Africa rising - hope and opportunities in beekeeping
|
Africa is one of the continents full of hope, potential and massive opportunities in beekeeping. Blessed with its natural forests, vast tracks of land, good bee-friendly all year round weather conditions and natural bees make Africa the place to get high quality bee products. Recognising the potential in beekeeping, many communities in Africa have embraced new beekeeping initiatives. It is with these positive developments that a number of African countries are recording increases in honey and bees wax exports.
There are many challenges other regions are facing that has seen a decline in bee colonies. These include bee diseases, harsh weather conditions, excessive use of agrochemicals, and rapid industrialization that is taking away the natural habitat for the bees. Yet African bee colonies are increasing. The increase of organic bee colonies in Africa has seen it maintain a quality of honey that is pure and natural, free of traces of excessive antibiotics and agro-chemicals. Governments throughout the region have realized the potential in bees as a mitigation measures for poverty eradication, environmental conservation, food security and rural development. As such, greater attention is now given to beekeeping and the honey sector resulting in a number of educational campaigns and channelling of resources towards funding beekeeping projects. |
