Story by Theophilus Chuma

THE Second Republic’s focus on value-addition has unlocked the potential of honey production, which has linked over 500 farmers in Chimanimani to the value chain.

Harnessing the power of bees to improve livelihoods, the government has created apiculture clusters in every province which have unlocked the potential of this sector, benefitting thousands of smallholder farmers.

Over many years, Brian Mambeu produced honey from his hives in the forests of Chimanimani, without realising any meaningful income.

Fortunes, however, sweetened when the government emphasised and implemented value addition to honey, where organic honey is now on demand beyond the domestic market.

“I am very thankful for the programmes that are bringing life to farmers. My future in honey farming is guaranteed because I now get enough income. The vision 2030 now makes sense for me and I know I will be part of that vision,” said Brian Mambeu.

The Second Republic has identified honey as a promising green product to diversify exports while also creating new economic opportunities in rural communities as part of the rural industrialisation drive.
Here in Nyanyadzi, a full-scale value-addition line for honey is now just a few months from exporting the product to the international market.

Moses Chimedza “Through government assistance, we have managed to get local standard certification for our honey, and now, we are working on the certification to export which will be very soon. We are very grateful to the government for such linkages which help build confidence in our work,” noted Chimani Trust General Manager, Mr Moses Chimedza.
Through training and workshops facilitated under Zimtrade, capacity and quality have improved.

“Since working on this project, our quality of production has greatly improved because we now have a bigger version to supply to the international market. We thank the government for such an empowerment initiative which has harnessed the potential in our communities,” said Trust Chimani Production Supervisor, Mrs Irene Chasara.

Yet the benefits are not only on improved incomes. By learning to care for bees, farmers are also helping to protect the environment and boost food security.