The demand for propolis in Kenya has skyrocketed with very few people engaged in its production mainly because of lack of information.

Propolis is a high income earner which if exploited can triple the income of a beekeeper.

“Many people think of bees only in terms of honey. While honey itself is great for wealth, health and job creation, it is of the lowest value compared to the other bee products.”

Propolis is a sticky substance collected by bees from buds or bark of trees.

Bees use the material for reducing the size of the hive entrance, filling cracks, polishing the interior of the hive, strengthening comb attachment, killing intruders by covering them and as barriers against ants (nest defense).

Propolis is used in human medicine and for veterinary purposes. Currently several pharmaceutical companies across the world use propolis in the production of drugs.

Several other companies use propolis for manufacturing of medicinal soaps because its antibiotic properties inhibit the growth of microorganisms. It is also used for making adhesives e.g. glue, wood pastes for sealing leaking roofs and cracks on wooden furniture. When chewed it heals backaches.

Commercial propolis harvesting involves the use of the propolis collector which is a plastic mesh sheet which the bees use to build the propolis on.