Beekeeping project launched in Homa Bay under LBDA–Hive Limited partnership

CHRIS MAHANDARA-KNA

The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has part nered with The Hive Limited to implement a beekeeping project targeting more than 600 farmers in Homa Bay County.

The deal, signed at LBDA headquarters in Kisumu, seeks to support beekeepers operating within Wire Forest under the Wire Forest Management Association (WIFOMA), with a focus on boosting production, improving incomes and enhancing environ mental conservation.

LBDA Managing Director Wyclife Ochiaga said the authority will spearhead the initiative by coordinating partners, provid ing infrastructure and ensuring farmers have access to reliable markets.

“As you are aware, our mandate is to promote and coordinate socio-economic development within the Lake Victoria catchment area. One of our roles in this arrangement is to coordinate development partners to support bee farmers,” said Ochiaga.

He said LBDA will invest close to Sh. 4 million in the project, largely to support infra structure, including the provision of 600 modern beehives.

“As an organisation, we are going to support infrastructure by availing 600 beehives to this group. We will procure them from The Hive Limited because they are the experts in developing this kind of infrastructure,” he said.

Ochiaga noted that the author ity will also provide a ready market for the produce through its refinery plant in Ndhiwa, which will off-take honey and other bee products. 

“We have a refinery plant in Ndhiwa and we are going to off-take the honey and other products. The Hive company will also be an off-taker. So, there is enough market for the produce,” he said.

He said the partnership is anchored on a three-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding, which will allow for assessment of the project’s sustainability and the durability of the infrastructure.

“We have signed an MOU of three years, renewable. This period will help us assess whether the infrastructure will still be stable,” he said.

The MD added that the project will serve as a pilot, with plans to scale it up to other parts of the region once it proves successful.

“In Homa Bay we have already identified farmers. We are working towards identifying some in Kisumu, in the western counties and also parts of Rift Valley. This is an ongoing exercise,” he said.

Ochiaga further linked the initiative to national environmental conservation efforts, noting that apiculture thrives in well-preserved eco systems.

“Another thing that we do is conservation of natural resources, where the greening programme comes in. There is a national cam paign to plant 15 billion trees, and 30 per cent of these are expected to be fruit trees,” he said.

He explained that fruit trees play a crucial role in supporting bee forage and sustaining pro duction.

“For beekeeping, fruit trees provide critical raw mate rials for bees. We are developing tree nurseries at our offices and regional centres, and working with communities to build their capacity to support this effort,” he added.