Bees for Development Journal 129 December 2018
Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union Vincent Hakizmana, Kigali, Rwanda Photos © Vincent Hakizmana
Before 1994 beekeeping was carried out inside the Nyungwe National Park (NNP) in southwest Rwanda, the country’s largest and most biodiverse national protected area. NNP is home to 1,323 plant species with 218 endemic to the Albertine Rift. There are more than 200 different tree species. Eighty-five mammals, 278 birds, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptile species have been recorded of which 97 species are endemic. NNP contains also 13 species of primate, including the eastern chimpanzee Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, which along with the well-developed trail system and Park infrastructure, offer important tourist attractions and sources of revenue. In addition to its biodiversity value, NNP provides vital ecological services, via water catchments and stabilisation of soil erosion. NNP is the watershed for over 60% of Rwanda with its streams feeding into both the Congo and Nile basins. It thus protects a major watershed for surrounding communities and also for those much further downstream. Population densities around Nyungwe are among the highest in Africa (250-500/km²). The forest’s moderating effects result in longer periods of rain each year, supporting a relatively high degree of agricultural production including local farms as well as larger scale production – coffee and tea plantations. As such, it supports the national economy, provides an important source of water and hydroelectricity, and regulates regional climate conditions.
Containers of Ubuzima cerate - skin lotion made by the Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union how beekeeping can be a revenue generating activity for farmers. Training was provided along with some equipment. In 2010, 15 beekeepers’ co-operatives were registered at national level within the umbrella group Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union. Today, the Union is the main buyer and seller of bee products in Rwanda on behalf of the co-operatives. Much progress has been made in beekeeping techniques and my own beekeeping skills because of my parent’s heritage and also the information provided in Bees for Development Journal. This has helped the Union diversify into
This is the conservation value of the area (Key Biodiversity Area) where beekeeping was practised without any consideration of its biodiversity. Beekeepers were considered to be the people who damaged NNP. From 1994 beekeepers were organised into associations or co-operatives and sensitised into
Revenue generated by bee products other than honey made by Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers’ Union Items Candles
2013 (RWF)
2014 (RWF)
2015 (RWF)
983,650 1,483,160 1,189,900
2016 (RWF)
2017 (RWF)
845,800 1,052,800
Beeswax lip balm
0
10,500
23,800
153,500
145,100
Skin lotion
0
0
0
0
183,700
Pure beeswax
0
0
0
0 1,317,600
983,650 1,493,660 1,213,700
999,300 2,699,200
Total sales
Source: Profit and Loss account of Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe 2013-2017 US$1 = RWF890; €1 = RWF1,000; £1= RWF1,140
Harvesting honey from frame hives 9
