Putrajaya: Kelulut (stingless bee) honey is increasingly recognised as a high-potential new commodity, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She stated that Malaysia’s kelulut honey production reached 145,856 kilogrammes in 2020, with a value surpassing RM21 million, showcasing the industry’s potential for growth when managed strategically.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zaliha commended Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) for introducing the kelulut honey product, Maduku Putrajaya, as part of her directive last year on downstream products. She encouraged PPj to explore obtaining halal and organic certifications for Maduku Putrajaya to access international markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Dr Zaliha also highlighted the success of 10 community farms in Putrajaya, which generated nearly RM100,000 in sales last year, with profits shared among the participating communities. She stressed the importance of leveraging the potential of community farms by fostering collaboration among farm operators, research institutions, and the private sector.

She expressed her desire for more efforts in creating downstream products that can be marketed broadly and serve as a source of income, noting that communities can take charge of these initiatives. Local authorities, such as PPj or the Federal Territories Department, can provide mentorship from those who have succeeded.

The Putrajaya Urban Agriculture and Kelulut Open Day (HTPBKP), organised by PPj, is being held over two days, targeting 1,000 visitors daily. The event aims to educate urban communities on modern agricultural techniques for sustainability and environmental conservation, promoting eco-friendly practices like organic farming.

HTPBKP also introduced the Laman Dapur and Laman Kelulut at Taman Botani Putrajaya as hubs for advancing urban agriculture and stingless bee farming in Putrajaya.