Bondry Kilenga
Kotido District Production Department has prioritized apiary farming as an alternative to diversify crop and animal production among the farmers in a bid to enhance household incomes.
Apiary is seen as not only a viable project that could earn the farmers high incomes but also an alternative to traditional crop growing often affected by climate change.
Over the years, development partners supported honey production Kotido investing on training farmers, supplying beehives and providing value addition technologies.
Despite these efforts, beekeeping across the district still faces numerous challenges, such as poor harvesting practices and poor storage that comprises quality and market.
In response, the district authorities want to prioritize honey production and processing by equipping the farmers with the necessary skills needed for apiary farming.
Robert Kennedy Okuda, the District Production Officer, is optimistic about the potential of the apiary industry in Kotido more so in areas like Kacheri where a processing plant for value addition is already constructed.
Okuda said the production department is planning to identify an entomologist to help skill the farmers in production, harvesting and quality assurance.
“Communities in the green belt have adaptive to beekeeping. But we are aware there is need for more capacity building to help them cope up with apiary farming. We are identifying an entomologist to help in these field,” said Okuda during a meeting to forge the way forward.
Benard Obin, an Agricultural notes that with proper support and management, the industry could provide the most sustainable source of income for improved livelihoods.
He has advised the farmers to form into groups, work together to uphold high level of production, better storage and value addition.
“I implore beekeepers in Kotido especially Kacheri to make the best use of the honey processing plant built for them in Kacheri to produce quality honey that is competitive in the market,” said Obin.
He urged the beekeepers to monitors and manages the bees’ health, food, and space, which involves inspecting frames, suppressing pests and ensuring a suitable environment with ample flowers and enough sunlight.
Daniel Lochoro Deputy CAO – Kotido believes apiary industry in Kotido district can shrive.
Records indicate that in 2022/2023, Kotido produced over 15 tons of honey and according to experts, there is a potential to produce much more that that once the farmers are skilled and equipped with necessary tools and technology.
