Keeping bees and harvesting honey in relation to gender

Keeping bees and harvesting honey are traditionally seen as jobs for men, in many countries. But when using modern types of beehive - which are kept on the ground rather than put in trees - beekeeping can be a very good way for women to earn extra income.

In Uganda, the Api-Prodex company is promoting beekeeping in farming communities, through training and supply of equipment. Farmers are able to lease beehives, smokers and other equipment from the company, and repay the cost through honey sales. They are also given full training in beehive management to maximise their honey production.

The company, now over ten years old, is run by Margaret Ndekera, who was recently recognised at an Africa-wide forum for agribusiness leaders. At the event, in Kampala, she explained more about her successful business to Pius Sawa.

To listen to the full interview, click here: http://www.agfax.net/radio/detail.php?i=384

Group storage to earn more from maize

Maize farmers are often forced by poverty to sell their crop when prices are lowest. But in Rwanda, a group of 60 farmers are among the first to benefit from a system called warrentage which is enabling them to earn double the normal price paid by traders at harvest time.
Under the system, farmers deposit their maize in a group storage shed and can receive 60 per cent of the value of their stored crop as a low-interest loan.
The group, in partnership with a local bank, then sells the maize when prices are high, greatly increasing farmers' profits while also giving them access to credit at the point in the season when they most need it.
This is one of the best practices adopted by our neighboring country and they have been able to reduce the degree of poverty amongst their communities. Most communities in Kenya here are poverty dominated not because they are poor but its due to luck of knowledge and cooperation.
As farmers we can adopt this idea and soon we shall be reaping our long lost efforts.