Bee Farming for Sustainable Enterpreneurship

My current home is below the Oldonyio Orok (Maasaai for the black mountain). The mountain is a home to so many wild animals, insects and plants. The roots, bucks and leaves from the trees and shrubs on the mountain are of very many different species and many of them are used by the local community for traditional medicine. The Maasai people have had their own traditional ways of treating various common ailments. Butterflies and swarms of bees are some the insects found or visit the mountain.

Two years ago, we noticed some movements of bees around our house. Little did we know that the activities were a survey by bees on where to live. We thought they were looking for water but we realized they were not. Months later they settled between the ceiling board and the roof. We thought this was such a small space to secure a place for honey but we were wrong. It was so much space.

During those months, we could get stung at any time. They somehow controlled our movement around our home. We had to bend low as we got into the house. That was very dangerous. We had to pull down the house’ fascia board to get rid them.

Bees are very active and very organized in the way they work especially when making the honey combs. I watched them and saw how they coordinated their activities. They are also very dangerous too. When a swarm of bees are moving, one is supposed to take precautions. When they move towards your direction, then you must lie low for them to pass. If you stand on their way they will attack you. When they attack a person in large numbers (swarm) the person can die.

Apart from the risks involved in being near them (bees) including the stings which cause itchiness and swelling. They are also very productive. Bees make honey and wax. These are very important products. They can be used in so many ways, in food and as ingredients in soaps and shampoos, body lotions, in cakes and other food stuff. They are responsible for the production of honey, nectar, beeswax, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom a product used by the bees as a means of defense against its aggressors desiring to take their honey.

I decided to do a research on bee farming and settled on the idea of bee farming. Bees are available in my home area and only requires the initial cost. They do get sick just like people do. The ones around our area are not easily attacked by mites. Mites are parasitic insects that are very tiny about the size of the tip of a sewing needle.

The knowledge I have gained in bee farming is sufficient for me as a bee farmer. I bought Langstroth beehives and am now a bee farmer and entrepreneur. I intend to train other women in my community and country on the same as alternative livelihood practice to animal keeping. I will use my knowledge and skills on bee farming to reach out more farmers during Agricultural radio lessons and digital media on the importance of bee keeping. This farming will certainly reduce poverty levels and create employment for more people especially women. It gives a good income. This bore the idea of Oldonyio Orok bee keeping for Entrepreneurship.