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Apiculture Resource and Business Center (ARBC) Ltd., based in Pindaya, Myanmar, is a mission-driven social enterprise committed to empowering rural communities through sustainable beekeeping and environmentally conscious product development. Operating under the brand Plan Bee, ARBC has emerged as a pioneer in Myanmar’s apiculture sector, offering high-quality honey, beeswax-based products, and pollination services alongside technical training for smallholder farmers and youth.

Company Overview

Established in 2016, ARBC was formed with a dual mandate: to improve rural livelihoods through apiculture and to enhance biodiversity through pollinator support. With a central focus on sustainability, women’s empowerment, and eco-friendly enterprise, the organization has developed a comprehensive business model that integrates beekeeping, training, manufacturing, and marketing into one vertically coordinated system.

The organization’s impact-first approach has made it a valuable player in both Myanmar’s agricultural development initiatives and the natural food and cosmetics export landscape.

Product Portfolio

ARBC produces and markets a diversified line of honey and bee-based wellness and household products:

• Honey:

  • Multifloral Honey (wildflower sources from Shan hills)
  • Monofloral Honey (seasonally available from selected floral zones)

• Bee By-products:

  • Handmade Beeswax Candles
  • Beeswax-based Balms (natural skin care)
  • Cold-processed Beeswax Soaps (scented and unscented)

• Pollination Services:

  • Hive rental for organic and conventional farms
  • Pollination enhancement consultancy for fruit and vegetable growers

• Training Services:

  • Beekeeping training programs for rural entrepreneurs
  • Vocational training in apiculture under TVET (Technical and Vocational Education Training)

All products are marketed under the Plan Bee brand, which is widely recognized for its natural purity, ethical sourcing, and women-led production.

Specialization and Core USP

ARBC stands out through:

• Integrated Apiculture Development Model: combining production, training, and community empowerment
• Exclusive focus on sustainable beekeeping in highland ecosystems
• Support for over 300 smallholder beekeepers (as of 2023)
• Active promotion of women and youth leadership in agribusiness
• Natural, chemical-free processing of all bee products

The Plan Bee brand represents more than a product line; it encapsulates a movement for sustainable agriculture and income resilience across Myanmar.

Financial and Operational Strength

Although ARBC is not a large-scale industrial player, its financial and operational strength lies in its:

• Self-sustaining model with revenue generated from product sales and training fees
• Direct sales through local retail outlets and farmer markets
• Growing export partnerships in South Asia and Southeast Asia
• Participation in social enterprise accelerator programs and NGO-supported distribution channels

The enterprise has received support from international development agencies, including the UNDP, and has been featured in sustainability-focused SME showcases.

Market Reach and Target Customers

ARBC serves a range of customer segments, including:

• Domestic natural product consumers (local food stores, hotels, spas)
• Social enterprise supporters and fair trade buyers
• Exporters of clean-label honey and eco-cosmetics
• Organic farms and horticulture firms (for pollination services)
• Donor agencies and NGOs sourcing ethical corporate gifts

Key international interest has emerged from:

• Japan
• Thailand
• India
• United Kingdom (for social impact retail partnerships)

Manufacturing Capabilities

Production at ARBC is community-centric, leveraging:

• Micro-production facilities for small-batch honey extraction and beeswax processing
• Training centers for community-based manufacturing and vocational education
• Standardized processing units for filtering, packaging, and quality assurance

All production is aligned with natural product norms—no chemical additives or artificial fragrances are used.

Certifications and Compliance

While not yet certified organic or ISO-rated, ARBC adheres to:

• Good beekeeping practices (GMP equivalent)
• Basic food safety and quality control measures
• Transparent sourcing and full traceability to beekeeping households

The organization is actively pursuing partnerships to upgrade quality systems and acquire organic certification for export markets.

Customer Testimonials

Stakeholders and customers consistently highlight:

• The richness and aroma of Shan Highlands honey
• The handcrafted quality of beeswax-based cosmetics
• The meaningful social impact of each purchase
• Training participants report significant income increase from beekeeping adoption

Donors and partners also recognize the Plan Bee model as a scalable, replicable framework for rural economic development.

Major Achievements

• Trained over 300 beekeepers across 3 regions in Myanmar
• Recognized as a leading social enterprise by the British Council Myanmar
• Expanded product line to include 10+ beeswax-based SKUs
• Initiated pollination services program serving over 50 farms
• Featured in international forums including ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network

Apiculture Resource and Business Center (ARBC) continues to blend nature, enterprise, and empowerment—one hive at a time.