‘Bee Breeding’ course participants who successfully completed the course received their certificates.

The protocol signed by the İnegöl Municipality, the Honey Producers Union of Bursa and Districts, and the Beekeeping Development, Application and Research Center of Uludağ University regarding the “Development of Bees and Bee Products and Increasing Production in İnegöl and Its Villages” led to the successful completion of the Queen Bee Breeding course, where 26 participants received their certificates in a ceremony.

İnegöl Municipality continues to take steps towards the development of the beekeeping sector in a city that has a rich flora and where 49% of the area is covered by forests. In this context, a protocol was signed in March with the Honey Producers Union of Bursa and Districts and Uludağ University Beekeeping Development, Application and Research Center for the “Development of Bees and Bee Products and Increasing Production in İnegöl and Its Villages.” In April, training sessions began within the framework of this protocol.

26 beekeepers qualified to receive certificates

The Queen Bee Breeding course concluded with a conference held on Tuesday evening. Among the 32 beekeepers who applied for the training, 26 qualified to receive certificates based on the courses that ended with a conference by Prof. Dr. İbrahim Çakmak. Following the conference, a certificate ceremony was also held. The Queen Bee Breeding conference and certificate ceremony were attended by İnegöl Mayor Alper Taban, council members and AK Party officials, İnegöl District Agricultural Director Kamil Oruç, President of the Bursa Honey Producers Union Şenol Yoğurtçu, President of İnegöl Agricultural Chamber Sezai Çelik, and beekeepers.

“We are a strong agricultural city”

The program began with welcoming speeches before the conference, where Şenol Yoğurtçu, President of the Bursa Honey Producers Union, and Sezai Çelik, President of the İnegöl Agricultural Chamber, made evaluations on current issues. Then, Mayor Alper Taban took the podium to give a speech. Taban stated, “I find the work we are doing and the program we are implementing very meaningful. We produce furniture in our city, there is textile production on one side, and we are a strong industrial city. On the other hand, we are actually a strong agricultural city as well. In this field, we want to reach our resources to our farmers and producers engaged in livestock through our Directorate of Neighborhood Affairs in the most accurate way. This can sometimes be information, sometimes it may be equipment procurement, or it can be seed and sapling support. Ultimately, we want to provide the right support at the right place and time. On this occasion, I want to thank everyone engaged in agriculture, livestock, and beekeeping. Yes, there are difficulties, as in every sector. Producing is very laborious and challenging. We, as local governments, are trying to remove the obstacles in front of you. Let us try to solve everything that can be done with our strength, every step that can be taken. We should also try to be pioneers in matters concerning our government.”

Continuing his speech with the words, “We want our city to develop in every area where it exists,” Mayor Taban added, “Beekeeping and honey production are among these. We have this opportunity. At the same time, we want our people to access healthy food. You, our producers, are providing this. We want you to also gain profit in return for this. In this vein, this protocol was made, and trainings were organized. 26 individuals successfully completed the course and qualified to receive certificates. I thank everyone who participated and congratulate those who received certificates. Just as we have done until today, we will continue to strive to do our best in the future.”

After the speech, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Çakmak provided explanations about queen bee breeding. The program concluded with the presentation of certificates.