HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Rome, Italy or Virtually from your home or work.
HYBRID EVENT
September 16-18, 2024 | Rome, Italy
FAT 2018

Grace A Asiko

Grace A Asiko, Speaker at Food Technology Conferences
National Beekeeping Institute, Kenya
Title : Tapping on bee resource for food and nutrition security

Abstract:

Bees, both stingless and honeybees, are important pollinators to a wide range of crops and fruits, thus enhancing food productivity in terms of quantity and quality (Connor, 1970; Crane, 1985; Roubik, 1995 and Bradbear, 2009). The value of honey bee pollination to crop yields reveal $US 238.9 billion worldwide (Gallai et al., 2009). The honey from the bee is an important aspect of food security through direct consumption or indirect: in pastry, savory, salad and tonic. Most hive products are high value food supplements, complementing health and beauty, thus supporting the notion, ‘good nutrition, healthy body; good health, sound mind.’ The bee is indeed an icon of food and nutrition security, leading to healthy individuals. Beekeeping may be integrated into farming systems for food and natural resource sustainability as stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals and in the Vision 2030 of the Kenyan Government Agenda.

Biography:

Grace Adala Asiko has a PhD Degree in Agricultural Entomology, obtained from the University of Nairobi, in 2012. She too has a Masters in Tropical Bees and Beekeeping in Tropical Climates, from Utrecht University, Netherlands, Awarded in 2004. Prior to that, Dr. Asiko had studied Botany, Zoology and Geography, at the University of Nairobi for her Bachelor of Science Degree. Dr. Asiko was employed by the Ministry of Agriculture, State Department of Livestock, and rose through the ranks to Deputy Director of Livestock Production. She is the current Head of the National Beekeeping Institute, Nairobi-Kenya, whose mandate include: Policy formulation, research and training in all aspects pertaining to beekeeping industry. She has authored and co-authored many scientific publications on beekeeping and the Agricultural sector at large. Most striking is the “Utumishi Bora Award,” which was presented to her in 2017, by Kenya Professional Christian Forum, for work excellence, research and documentation, particularly in the area of stingless bee research. She has participated in several national and international seminars and conferences and is interested in professional presentations. She progressively positioned herself on the executive and technical advisory committees of re-knowned professional bodies/programs, with great zeal and commitment. She is contemplating teaching at the University, on part-time basis, as her drive is on mentoring.

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