Kampala — APART from a conducive environment for apiary, the West Nile region is also renowned for producing good quality honey which has in the past received endorsement on the world market.

However, production has remained low. This has been blamed on the traditional methods of keeping bees and minimal intervention by the Government and the private sector.

But finally, there seems to be hope. The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) has initiated a partnership with Centenary Bank and Bee Natural Uganda (BNU), a honey processing firm in Arua, to address the challenges impeding honey production in the area.

The project code named "improving value chain of honey production and marketing in West Nile", has already generated interest among the locals.

David Ssengozi, the SNV senior economic development adviser, says farmers will be trained in apicultural techniques and also access soft loans to enhance their productivity.

He says the bank will provide loans in cash and equipment, while BNU will provide ready market. Interest rates have been reduced to 28% from the usual 35% charged on agricultural loans.

He says registration of model farmers was in progress with a target of 1,200 producers.

"We want to increase production from the current 100 metric tons to about 600metric tons of honey every year," Sengozi says.

The region's potential

According to figures from the recent national livestock census, four of the districts in West Nile - Yumbe, Arua, Maracha/Terego and Nebbi, are among the districts with the highest number of beehives in Uganda.

Yumbe has 57,770 beehives, Kabale 38,730 and Amuru with 36,890.

Others are Nakapiripirit with 33,000, Arua 29,160, Maracha/Terego 21,450 and Nebbi with 19,250 beehives.

In terms of production, Yumbe produces 129,950kg of honey per year, Maracha/Terego 43,950kg and Nebbi 42,620kg.

Farmer's reaction

Nelson Afeku of Blessed Bees Farm says: "With the intervention of SNV, Centenary Bank and BNU, we have formed associations and built systems of governance, developed market strategies and sought to improve the quality of our produce."

Initiated in 1999 as a family enterprise, the farm has grown into a centre for farmers to acquire knowledge, buy tools and sell their products. They make smokers, protective gear and beehives.

John Kefa, a consultant with Moyo Bee Keepers Association, says the association has 172 members who are benefiting in various ways.

He says they have started holding regional portfolio meetings and trainings in quality and quantity improvement. They are also exposed to other buyers through trade shows. He believes the new partnership between SNV, Centenary bank and BNU will increase productivit y of the farmers.