ISLAMABAD, October 6, 2026: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has inaugurated Pakistan’s first high-tech automated beeswax foundation sheet manufacturing unit at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad.
The modern facility has been established at the Honey Bee Research Institute with the aim of modernising the beekeeping sector, promoting local production of quality beeswax foundation sheets and providing beekeepers with access to modern technology.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Rana Tanveer Hussain said the establishment of the facility was an important step towards the development of beekeeping in Pakistan. He noted that honeybees play an important role not only in honey production but also in crop pollination, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening national food security.
The minister said the new automated unit would help make quality beeswax foundation sheets available to local beekeepers, which could contribute to better honey production and improved quality.
He stressed the need to take modern technology and scientific beekeeping practices to beekeepers across the country, particularly small-scale entrepreneurs and young people.
Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan has significant potential to produce different varieties of high-quality honey. To fully benefit from this potential, he said, greater attention must be given to quality standards, certification, traceability, value addition, modern packaging and effective marketing.
He also highlighted the need to introduce Pakistani honey more effectively in international markets, particularly high-value markets in Europe, Japan and North America.
Improved quality and value addition, he said, could increase honey exports while also creating better income opportunities for farmers, beekeepers and businesses linked to the sector.
The federal minister encouraged young people to consider beekeeping as a modern and growing agribusiness. He said the combination of technology, research, training and improved market access could create new employment and business opportunities for young people.
Referring to cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye, Rana Tanveer Hussain appreciated the role of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in supporting Pakistan’s agriculture and rural development sectors.
He said cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye would be further expanded in agricultural research, modern technology, beekeeping and rural development.
The minister expressed hope that the new beeswax foundation sheet manufacturing unit would help modernise Pakistan’s beekeeping industry, strengthen local production capacity and improve the competitiveness of Pakistani honey in international markets.
During the ceremony, Rana Tanveer Hussain formally inaugurated the unit and inspected its different sections. He was also briefed on the modern machinery installed at the facility and the process used to manufacture beeswax foundation sheets.
