Bee-keeping is a good source of income
Jul 09, 2009
EDITOR—Bee-keeping is a relatively low investment venture that can be undertaken near homesteads, using bee-hives made from cheap, easily available materials by women, the youth, disabled and elderly. It does not compete for resources used by other form
EDITOR—Bee-keeping is a relatively low investment venture that can be undertaken near homesteads, using bee-hives made from cheap, easily available materials by women, the youth, disabled and elderly. It does not compete for resources used by other forms of agriculture.
The bee-keeper does not need to own land in order to keep bees. Bee hives can be in community-held land such as thickets, forests and woodlands. Bee-keeping is environment-friendly and can be productive even in semi-arid areas that are unsuitable for other agricultural use. The market for bee products is locally, regionally and internationally available. Honey and bee brood are sources of carbohydrate and protein food that farmers can obtain at minimal cost. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries use bee products such as honey, bee wax, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom. The most important service the honeybees render to mankind is pollination of agricultural and forestry crops. There is an expanding international niche market for special flavoured and organic honey which could be exported.
In April 2005, Uganda was licensed to export honey to the EU market, thus creating an immense opportunity for this country.
However, this enormous opportunity has not been utilised due to inadequate national honey production.
Dr. Robert Kajobe
Director, The Bee-keeping Education and Exhibition Centre
kajobe@forest.mak.ac.ug
The bee-keeper does not need to own land in order to keep bees. Bee hives can be in community-held land such as thickets, forests and woodlands. Bee-keeping is environment-friendly and can be productive even in semi-arid areas that are unsuitable for other agricultural use. The market for bee products is locally, regionally and internationally available. Honey and bee brood are sources of carbohydrate and protein food that farmers can obtain at minimal cost. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries use bee products such as honey, bee wax, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom. The most important service the honeybees render to mankind is pollination of agricultural and forestry crops. There is an expanding international niche market for special flavoured and organic honey which could be exported.
In April 2005, Uganda was licensed to export honey to the EU market, thus creating an immense opportunity for this country.
However, this enormous opportunity has not been utilised due to inadequate national honey production.
Dr. Robert Kajobe
Director, The Bee-keeping Education and Exhibition Centre
kajobe@forest.mak.ac.ug