SHAH ALAM, June 9 (Bernama) -- The International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) will organize an International Stingless Bees Conference and Workshop on 18-20 JULY, 2017 at the PERMAI HOTEL, KUALA TERENGGANU, Terengganu. This international conference and workshop will be hosted by the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB), Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) and the Malaysian Agriculture Department. 

Themed “ENHANCING THE MALAYSIAN STINGLESS BEES INDUSTRY: NEW IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES”, about three hundred (300) participants, comprising of  professionals, academicians, main players of the local and international stingless bees industry, the agriculture and smallholders sectors are expected to participate. The main objectives are:

-  To improve income through rearing of stingless bees.
-  To improve methods of breeding and rearing of stingless bees.
-  To improve the harvesting techniques of stingless bees honey.
-  To improve standards in the quality and management of stingless bees products.

The three-day conference will gather local and international experts to present their papers. Among the foreign experts who have already confirmed their participation are from Brazil and Australia, while the local experts are from MARDI, Agriculture Department, Malaysia Rubber Board, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. 

The selection of Terengganu as the event venue coincides with the Visit Terengganu Year 2017, while the conference dates coincide with the mini Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism Show (MAHA) that will be held in Terengganu. At the same time, the Terengganu State Government will also brand its stingless bee honey as a super health food, in addition to the industry’s ability to increase income and alleviate poverty among the community in the state.  

Concurrent with the conference is the Stingless Bees Challenge. The poster and innovations competition aim to encourage and stimulate innovation culture among entrepreneurs, researchers and students leading to collaborations between them and the industry. A few challenge categories, namely invention, innovation and design are open for all participants. Booths for the display of products and services are also available for interested parties. A post-conference tour will be organized on the third day, where participants will visit the Indo-Malaya Stingless Bees Repository at the Sekayu Agricultural Park, and the Integrated Rubber and Stingless Bees Research Plot at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). 

The conference is expected to be officiated by the Honorable Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries.  He will also present the certificates for all the organizations and individuals who have contributed and supported this international conference. 

We invite all stingless bee hobbyists, researchers, entrepreneurs, smallholders, policy makers and everyone interested in the industry to participate in this conference. Don’t miss the chance to get the latest information on the industry. Participation and reservations can be made by completing or downloading an online form via www.iipm.com.my.

SOURCE : International Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Secretariat 
Tel : 03-5522 5531 / 34
Email : conference@iipm.com.my

Name : Najid 
Tel : 019 2822 850

Name : Ruzanna 
Tel : 012 699 0026 
Email : ruzanna@iipm.com.my

--BERNAMA