Located in the picturesque Marovo lagoon, honey producers in the Malemale community have created a sustainable beekeeping model that produces high profits but at the same time allows the environment around it to flourish.
With funding support from UNDPs Small Grants Programme (SGP) through the Global Environment Fund (GEF) Mr Calvin Charles’ has been working with the Malemale community to develop this new beekeeping model, and in a short time has proved successful.
“The honeybees collect nectar from flowers, but then we found that the kerosene wood tree flowers provide one of the best nectar for the honeybees. When I saw that I thought that this two project can go together,” said Calvin, the project coordinator.
“This has become our sweet success. As from the first five hives we received as part of the SGP support, we’re working to increase the number of colonies up to 50.”
Jesina Moses is one of the project members and together with other women in her family are involved in looking after and replanting the kerosene wood tree.
“So we come and work on Malemale, work such as cleaning, brushing and weeding in areas involved in the project.
"Main thing also is we manage the nursery then afterwards we transfer them to polyethylene bags then after 3 weeks we plant them,” said Jesina, as she transferred plants that are ready to be planted.
The support from UNDP’s Small Grants Programme (SGP) has helped the group purchase tools and equipment to turn their beekeeping plan into reality.
“If we manage this well it will help to improve the livelihoods of those in our community,” Calvin said.
Source: With UNDP