MUBENDE BEEKEEPERS ACQUIRE SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT TO BOOST HONEY PRODUCTION

The National Association of Professional Environmentalists NAPE, in partnership with Community Green Radio, has equipped beekeepers in Kabweyakiza village, Maddudu subcounty in Mubende district with skills and knowledge plus equipment aimed at improving beekeeping and honey production.

The initiative was conducted through a workshop that brought together about 45 beekeepers including youth, men and women who shared experiences, challenges and practical skills on beekeeping.

During the workshop the participants were trained on proper bee management, bee hive management, safe honey harvesting and ways of maintaining healthy bee colonies. They also discussed several benefits, challenges from the project and how they overcome them.

Byabasheija Aggrey, the team leader of the beekeepers, highlighted the benefits the project has brought to the community, saying beekeeping has created opportunities for members to generate income while also supporting environment conservation.

He explained that the group has faced several challenges such as swarming of bees especially during poor weather conditions, inadequate market for their products among others.

Byabasheija credited the NAPE for its continued support through training, knowledge sharing and provision of equipment. He said the support has increased members’ confidence and improve their ability to manage their hives and harvest honey safely.

He however appealed for continued support, particularly in helping the beekeepers access reliable and profitable markets for their honey and other bee products.

The chairperson LC1 of Kabweyakiza village also commended NAPE for its contained support to community members involved in bee keeping. He said the training and provision of equipment has helped community members to gain practical knowledge and improve their activities.

Mr.kureeba David, who represented NAPE at the workshop, handedover the beekeeping equipment to the members on behalf of the organisation. The materials included bee smokers, protective gloves, harvesting overalls among others.

At the end of the workshop, beekeepers also carried out a practical honey -harvesting exercise, giving participants an opportunity to apply the skills they had acquired during the training.

The exercise demonstrated how honey can be harvested safely while protecting bee colonies for continued production.

The National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE)is an environmental organisation working with communities to promote environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.