Islamabad, May 23, 2026: The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established Pakistan’s first modern beeswax foundation sheet production unit at the Honey Bee Research Institute (HBRI) of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), operating under the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
The newly inaugurated facility is being described as a major step toward modernizing Pakistan’s beekeeping sector, where traditional manual production methods are still commonly used. Officials noted that conventional techniques often produce non-standard and unhygienic wax foundations, reducing honey production efficiency and increasing disease risks within bee colonies.
According to the press release, the new unit — built with Turkish technology — has the capacity to produce 450 wax foundation sheets per hour, making it the first modern facility of its kind in Pakistan.
The project aims to provide beekeepers with hygienic, standardized, and high-quality wax foundations to improve productivity, reduce disease risks, and lower production costs.
Officials said the initiative also facilitated the transfer of Türkiye’s technical expertise and modern beekeeping technology to Pakistan. Following the successful introduction of Turkish-style beehives in previous years, the modern Turkish-type wax foundation production system has now been introduced to further strengthen the country’s beekeeping industry.
Since 2017, TİKA and HBRI-NARC have been collaborating through training programmes, technology transfer projects, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving Pakistan’s beekeeping ecosystem.
The project also highlights the broader importance of bees beyond honey production, particularly their role in agricultural productivity, biodiversity, pollination, and environmental sustainability.
Officials expressed hope that the initiative would contribute positively to sustainable rural development across Pakistan.
On the occasion of World Bee Day, observed annually on May 20, TİKA also released a short documentary film showcasing the project and ongoing cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan in the field of beekeeping.
