Research observes beekeeping as one of the underdeveloped socio-economic activities that could have high potential for promoting food security in Africa.
Despite being insects, bees have enormous benefits to the mankind. First, bees are known for their economic value obtained from sale of their products that include; Honey, Wax, Pollen, Propolis, Royal Jelly, and Bee Venom.
Secondly, Bees help in crop pollen pollination which facilitates high agriculture yield for crop farmers.
Third, in the natural forest, bees promote high yield for seeds that develop to new plants which in turn, promotes re-forestation as part of environmental conservation.
Bee rearing, community capacity building and collaborative research project
This is the core project of Kwetu Training Center under this department.
The design of this project is informed by two desired outcomes: Diversification of sources of livelihoods for our constituents, and Conservation of our endangered ecosystems like mangrove and other terrestrial forests.
Kwetu does bee rearing as an income generating activity through sale of bee products, demonstration sites for farmers, research facilities for tertiary institutions on bee related researches. It also supplements conservation of mangroves initiatives.
Currently, in collaboration with ICIPE, we are conducting beekeeping related researches on different pests, beehive hygienic standards, and diseases.
Moreover, we conduct a range of community capacity building/enhancement activities such as training on beekeeping technologies, provision of extension services to bee farmers including on-site training, monitoring, inspection, harvesting, mentoring, quality control, marketing and record keeping.
We employ a mentor-ship model where a farmer attends a 3-4 days intensive training session followed by practical training in the field with the trainee.
Follow-up training is conducted based on the trainee needs.
Commercialization of Seaweed Farming and Beekeeping in Msambweni
This project is implemented in partnership with ACT! Kenya. With funding support from the European Union, its overall objective is to contribute to the reduction of poverty for the poor and underserved people in Msambweni District in Coast Province.
Specifically, the project seeks to improve the local economy of the poor and underserved through better agribusiness practices in Msambweni district.
After the elapse of the 36 months time-frame, the project envisages that: Management knowledge on seaweed and honey sub-sectors improved among actors and stakeholders, technical and business capacities among individual farmers and entrepreneurs for seaweed and honey production improved, institutional capacities and relations among selected actors and stakeholder organizations for seaweed and honey production strengthened, market access for seaweed and honey created and sustained.
This Project targets:
- nine (9) farmer groups with estimated membership of 400 individual farmers
- four (4) in bee-keeping at Shimoni/Vanga and
- five (5) in seaweed farming at Gazi, Funzi Island and Mkwiro zones.
The final beneficiaries will be individual members of the target groups and communities in this area. Special focus will be given to women and youth.