in Dzoraghbyur. The event opened with introductory remarks, after which participants presented brief overviews of their enterprises and outlined their expectations from the training. Mr. Samvel Mirzakhanyan, a representative of Haterq Food, delivered a comprehensive presentation covering the specific features and future potential of Armenian beekeeping, highlighting key industry challenges, and exploring export opportunities for Armenian honey in international markets.
A hands-on demonstration followed, showcasing the design and functionality of an innovative beehive model. Mr. Mirzakhanyan emphasized its advantages and positive impact on the bee colony health, sustainability, and productivity. Participants were also introduced to best practices in selective beekeeping, queen rearing, and colony development techniques.
As part of the training, a field visit was organized to an experimental site developed in partnership with the National Agrarian University of Armenia, where participants observed the cultivation and flowering stages of the Melilotus plant as well as its honey-producing properties and potential application in the production of honey.
As an innovative direction in beekeeping, the possibility and efficiency of producing monofloral (single-flower) honey were also presented. Using theexample of Melilotus, trainers presented compelling arguments for the commercial production and marketing of single-flower honey varieties, based on their expertise.
Marketing strategies were also addressed during the session. Ms. Ruzan Bazinyan, the Marketing Specialist at Haterq Food, underlined the importance of branding and promotional activities to improve sales effectiveness. The training concluded with an engaging discussion on the prospects of honey export, particularly to Arab countries, and emphasized the need for collaboration among beekeepers to enhance competitiveness and access new markets.
