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Bees for Business: Rwenzori

Summary

In partnership with Ugandan coffee co-operative, Bukonzo, this project supported 141 coffee farmers to diversify into beekeeping as an additional source of income. 

Location: Kasese District, Uganda

Date: January 2024 - June 2025

Participants: 141 coffee farmers (30% women)

Partners: Bukonzo Organic Co-operative Union (Bukonzo)

Image: Project participants construct apiaries. 

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Project Background

In western Uganda, over 90% of smallholder farmers depend on coffee as their main source of income. However, the impacts of climate change increasingly threaten coffee production in the region.

Meanwhile, many farmers harvest their coffee before it is ripe for income to meet their immediate needs. However, this decreases coffee quality and value, reducing the income of the farmer and volume of saleable coffee received by the co-operative.

Our Bees for Business projects aim to work with local co-operatives to help farmers diversify into beekeeping, building their knowledge, skills, confidence and financial resilience with an additional source of income. We are currently delivering two Bees for Business projects in Uganda.

Project Details

In partnership with Ugandan coffee co-operative, Bukonzo, this project supported coffee farmers to diversify into beekeeping as an additional source of income. Beekeeping generates regular income as honey is harvested twice a year, and is not reliant on rainfall or soil quality, making it a sustainable and climate-smart income diversification activity.

Through this project, each farmer received five modern beehives hives and training in beekeeping skills and business management delivered by Bunyangabu Bee Keepers, a locally based beekeeping co-operative. Training has also been delivered to Bukonzo Field Officers and project staff in beekeeping management, building the internal capacity of the cooperative ensuring they can provide support as required to the farmers, and expand the activity to new communities.

Project Outcome

At the end of the project, 2,293 kg of honey has been produced and sold, generating income of £5,633. Bukonzo have also showcased their honey at local exhibitions to promote their products and attract buyers

Josinta Kabugho, Bukonzo General Manager, said:

“The establishment of the Bees for Business project will supplement the farmer income. Farmers will be able to meet their basic needs and save for the future in their saving groups.” 

Image: Honey, processed and packaged as part of this project.

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We hope you enjoyed learning about this Shared Interest Foundation project.

Since 2004, thanks to our incredible supporters, Shared Interest Foundation has delivered 51 projects in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. 

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If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to speak with a member of the Foundation team via email here.

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