VILLAGERS of Cikobia Island in Macuata will start their inaugural $10,000 bee farming project this year.
The initiative will generate income for more than 100 islanders.
Vuninuku Village headman Apaitia Cagituevei said government had offered 16 beehive boxes to them early this year.
"The boxes will be equally distributed to the four villages on the island where women will be encouraged to monitor the farming situation," Mr Cagituevei said.
"While this is the first-ever project for us, we are hoping it will be successful for the purpose of uplifting the standard of living on the island," he said.
"The villagers will soon undergo bee farming training so they can have a better idea of how to operate such businesses."
Mr Cagituevei said government had greatly assisted them.
"We will market our products to Labasa and other parts of the country depending on the arrangements made with our buyers," he said.
"We thank the government for their assistance and we know this will benefit the younger generation."
District officer Macuata Peni Tora said the $10,000 project was aimed at improving the living standard of islanders.
"We will send the boxes to the island in August where it will be disseminated to the villages," Mr Tora said.
"This is part of our integral approach as we work towards eradicating poverty in Fiji," he said.