By Micah Sali
The Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KeLCoP) has significantly supported farmers in Bungoma County by donating 140 beehives and honey harvesting equipment. This initiative, which aims to enhance honey production in the region, is a part of a six-year project jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
KeLCoP has provided three apiculture farming groups with 140 Langstroth beehives, 30 supers, 13 harvesting kits, 13 catcher boxes, and two full sets of protective gear for honey harvesting. This donation is expected to significantly boost honey production by equipping farmers with the necessary tools and protective equipment.
Speaking at Kaptama during the handover ceremony, Livestock Chief Officer Andrew Musungu highlighted the viability and profitability of apiculture, emphasizing its potential to access broader markets. Apiculture, the practice of keeping and maintaining bees and their hives, has seen increasing demand for its products, including raw honey, beeswax, and royal jelly.
The KeLCoP initiative is designed to empower farmers in two sub-counties of Bungoma: Kapcheko SLCA (Small Livestock Commercialization) in Mt. Elgon Sub-county and Naitiri/Kabuyefwe Ward in Tongaren Sub-county. By providing modern beekeeping equipment, the project aims to help farmers diversify their agricultural practices and embrace apiculture’s substantial profitability.
Additionally, the KeLCoP project includes establishing community-based animal health workers, providing veterinary drugs and vaccines, constructing livestock markets, and developing value chains for livestock products such as milk, meat, and hides.
The ultimate goal of the KeLCoP project is to contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth in Kenya by increasing the incomes of small-scale livestock farmers and promoting the commercialization of the country’s livestock sector.
This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering farmers and boosting agricultural productivity in Bungoma County.
