(Samson Midigo is a columnist who writes on self-development)
Maurice Ajwera’s home is typical of a rural community homestead with a mixture of traditional and modern buildings.
The house is built on the slope of a hill in Kisaku sub-location, Gwasi Division, Homa Bay County.
The area is dry and dusty all year round and fishing is no longer their main economic activity here; they have turned to beekeeping.
Ajwera has an apiary of 25 hives, just 500 yards from the homestead. Another 500 local farmers are engaged in keeping bees in Gwasi Division.
Each farmer has a minimum of five to a maximum of 25 beehives in the compound and they rake in an estimated Sh6 million every year through the sale of honey and hives.
Besides the fact beekeeping requires a small amount of capital to start it off and that it does well in areas that receive relatively low rainfall, there are many other benefits of practising apiculture -- an agricultural term referring to beekeeping.
1. Environmental and social value
Beekeeping encourages aforestation especially in areas affected by deforestation. Tree planting in such areas and also those that are semi-arid in nature greatly improves the climatic conditions of the area.
With education on how to best to practice apiculture, there is more inclusivity of the community especially for women who run many homes, especially in Gwasi.
2. Economic value
Bee-keeping is an ideal small business for rural households, those in full-time employment, fisher-folk, local farmers and entrepreneurs. Keeping bees offers a unique opportunity as an income generating activity because it is less labour intensive.
It also has good returns as the demand for honey both locally and internationally is high.
3. Nutritional value
Honey has natural medicinal value due to the nectar bees collect from different tree species.
You can also eat as much honey as your appetite allows without fear of cholesterol. Honey is a fantastic spread on bread!
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