Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
BEEKEEPERS in Manicaland have expressed their readiness to take advantage of the US$1,6 million beekeeping project availed by Government and French Development Agency (AFD).
Through the ZimBEE project, AFD and ZimTrade intend to further strengthen the country’s honey value chain, especially in rural areas, enhancing the sector’s capacity for volume and quality exports.
Working for Bees founder, Dr Robert Mutisi, who has extensive record in the apiculture industry, said beekeepers in Manicaland must quickly seize the lucrative opportunity.
He said Manicaland is renowned for producing high-quality honey, thanks to its favourable weather conditions, which enable the production of superior honey that can compete on the international market.
“I can confidently say that Manicaland beekeepers, if they are part of this engagement, are more than ready to seize this long-awaited opportunity. Manicaland boasts a diverse bee flora, comprising Miombo woodlands, Eucalyptus plantations, and Vernonanthura polyanthas (bee bush).
“Honey produced in Manicaland qualifies as good-quality honey. Most of the honey comes from plantation forests, national parks, and natural forests, where contamination through chemicals is minimal. Honey from Manicaland has unique characteristics due to its distinct geographical location and floral sources.
“The quality of the honey is consistently high while it is in the hive. Contamination typically occurs during handling, specifically during activities such as honey harvesting, grading, transportation, storage, processing, and packaging. Proper handling techniques to avoid contamination can be improved through training beekeepers with qualified personnel. A research study on the physico-chemical properties of Zimbabwean honey, conducted in 2023 by a team from Chinhoyi University of Technology, asserts that Manicaland honey is suitable for the export market,” said Dr Mutisi, adding that the province produces around 1 000 tonnes of honey per year, and several families are leading decent lives through this trade.
He said there is need to train farmers on commercial apiculture.
“Apiculture cuts across all the seven districts due to unique and diverse flora that bees favour. The annual honey production in Manicaland is estimated to be around 1000 tonnes, with an average yield of 10kg per beehive dotted across the province. However, this number might be understated since some of the honey produced is not declared, and some beekeepers remain unregistered within the honey value chain. There is great potential in the sector.
“Beekeepers must receive the need based assessment to improve their skills and knowledge. Such training should focus on the technical, marketing and the business aspects of beekeeping. To supply the identified market, sustainability issues should be addressed as well through focusing on the environmental, economic and social spheres,” said Dr Mutisi.
