Story by Peter Chivhima
ZIMBABWE is poised to be a key honey producer after more than 10,000 beekeepers from across the country benefitted from the government’s inclusive development agenda.
Beekeepers from across the country converged in Harare this Thursday to deliberate on growing the sector as Africa prepares to host the next Apmondia World Summit in 2027.
In line with its inclusive development agenda, the Second Republic has created apiculture clusters to economically empower beekeepers as the country eyes to become a key honey exporter.
“As a beekeeper, my life has transformed a lot. Through beekeeping, I have managed to send my kids to better schools,” said a beekeeper.
“For me, beekeeping is a lucrative venture because I was a nobody but I want to thank the government for transforming the sector by assisting us beekeepers,” said another beekeeper.
A beekeeper added saying, “As beekeepers, we need to come together and work together so that we grow the sector together. We need to do away with fragmentations in the sector.”
Having assumed the presidency of the Apmondia Association, Mr David Mukomana spoke on the need for coordinated efforts to grow the sector and realise its full economic potential.
“Our main objective is to facilitate the exchange of information and discussions where beekeepers, scientists, honey traders, agents for development, technicians and legislators meet to listen, discuss and learn from each other on how we can promote beekeeping in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe, like most African countries, has perfect conditions for commercial bee farming, an area which is still in its infancy in the country.
Tanzania is the best producer of honey on the continent and will host the next Apmondia Beekeepers World Summit in 2027.
