The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bee Keepers Association has received a grant of just over EC $55,000 from the Australian Direct Aid Programme.

The funds are to be used to implement a sustainable development programme which is aimed at increasing the stock of local bees.

According to an Apiary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Allan Williams, the project is aimed at enhancing food security, and improving the capacity of local Bee Keepers.

Meanwhile Public Relations Officer of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bee Keepers Association, former Chief Agricultural Officer, Philmore Isaacs, said the association is grateful to the Australian people for the assistance.

The Bee Keepers Association was established in April 2006, after local Bee Keepers suffered 100% losses of their domestic colonies due to pests.

It has since been successful in revitalizing the local Bee Keeping Industry.