Honey is five times more expensive than oil and its demand is increasing not only in Africa itself but all over the world. Priced at between $6-$11 (Ksh600-Ksh1,100), one kilo of honey in Kenya costs five times what a litre of petrol does, and in the Arab market, a jar of honey can fetch almost double this amount ($15-$25). This is according to Jungle honey – a Kenyan enterprise that involves in empowering interested beekeepers through offering training on modern beekeeping, provision of langstroth beehives and other beekeeping equipment, management of the apiaries, provision of the bees, technical support and, marketing of the honey
Honey is five times more expensive than oil and its demand is increasing not only in Africa itself but all over the world. Priced at between $6-$11 (Ksh600-Ksh1,100), one kilo of honey in Kenya costs five times what a litre of petrol does, and in the Arab market, a jar of honey can fetch almost double this amount ($15-$25). This is according to *Jungle Honey ltd*– a Kenyan social enterprise that is involved in empowering interested beekeepers through offering training on modern beekeeping, provision of langstroth beehives and other beekeeping equipment, management of the apiaries, provision of the bees, technical support and, marketing of the honey.
It is a price tag that has honey producers all over the world salivating
Since independence, Kenya has had deficit in honey production which leads to over 80% of honey processed in Kenya being imported from Tanzania while there is a lot of potential for beekeeping in the country infact, Leading honey producers in Africa such as Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe have the same favourable climatic conditions for beekeeping as Kenya.
”There is a global shortage of honey and although Kenya has the potential to at least bridge part of it, little effort has been made in this direction.”
Bee-keeping in Kenya has been practiced traditionally for many years. However only 20% of the country’s honey production potential (estimated at 100,000 metric tonnes) has been tapped”
Many farmers in Kenya are yet to commercialize honey production as the sector is still regarded as a preserve of the poor.This has been the case while there is a huge market for the product in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
SURVEY – ACCORDING TO JUNGLE HONEY
√ Through bee keeping there is an opportunity for one to generate good money year round hence change in lifestyle
√ The country’s flora leaks every flowering season with over 80% untapped nectar
√ Due to poor bee keeping practice, we lack healthy and good honey hence importing to cover the gap.
√ Farmers languishing in poverty due to lack of proper knowledge skills, modern hives and other essential tools for bee keeping
√ Bee keeping is a unique practice that works 100% well with other farm practices since less time is needed on management and supervision.
√ Climatic condition has greatly changed sometimes with less or no rain to support crop farming which in turn is proper with bees.
√ Due to lack of bee farmers, bees have migrated to cooler and safer regions like Baobab trees, our home roof tops, ceiling and chimneys making it always costly on repairs and contributing to poisoning/burning of bees making it almost an extinct move
OBSERVATIONS – ACCORDING TO JUNGLE HONEY
√ The Country lies within the best climatic pattern year round which is excellent for bee keeping.
√ Farmers have downed tools from non-profiting crop cultivation on harsh areas and looking for better and affordable ideas.
√ Virgin tracts of our lands lie idle flourishing with plenty of mature indigenous trees with class (A) nectar
√ Honey yields is low on traditional hives compared to modern langstroths which also give healthy honey in terms of handling and harvesting
Beehives require management and good stewardship, which take both time and knowledge.
General maintenance requires periodic inspections during the warm months to make sure your queen is laying eggs, your workers are building up honey stores, and your colony has enough space to expand. In the cold months, the colony clusters and eats through their honey stores, only emerging when the temperature is above freezing to eliminate waste. Inspections are discouraged during this time to keep from releasing precious heat from the hive. Management time and style will depend on your climate, your hive style, and your particular bees. All colonies are unique, and each beekeeper will have a different experience.
All beekeepers get stung at some point. For example, a bee might end up in the fold of your clothing, go unnoticed, and be unable to get out. Honeybees are mostly very docile, and stinging is a last resort, since once they sting, they die.