Kampala — FARMERS in Mubende district have embarked on bee-keeping to generate income and protect the environment.

This follows a campaign by Environmental Alert, a non-governmental organisation advocating environmental protection, to sensitise farmers about sustainable agricultural practices. Most residents were involved in brick-laying and charcoal burning.

Ambrose Bugaari, the Environmental Alert's programme officer, said they trained farmers in bee-keeping and gave each farmer 20 beehives, protective gear and smokers.

"Our aim is to provide alternative job opportunities for the farmers so that they can engage in sustainable agricultural practices," Bugaari said.

He said each farmer was given 20 modern beehives (Kenya top- bar hives).

" Bee-keeping is a viable business. Environmental Alert opened our eyes. We were degrading the environment through making bricks and charcoal-burning," said Samuel Mukwala, a beneficiary from Nabikakala sub-county.

Mukwala says a kilo of honey costs sh6,000. "It is better than growing maize," he said.

Uganda has an abundance of natural resources that favour bee-keeping. Coffee, tea, maize, sorghum, fruits, vegetable and spices grown in Uganda provide useful forage for bees.

Mukwala said unlike traditional beehives, modern ones were economical. From each hive, a farmer harvests 20kg of honey every season. There are two seasons in a year. Mukwala earns sh4.8m from honey every year.