Bui Van Bem's household, Yen Tan hamlet, Lac Luong commune (Yen Thuy) maintains beekeeping, earning an average income of 80 million VND per year.
In 2012, thanks to a poverty reduction project, beekeepers in Yen Tan had chances to participate in science and technology training courses. In 2014, Yen Tan beekeeping cooperative was set up.
Quach Tat Vo, Director of the Yen Tan Beekeeping Cooperative, said that at first, the cooperative had 300 bee colonies. In order to improve output and product quality, the cooperative has continuously bettered techniques and invested in machinery. To date, the cooperative has 26 members and over 800 bee colonies. Cooperative members earn an average profit of 60-80 million VND (2,550-3,403 USD) per year. Compared with other economic models in the locality, beekeeping is easy to do and less risky, and brings higher economic efficiency. The cooperative's honey products have their quality and food hygiene and safety ensured, thus creating a prestigious, quality and reliable brand favoured by customers. In the coming time, the cooperative will continue to effectively develop the model of beekeeping for honey, with focus on affirming the quality and building the Yen Tan honey brand in the market.
Vo said that Yen Tan honey has gained a firm foothold in the market. In 2021, it was recognised as a 3-star OCOP product at the provincial level. The efficiency of beekeeping has contributed to reducing the poverty rate of the hamlet. The average income per capita in 2022 reached over 39 million VND, and the poverty rate decreased to 12.78%. Currently, the cooperative not only keeps bees for honey but also pays attention to expanding production scale, modernising equipment, and promoting Yen Tan honey brand.
Beekeeping has brought changes to local people. With the direction of developing honey beekeeping into a commodity, Yen Tan beekeeping cooperative has been building a brand, contributing to improving livelihoods and generating income for local households./.