Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) continued its commitment to community empowerment by organizing a beekeeping training for members of the Dupoto Beekeepers and Marketing Cooperative Society.
Led by Piranto Ole Mosiany, the training aimed to equip participants with essential business management skills, enhance honey quality and compliance standards, and explore opportunities for value addition in bee products.
The training program was structured to achieve six key objectives. It began by focusing on the commercialization of beekeeping activities for the Dupoto Beekeepers Cooperative. Following this, emphasis was placed on developing sustainable business models tailored to the cooperative’s specific needs.
Participants were then guided through the process of becoming familiar with beekeeping equipment and maintenance practices. Additionally, the training stressed the importance of adopting efficient honey extraction techniques using appropriate tools, while also educating participants on safety measures and quality control during honey harvesting and processing.
Lastly, the program explored various value addition opportunities and effective marketing strategies for bee products. Each objective was carefully integrated into the curriculum to provide comprehensive support and guidance to the cooperative members, empowering them to enhance their beekeeping endeavors and contribute to the resilience of their community.
The training sessions were designed to be engaging and interactive, with a focus on practical learning experiences. Participants embarked on physical site visits to apiaries, fostering hands-on learning opportunities. Conducted in the Maasai language to ensure effective communication, the sessions encouraged active participation and knowledge absorption among attendees.
Demonstrations of proper gear for harvesting and hive inspection
One of the highlights of the training was the exploration of value addition processes for bee products. Participants gained insights into various methods of enhancing the value of honey and beeswax. These methods included incorporating honey into food products such as yoghurt and porridge, infusing honey with herbs for medicinal and culinary purposes, and creating health-friendly candles and artisanal products from beeswax.
In addition to value addition processes, the training emphasized the importance of bee forage plants and the development of a floral calendar. Participants actively engaged in discussions and fieldwork to identify key bee plants in the Mukogodo East Ward region. By recognizing the significance of indigenous flora in sustaining bee populations, participants committed to conservation efforts, including the restoration of disappearing bee forage plants.
Participants pose for a group photo while holding bee themed photos
The training marked a significant step in the journey towards sustainable beekeeping practices and community development. By fostering entrepreneurship skills, promoting quality standards, and encouraging environmental stewardship, the training laid a solid foundation for the Dupoto Beekeepers Cooperative to thrive.
