Bees for Development Journal 126 March 2018
Increased income from beekeeping Sarah Mugoya
Communications Manager, The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation
Janet Lowore
Programme Manager Africa, Bees for Development
George Williams
Programme Funding & M&E Manager, Traidcraft UK
The UK-based fair trade organisation, Traidcraft, managed a three-year project: Beekeepers Economic Empowerment Tanzania (BEET) concluding in 2016. The aim was to reduce poverty of beekeepers across the Tabora region and in the coastal region of Rufiji of Tanzania. Traidcraft’s strategy was: 1. To improve beekeepers’ skills and knowledge, and to increase production of bee products through improved practices. 2. To organise beekeepers into groups and link these groups to associations to strengthen their bargaining power and enable them to work collectively. 3. To link beekeepers to service providers, to provide training and advice to support improvement in quality, volumes and links to markets. 4. To improve gender equity. 5. To improve environmental awareness and stewardship.
Daudi Athumani Ngea from Rufiji District clothing and smokers. BEET supported beekeepers to organise into 35 village-level groups and two higherlevel associations. These groups created collection centres to store their honey after harvesting, enabling the beekeepers to sell their honey 2-3 months later, at higher prices. The intention was that the associations would negotiate with buyers about supplies, prices and volumes. A key component of the Project was women’s empowerment, enabling women to benefit more from beekeeping, and to take on leadership roles.
Approach
Results and Impact
Beekeepers received training in best practice including making improved hives, and the use of protective Photos © Traidcraft Exchange
The Project reached 936 women and 2,200 men. All those interviewed during the final evaluation reported that they had adopted at least one of the introduced beekeeping practices. All reported increases in yields and sales.
Facts and Figures District
Rufiji Sikonge (Tabora) Uyui (Tabora)
Alloyce Nammala and one of his hives 8
% of beekeepers who increased production volume by over 20% 86
Average reported increases in income from beekeeping (%)
97 75
+80 +50
+70
