By Our Reporter 

Amuria District — Farmers in Morungatuny Sub-county, Amuria District, have been encouraged to adopt apiary farming as a viable means to fight poverty, improve biodiversity, and generate sustainable income. The call was made during a farmers’ cooperative training organized by Cajila Africa Links Institute at Ateuso Church of Uganda.

Julius Echodu, the Sustainability Manager at Cajila Africa Links Institute, emphasized that beekeeping is not only a source of income but also plays a crucial role in pollination and ecological conservation.

“Bee farming increases biodiversity and provides farmers with valuable raw materials such as honey and beeswax,” Echodu noted. “However, to succeed, farmers need to establish apiaries at least 100 meters from homesteads, avoiding roads and waterlogged areas.”

He further advised on essential beekeeping practices, including feeding bees with a mixture of sugar, cassava flour, and water, ideally placed in sponge-soaked containers to provide hydration.

Echodu outlined the necessary tools for successful apiary management, such as bee suits, smokers, gloves, gumboots, air harvesters, harvesting knives or brushes, and buckets. He stressed that harvesting should be done between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM for optimal results.

“Before venturing into apiary farming, farmers must acquire adequate knowledge. This includes understanding bee biology, market dynamics, startup capital requirements, and value addition opportunities,” he added.

During the training, farmers raised concerns about limited access to beehives, despite having acquired management skills. They called for support in sourcing local suppliers or assistance from Cajila Africa Links Institute.

Responding to these concerns, Dr. Cosmas Agweta, Executive Director of Cajila Africa Links Institute, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing beehives to farmers. He noted that this initiative aims to help farmers implement the knowledge gained during training and grow their beekeeping enterprises.

“With the right support, beekeeping can transform livelihoods and enhance food security across the region,” Dr. Agweta concluded.

The training marks a significant step in promoting sustainable agriculture and alternative income-generating activities among rural farmers in Amuria.