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| A bee keeper in the hive house |
Beekeepers in Homa Bay County are calling on the national and county governments to support their venture as a key driver of the economy in the region.
The farmers led by the coordinator of the Homa Bay Beekeepers Association Samuel Oyugi lamented that despite its potential, beekeeping remains largely unsupported.
“We started beekeeping because we saw it as a good source of income. However, beekeeping has not been recognized for its potential and benefit to the community,” Oyugi regretted.
The association has over 200 members spread across Oyugis, Homa Bay Town, Ndhiwa, and Rusinga islands. “We are urging the government to commit more resources to beekeeping industry which is a cornerstone of economic stimulus programs,” Oyugi said.
He said one hive can produce up to 7 kilograms of honey, and the market is readily available. He added they cannot meet the demand.
The association highlighted several challenges hindering their growth such as lack of particularly bee suits.
Additionally, he said many beekeepers lacked proper training and essential tools like smokers and centrifuge systems for honey extraction.
“We want to see a united front among beekeepers. This way, when companies come for honey, they’ll find a large, reliable source,” Oyugi added.
The association is seeking government support for training programs and equipment provision.
The bee keepers are also advocating for the formation of beekeeping cooperatives to increase production capacity. “We have some Non-Governmental Organisations who support us, we urge the Lake Basin Development Authority to also support us with training and materials,” he added.
By Daline Ochieng and Davis Langat