{Bee keepers in Gicumbi district say they have experienced development since they started practicing modern apiculture (bee keeping) and encourage others to join the trade.}
“I have practiced bee keeping profession for 11 years. In the past we ignored the profession thinking honey harvesting is only meant for mixing it with sorghum beer. However, we later received trainings and we were collected in cooperatives where we started exercising our trade using modern hives which keep our bees secured even in rainy season,” said one of Gicumbi bee keepers Kimenyi François.
This is also attested by another bee keeper, Ndagijimana Jean Marie Vianney: “Bees do not require feeding, watering or veterinary expenses. The bee keeper is only required to maintain hygiene of hives. How can people say that they are running out jobs when bee keeping can bring returns?” he wondered.
Ndagijimana says that he has bought four fields of trees worth Rwf 2 million from bee keeping earnings.
Agri Technology Innovation and Consultancy director, Musoni Célestin, said that there is no reason for neglecting beekeeping.
“We have been working with bee keepers in Gicumbi district for two years. People at first neglected bee keeping. We started offering trainings to those who showed interest and provided modern tools for the apiculture. They later started enjoying benefits of bee keeping. It is not complicated to breed bees since one can breed them without interference with other activities,” he said.
Even though bee keepers appreciate the growth of bee keeping in the area, they say the problem of pests and diseases attacking trees has reduced the flowering regimes which affects nectar collection and honey production by the bees.
Beekeepers have therefore requested stakeholders to address the matter of pests and diseases which are devastating forests.
Bee keepers from various sectors of Gicumbi today work together in 20 cooperatives.
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