Armyworm ravaged maize crops in the area three years ago where different pesticides were applied during interventions to combat the pests and bees were too killed .affecting apiculture and associated incomes in the area.
“I had over 15 bee hives from which I would harvest 30 kgs of honey during the dry season. I would take the harvest to the market where I obtained Rwf 45,000 but you can’t nowadays hear a single bee buzzing because they all died of pesticides used to kill armyworms,” said Protais Ngayaberura, a former beekeeper in the area. .
Another beekeeper, Syliver Mutungirehe said that bee hives were his source of Mutuelle de Santé contributions for his family and school needs for children but has been hit hard over losing bees.
“I have been impoverished in the past three years. I used to earn a living from bee-keeping. However, pesticides used to kill armyworms, killed bees as well. We call upon concerned parties to find a solution that doesn’t affect bees so that both maize farmers and bee-keepers can continue being productive,” he said.
Gakenke district vice mayor for economic affairs, Aimé Francçois Niyonsenga has said that the problem was reported to Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB).
“We have requested for an alternative remedy to armyworms with no side effects to the ecosystem. Besides, we ask farmers to install their bee hives away from crops and plant fruit trees nearer from which bees can extract pollen,” he said.
Gakenke district has over 150 professional bee keepers grouped into 19 cooperatives.
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